The 10 Most Underrated Rolling Stones Songs (In Chronological Order)

Quick Details

(Chronological Order)
Song · Year · Album

No Expectations · 1968 · Beggars Banquet
Monkey Man · 1969 · Let It Bleed
You Got the Silver · 1969 · Let It Bleed
Sway · 1971 · Sticky Fingers
Sweet Virginia · 1972 · Exile on Main St.
Loving Cup · 1972 · Exile on Main St.
Shine a Light · 1972 · Exile on Main St.
Saint of Me · 1997 · Bridges to Babylon
Doom and Gloom · 2012 · GRRR!
Dreamy Skies · 2023 · Hackney Diamonds

When people talk about the Rolling Stones, the conversation usually centers on the same towering landmarks — the iconic singles, the instantly recognizable riffs, and the songs that have become part of everyday culture. Albums like Exile on Main St. are rightly treated as untouchable classics, and many of the songs on them are deeply respected by critics and longtime Stones fans.

But recognition doesn’t always travel evenly. Even within an album with near-mythic status, individual songs can still live just outside the spotlight. Several of the tracks on this list — especially those pulled from Exile on Main St. — are loved by fans and praised in reviews, yet remain far less recognizable to the everyday listener than staples like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Gimme Shelter,” or “Paint It Black.” They deserve to be heard just as often, and this list is about giving those songs their flowers.

Presented here in chronological order, these tracks trace the Stones’ evolution while shining a light on moments that deserve more attention than they usually receive.

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No Expectations (1968 · Beggars Banquet)

One of the most quietly devastating songs in the Stones’ catalog, “No Expectations” strips everything down to its emotional core. Built on acoustic blues and aching slide guitar, it captures resignation rather than anger — a rare emotional space for the band at the time. Overshadowed by the grit of Beggars Banquet, this track often slips by unnoticed, yet it remains one of their most honest moments.

Monkey Man (1969 · Let It Bleed)

Quite possibly my favorite Stones song. Raw, snarling, and overflowing with attitude, “Monkey Man” sounds like the Stones at their most dangerous. The distorted piano and restless groove give the song an edge that never quite resolves. Surrounded by giants on Let It Bleed, this track rarely gets singled out — yet it perfectly captures the chaos and swagger of the band at the end of the 1960s.

Explore “Monkey Man” further with our song review.

Monkey Man Lyrics Meaning: The Rolling Stones Mock Their Own Reputation

You Got the Silver (1969 · Let It Bleed)

With Keith Richards stepping into the spotlight, “You Got the Silver” changes the emotional temperature completely. It feels intimate, weary, and deeply personal — more confession than performance. Among the Stones’ blues-rooted tracks, this one stands out for its vulnerability, yet it’s often overshadowed by the album’s louder, more iconic moments.

Sway (1971 · Sticky Fingers)

“Sway” carries a heavy, almost cinematic weight. Mick Taylor’s guitar work soars while the song simmers with tension just beneath the surface. It never explodes — instead, it slowly tightens its grip. Beneath the slow burn, the song traces obsession and paranoia, with Jagger singing from the perspective of someone emotionally cornered and spiraling. On an album packed with legendary songs, “Sway” often gets overlooked, despite being one of the most emotionally charged tracks the band ever recorded.

Sweet Virginia (1972 · Exile on Main St.)

Loose, warm, and soaked in soul, “Sweet Virginia” is classic Stones country-rock at its most natural. Opening with that instantly disarming harmonica line, the song feels like a late-night conversation that drifts into the early morning. It’s a reminder of how effortlessly the Stones could blend heartbreak and comfort into the same breath. Like much of Exile on Main St., its power lies in how easily it settles in rather than how loudly it announces itself.

Loving Cup (1972 · Exile on Main St.)

“Loving Cup” shows a surprisingly open-hearted side of the Stones. Gradually building from restraint to release, it feels earnest and joyful without ever becoming sentimental. Though well-loved by fans, it often lives in the shadow of Exile’s reputation rather than being recognized for its emotional lift and sincerity.

Explore “Loving Cup” further here:

What Is “Loving Cup” About? The Rolling Stones’ Warm and Soulful Gem

Shine A Light (1972 · Exile on Main St.)

“Shine A Light” is a song that’s well respected by critics and longtime Stones fans, yet it will always feel underrated to me. It’s an epic, slow-burning masterpiece — the kind of song that feels bigger every time you hear it. What amazes me is that it is not known by every living soul. In another universe, this would be a track everyone knows, one that gets regular radio play and sits alongside the band’s most celebrated work. Instead, it lives quietly within Exile on Main St., waiting to be rediscovered. A song this powerful deserves to be heard by far more people than it ever has.

Explore “Shine A Light” further in our deep dive song review:

Shine A Light Lyrics Meaning: The Rolling Stones’ Gospel Tribute to Brian Jones

Saint of Me (1997 · Bridges to Babylon)

Late-era Stones don’t always get the attention they deserve, and “Saint of Me” is a perfect example why they should. Driven by a confident groove and sharp lyrics, the song sounds energized and self-aware. It’s the sound of a band fully aware of its legacy — and still pushing forward instead of leaning on it.

Doom and Gloom (2012 · GRRR!)

Fast, aggressive, and unapologetic, “Doom and Gloom” proves the Stones never lost their edge. Often dismissed as a compilation-era track, it hits with real urgency and bite. It’s a reminder that even decades into their career, the band could still sound restless, relevant, and ready to snarl. A fantastic late career hard-rocker.

Dreamy Skies (2023 · Hackney Diamonds)

“Dreamy Skies” may be the newest song on this list, but it sounds like it’s been sitting in the Stones’ catalog for decades. Built around an unmistakable old-school country feel, it calls back to the band’s roots in a way that feels natural rather than nostalgic. In an era where late-career releases often try to prove relevance, this track does the opposite — it leans into tradition, and that’s exactly what makes it so effective. When the Stones sound this comfortable in their own skin, it doesn’t get much better than that.

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Final Thoughts

There’s no shortage of great songs in the Rolling Stones’ catalog, and this list barely scratches the surface. Narrowing things down to just ten tracks doesn’t come close to capturing the number of truly amazing, underrated songs written by a band that’s been making timeless music for decades.

These picks aren’t meant to redefine the Stones or rewrite their legacy — they’re simply moments that reward closer listening. And with a catalog this deep, there are plenty more songs that deserve their own spotlight. This won’t be the last time I revisit underrated Rolling Stones tracks.

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