Mick Jagger names The Rolling Stones album which is still ‘one of his favourites’

An album from legendary rock band The Rolling Stones is one of Mick Jagger‘s “favourites.”

The frontman confirmed he was still fond of the album, and specified a song from it which the band has performed over 800 times. Jagger, speaking to Rolling Stone Magazine founder Jann Wenner, confirmed Let It Bleed was still a favourite. The track he mentioned was first performed on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in 1968, shortly before the song was released. Speaking to Wenner, the veteran frontman admitted it’s “a good song” and shared the reason he believed it was so popular with fans. Not only is it a song people can “identify with,” but it’s a piece of music which has a “sing-along chorus”, which makes all the difference.

Jagger named You Can’t Always Get What You Want as the song which best defines Let It Bleed, an album he still says is one of his “favourites”. Speaking of the song, Jagger said: “It’s a good song, even if I say so myself.” He was then asked why it was so popular, to which he suggested Jack Nitzsche was a big help.

Jagger explained: “‘Cause it’s got a very sing-along chorus. And people can identify with it: No one gets what they always want. It’s got a very good melody. It’s got very good orchestral touches that Jack Nitzsche helped with. So it’s got all the ingredients.”

Speaking of the song in a separate interview, Jagger added it was a difficult one for drummer Charlie Watts to get the hang of. Jagger explained: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want was something I just played on the acoustic guitar — one of those bedroom songs.

“It proved to be quite difficult to record because Charlie couldn’t play the groove, and so Jimmy Miller had to play the drums. I’d also had this idea of having a choir, probably a gospel choir, on the track, but there wasn’t one around at that point. Jack Nitzsche, or somebody, said that we could get the London Bach Choir, and we said, ‘That will be a laugh.'”

The song would debut on The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus, a show which featured The Rolling Stones being “overshadowed” by another UK act. A post to the r/RollingStones subreddit suggested The Who were far better that night.

The fan wrote: “They wrote: “Can’t believe the hate it’s getting. I first saw this when it was released in the 90s on TV. Just imagine a stoned 15-year-old me sitting watching the tv at night, can’t be arsed to get up and turn over (portable TV, no remote) and The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus comes on!!

“I’ve never heard of it, and all these acts, including John Lennon and Eric Clapton. I think it’s brilliant, I don’t think The Stones were outdone by The Who. Love it.”

Despite the show-stealing moment from The Who, the band would receive critical acclaim for Let It Bleed. It’s an album which Jagger still holds in high regard, telling Wenner: “I think it’s a good record. I’d put it as one of my favourites.”