Top fourteen songs of the Rolling Stones, according to me, continued: 7. "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZPA_AKsC1A): I think the title says it all, and what a great video. One question: Why is Charlie smiling so much? 6. "Ventilator Blues" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ozNANFiNA): This one provides the counter-argument to the song in spot #7. It's both great rock and roll and high art. 5. "Bitch" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtnxvpIEg8w): A ridiculous groove right off the top, a wonderful Arif Mardin horn arrangement, a great vocal, and Charlie and band locked in throughout. 4. "Memory Motel" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7so3BNXUE0I): Shows that the heart of the Stones is the song-writing. Just a beautiful tune, with a great second lead vocal from Keith. 3. "Moonlight Mile" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugYzDqQtdHU): Another beautiful ballad, wonderfully played. Listen for Mick Taylor's slide contributions, a great string arrangement and Jagger's excellent acoustic playing. 2. "Gimme Shelter" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhBpUJcpiCg): A once-in-a-lifetime recording of a perfect song. 1. "Let It Loose" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrCiKD-cBvo): It's just always been my favourite Stones song.

I have one other thing to say in my brief defense of the Rolling Stones: At times, it may not be clear why they are so famous. Other groups have singers who dance around, and wild-looking guitarists, and they play concerts and make recordings as well. And of course, in our time fame itself has become an art form, as the media and technology work together to make Warhol's famous prediction look like a statement of fact. But the reality is this: the Rolling Stones aren't famous for their life-styles or their clothes, or any other peripheral matters (that have been emulated countless times); the Rolling Stones are famous because they can play like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtnxvpIEg8w