The Top 20 Rolling Stones Deep Cuts: #15, “Slipping Away”

15. “Slipping Away”

The Stones’ output from the ’80s on often suffers by comparison to what has come before (but, then again, whose output could stand up to that legacy?) Some of the most reliable pleasures in that time, however, have occurred when Richards takes on his obligatory ballad on each album. This slow one that closes out Steel Wheels is a real gem. Keith isn’t mourning a lost love here so much as he’s mourning lost time. It’s an affecting bit of self-reflection that seems far more accurate than the Keef caricature.

Previously: “You Got The Silver”