How to Dig the Rolling Stones

The Beatles were the good guys and the Rolling Stones were the bad guys to parents when the latter took their rhythm and blues influence to stardom in the mid-1960s. And though the title of "Greatest Rock Band of All Time" can be debated, many believe the brilliance and longevity of the Rolling Stones have earned them that distinction. Here's how to get the most out of your Stones listening experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Rolling Stones CDs from every era
• Rolling Stones DVDs that show concert footage

1. Try a chronological approach. Start by playing such CDs as "12 x 5," "Aftermath" and "Everybody's Children," and listen to such classics as "Tell Me," "Time Is on My Side," "Mother's Little Helper," "Under My Thumb," "Get Off of My Cloud," "Paint It Black" and "Satisfaction," which is still widely considered the greatest rock and roll song ever. Begin tracing the early development of lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards as song writers as their music becomes more complex.
2. Pop in psychedelic-era CDs "Flowers" and "Satanic Majesties Request," which was the Stones' answer to The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Focus on psychedelic tunes such as "Ruby Tuesday" and "She's a Rainbow," as well as the classic "Let's Spend the Night Together." Note how flawlessly the Stones begin changing with the times while leaving their own imprint.
3. Pop in CDs from their greatest era: 1969 to 1972. Listen to the complexity of the music from "Beggar's Banquet," "Let It Bleed," "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street," and rock out to songs like "Street Fighting Man," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Brown Sugar," "Wild Horses," "Gimme Shelter," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy." Appreciate the messages in the lyrics, which become increasingly meaningful.
4. Track their development in the 1970s, when the Stones became funkier. Put "Goat's Head Soup," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" and "Black and Blue" into your CD player and note the new style in songs such as "Angie," "Heartbreaker," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," "Fool to Cry" and "Hot Stuff."
5. The Stones in their later years Enjoy the occasional hit from the 1980s on, when the Rolling Stones became more of a force on tour than in the recording studio. Listen to "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden" from "Some Girls" and "Rock and a Hard Place" from "Steel Wheels."

Tips & Warnings

• The greatness of the Rolling Stones extends far past their hits. Explore each album, particularly those from their prime years of the late 1960s and early 1970s to fully appreciate their brilliance.