Just a mention of the Rolling Stones and folks instantly think
of the long line of their worldwide hits written by Mick & Keith
such as“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Ruby Tuesday”,
“Honky Tonk Women", Angie" and "Get Off My Cloud"“.
Yet over the years, they have also shown the superb ability of
choosing and reviving outstanding earlier blues and R&B songs.
Indeed, in 2016, they released an entire album of covers of vintage blues
songs under the title “Blue And Lonesome”, named after a Little Walter original.
Here’s a group of my personal picks of just a few of the
outstanding classic records and songs that the Stones went on to redefine:
IT’S ALL OVER NOW
(Bobby Womack/Shirley Womack)
by The Valentinos
(SAR: 1964)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ‘64;
their version, recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago, charted here at #26 in ’64.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU
(Willie Dixon)
by Muddy Waters & His Guitar
Pro: Leonard & Phil Chess
(Chess: 1954).
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64.
LITTLE RED ROOSTER
(Willie Dixon)
by Howlin’ Wolf
Pro: Leonard & Phil Chess
(Chess: 1961)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64.
COME ON
(Chuck Berry)
by Chuck Berry
(Chess: 1961)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’63. In Britain,
this was the Stones’ first chart success, climbing to #21 that year.
I’M A KING BEE
(James Moore)
by Slim Harpo
(Excello: 1957)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64. Slim Harpo
was a pseudonym for James Moore.
MERCY, MERCY
(Don Covay/Ronald Alonzo Miller)
By Don Covay & The Goodtimers
Pro: Herb Abramson
(Rosemart: 1964)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ‘65 ;
their version was recorded at Chess Studios in Chicago.
FORTUNE TELLER
(Naomi Neville)
by Benny Spellman
Pro: Allen Toussaint
(Minit: 1962)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’63.
Naomi Neville was a pseudonym of Allen Toussaint.
htt ps://youtu.be/rXJymTuP98gy
DOWN THE ROAD A PIECE
(Don Raye)
by The Will Bradley Trio feat. Ray McKinley & Don Raye
(Columbia: 1940)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’65.
The 1940’s boogie woogie favorite was later updated by
the rockabilly/western swing pianist & singer Merrill Moore.
by Merrill Moore
(Capitol: 1955)
EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBOBY TO LOVE
(Bert Berns/Solomon Burke/Jerry Wexler)
by Solomon Burke
Pro: Bert Berns
(Atlantic: 1964)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64.
HARLEM SHUFFLE
(Earl Nelson/Bob Relf)
by Bob & Earl
Pro: Fred Smith, Bob Relf & Earl Nelson
Arr: Gene Page
(Marc: 1963)
Recorded by the Stones for their Rolling Stones label in ‘85;
their version charted here at #5 in ’86.
POISON IVY
(Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller)
by The Coasters
Pro: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
(Atco: 1959)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’63.
HONEST I DO
(Jimmy Reed)
by Jimmy Reed
Pro: Calvin Carter
(Vee-Jay: 1957)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64.
NOT FADE AWAY
(Charles Hardin/Norman Petty)
by The Crickets
Pro: Norman Petty
(Brunswick: 1957)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ‘64;
their version charted here at #48 that year.
Charles Hardin was part of Buddy Holly’s real name.
I CAN’T BE SATISFIED
(Muddy Waters)
by Muddy Waters
(Aristocrat: 1948)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’65.
TIME IS ON MY SIDE
(Norman Meade/Jimmy Norman)
by Kai Winding with Vocal Group
Pro: Creed Taylor
Arr: Jerry Ragovoy
Dir: Garry Sherman
(Verve: 1963)
by Irma Thomas
Pro: Eddie Ray
(Imperial: 1964)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64;
their version charted here at #6 in ’64. ‘Norman Meade’
was a pseudonym of Jerry Ragovoy. The original recording by
trombonist Kai Winding only featured a portion of the lyric.
The Stones’ version included additional lyrics to Ragovoy’s
original written by Jimmy Norman and as performed by Irma Thomas.
YOU BETTER MOVE ON
(Arthur Alexander)
by Arthur Alexander
Pro: Rick Hall
(Dot: 1961)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’63.
AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG
(Eddie Holland/Norman Whitfield)
by The Temptations
Pro: Norman Whitfield
(Gordy: 1966)
Recorded by the Stones for their Rolling Stones label in ‘74;
their version charted here at #17 that same year.
MONA
(Ellas McDaniel)
by Bo Diddley
(Checker: 1957)
Recorded by the Stones for UK Decca in ’64.
Ellas McDaniel was Bo Diddley’s real name.
GOING TO A GO-GO
(Smokey Robinson/Warren Moore/Robert Rogers/Marv Tarplin)
by The Miracles
Pro: Warren Moore & Smokey Robinson
(Tamla: 1965)
Recorded by the Stones for their Rolling Stones label in ‘81;
their version charted here at #25 in ’82.
As in all my postings, the recordings listed and referenced above
are in no way intended as definitive collections.
Please send any comments or suggestions to
Rock on.
Alan Warner
© Alan Warner, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication
of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner
is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is
given to Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.