OK, in honour of the fact that the Rolling Stones have been around for the longest span of any rock and roll act (fifty years in April of 2012), I'm going to give them four extra spots on my list of favourites (and I also can't seem to whittle it down any further). So here are my top fourteen Rolling Stones songs (in reverse order this time): 14. "Play With Fire" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfM_zmlGkco): I've always thought that this was the track that is most representative of the tone of their early stuff. It's also the first Stones song that I remember hearing. 13. "Beast of Burden" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi90jHzFb3E): I never get tired of this one. Great performances all around, with Charlie Watts' particularly gigantic. 12. "Hide Your Love" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo94dLN_0ZA): There are some r&b grooves that are found only on Rolling Stones records. A great song on a seriously under-valued album. Excellent playing from Mick Taylor, as usual. His secret weapon? His intention is always clear. 11. "Satisfaction" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7cHPy04s8): Without it, we may have not had the rest. Still a one-of-a-kind groove. 10. "Torn and Frayed" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHlD3hEHOqI): One of their most evocative songs lyrically, and for me, the center-piece of Exile. 9. "Dead Flowers" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1O69lY_tw4): Not many bands can play both the blues and country music, and be equally convincing. (Hmm, maybe that's their secret.) 8. "Monkey Man" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNY8eYmzdH4): Almost every element of what makes them great present on this one.

(The remaining seven tomorrow.)