Rolling Stones Reignite the Fire with “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll”
So here’s the thing—when you talk about The Rolling Stones, you’re not just talking about a band. You’re talking about a living piece of rock history, a group that’s redefined music over and over. And yet, sometimes, even legends get overlooked. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll , released during what some would call a transitional period for the band, is one of those albums that never quite got the flowers it deserved. But let me tell you, this record is far more than its title suggests.
At the time, The Stones were in a weird space. They were coming off the wild success of Sticky Fingers and Goats Head Soup , both phenomenal in their own right. But internally, there were cracks forming—producer Jimmy Miller, a longtime collaborator, stepped away. Keith Richards later said there just wasn’t any excitement left in the room. So the band took a risk. They shifted things around, went back to basics in some ways, and leaned hard into that raw, electric spirit that had defined their live shows. And what came out was It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll —a bold, gritty, and surprisingly introspective piece of work.
Right from the opening track, If You Can’t Rock Me , you can feel that studio energy. It’s like they bottled up the chaos of a Stones gig and let it explode in the booth. There's a certain unfiltered honesty here, and it’s that honesty that gives the album its staying power. It's rough around the edges, sure—but intentionally so. This wasn’t about perfection; it was about expression.
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What really stands out, though, is how It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll plays with contrasts. You’ve got the swagger and strut of the title track—arguably one of the most anthemic songs they ever wrote—right next to deeply emotional pieces like Till the Next Goodbye and Time Waits for No One . That second track, in particular, hits you with a kind of wistful sincerity that wasn’t always common in rock at the time. Jagger isn’t afraid to plead, to show vulnerability. That’s not just refreshing—it’s rare.
And let’s not overlook the musicianship. Richards is on fire throughout, his guitar work unpredictable and raw. Charlie Watts, ever the silent backbone of the band, keeps everything tight and swinging. Even when the lyrics take a backseat, the instrumentation does the talking—like on Luxury or Dance Little Sister , tracks that groove harder than they probably get credit for.
In a way, this album is a metaphor for The Rolling Stones themselves. It says: we’re still here, we’re still loud, and we’re still evolving. It’s a celebration of the genre, sure—but it’s also a subtle critique. By calling the whole thing It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll , the band throws a little wink to the audience. Because they know—it’s never just rock and roll. It’s blood, sweat, soul, and sacrifice.
So yeah, maybe this isn’t the most famous record in their catalog. But it’s one of the smartest, most emotionally complex, and consistent works they’ve ever released. It’s a moment in time where the Stones weren’t chasing trends or hits. They were just making music because they had to . And when you listen closely, you can hear that need in every riff, every lyric, every beat.
In short, It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll is an underrated gem. If you haven’t sat down with it lately—or ever—do yourself a favor. Press play. Let it speak. Because this album? It still rocks, and it still matters.
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