The Top 20 Rolling Stones Deep Cuts: #12, “Memory Motel”

12. “Memory Motel”

The Stones have done their share of road anthems, but few contain such a sublime mix of nostalgia and melancholy. It often gets overlooked because it appeared on Black And Blue, a transition album that saw the group auditioning guitarists to replace Mick Taylor. Although Ronnie Wood got the permanent gig, Harvey Mandel takes the lead here and does a great job. Jagger perfectly embodies the road-weary narrator, while Richards provides some counterpoint. Heck, this would have made the list if only for the “sha-la-la” backing vocals.

Previously: “No Expectations”