The Most Underrated Rolling Stones Songs – Part 2 (11–20) (In Chronological Order)

Quick Details

(Chronological Order)
Song · Year · Album

Salt of the Earth · 1968 · Beggars Banquet
Sister Morphine · 1971 · Sticky Fingers
Moonlight Mile · 1971 · Sticky Fingers
Ventilator Blues · 1972 · Exile on Main St.
100 Years Ago · 1973 · Goats Head Soup
Hand of Fate · 1976 · Black and Blue
Memory Motel · 1976 · Black and Blue
Before They Make Me Run · 1978 · Some Girls
Living in a Ghost Town · 2020 · Single
Bite My Head Off · 2023 · Hackney Diamonds

After putting together the first list of underrated Rolling Stones songs, it became obvious that ten tracks barely scratched the surface. For a band with a catalog this deep, there are simply too many great songs that live outside the spotlight to stop there.

This second installment digs even deeper. These songs tend to come up less often in casual conversations, yet they reveal just as much about the band’s range, emotion, and evolution. Once again, the list is presented in chronological order, continuing the idea of giving overdue flowers to songs that deserve far more recognition than they usually receive.

You can explore more of our Rolling Stones coverage here.

Support Nick & Tiff Music: As an affiliate these links help support the blog at no extra cost to you — and we truly appreciate it! Thank you for supporting.

Shop Rolling Stone Music, Books & Merch

Salt of the Earth (1968 · Beggars Banquet)

Closing Beggars Banquet with humility instead of swagger, “Salt of the Earth” feels almost like a mission statement in disguise. It’s communal, reflective, and surprisingly warm for a band often defined by rebellion. Overshadowed by the album’s sharper edges, this song remains one of the Stones’ most human moments.

Sister Morphine (1971 · Sticky Fingers)

Dark, sparse, and emotionally unsettling, “Sister Morphine” is one of the most haunting tracks the Stones ever recorded. Its stark storytelling and minimal arrangement leave no room for comfort. Often skipped due to its subject matter, it remains a powerful example of how fearless the band could be when confronting difficult themes.

Moonlight Mile (1971 · Sticky Fingers)

“Moonlight Mile” feels cinematic from the first note. Sweeping strings and weary vocals create a sense of isolation that lingers long after the song ends. While it has gained appreciation over the years, it still isn’t widely recognized by everyday listeners — despite being one of the most emotionally affecting songs in the band’s catalog.

Read our full review of “Moonlight Mile”

Moonlight Mile Lyrics Meaning: The Rolling Stones’ Most Reflective Song

Ventilator Blues (1972 · Exile on Main St.)

Raw and unpolished, “Ventilator Blues” sounds like it was recorded in the middle of a sweltering room. It doesn’t chase beauty — it chases feel. Lost inside the sprawl of Exile on Main St., this track captures the Stones at their grimiest and most physical.

100 Years Ago (1973 · Goats Head Soup)

Reflective and surprisingly fragile, “100 Years Ago” shows a side of the Stones that rarely takes center stage. Its mix of funk, melancholy, and self-examination feels ahead of its time. Often overshadowed by bigger moments on the album, it quietly stands as one of their most thoughtful songs.

Explore “100 Years Ago” further in our deep dive song review.

100 Years Ago Lyrics Meaning: The Rolling Stones Song About Growing Older

Hand of Fate (1976 · Black and Blue)

Sinister and relentless, “Hand of Fate” carries a sense of inevitability that never lets up. Its grinding groove and ominous atmosphere make it one of the darkest tracks in the Stones’ catalog. Sitting on an album frequently labeled transitional, this song often gets overlooked — yet it captures the band sounding genuinely dangerous.

Memory Motel (1976 · Black and Blue)

Tender and reflective, “Memory Motel” feels like looking back through a fogged window. The shared vocals add to its sense of distance and longing, giving the song an emotional weight that sneaks up on you. It’s one of the Stones’ most quietly resonant tracks, tucked away without much fanfare.

Before They Make Me Run (1978 · Some Girls)

Keith Richards takes the lead on “Before They Make Me Run,” delivering a defiant, world-weary statement that feels lived-in and real. It’s tough without being flashy, confident without being loud. While Some Girls is packed with big moments, this track often flies under the radar.

Living in a Ghost Town (2020 · Single)

Released during the early days of the COVID pandemic, “Living in a Ghost Town” felt eerily immediate without sounding rushed or disposable. The sense of isolation in the lyrics suddenly mirrored real life, giving the song an emotional weight that went beyond novelty. While it’s often remembered for the moment it arrived, it deserves recognition as a genuinely strong late-era Stones track — one that captured the mood of the time while still standing on its own musically.

Bite My Head Off (2023 · Hackney Diamonds)

Aggressive, loud, and unapologetic, “Bite My Head Off” proves the Stones can still sound confrontational decades into their career. The track is driven by a relentless bass line played by Paul McCartney, and despite it being a dream collaboration for so many rock fans, it’s a detail that somehow flew under the radar. The song doesn’t rely on nostalgia or restraint — it charges forward with pure attitude. On an album full of strong moments, this track stands out as a reminder that the band hasn’t lost its bite.

Get weekly album deep dives, playlists, and local music news — delivered free.

Final Thoughts

Even at twenty songs deep, this only begins to show how many underrated moments exist in the Rolling Stones’ catalog. Few bands have managed to create so much music that continues to reward deeper listening across multiple eras.

Part 2 leans darker, digs deeper, and highlights songs that often live well outside the spotlight. And with a catalog this rich, there are still plenty more tracks waiting to be rediscovered. This won’t be the last time the Stones’ underrated side gets its due.

Like, comment, or share — and if you’re a subscriber and would rather reply directly, just hit reply to the email. I read every message.

If this article resonated with you, consider sharing it with a friend who might appreciate it too. That kind of word-of-mouth support really helps the blog grow, and we’re grateful for it.

Explore more by Artist.

Bands & Artists | Explore Music Coverage by Artist – Nick & Tiff Music Blog