The Rolling Stones’ Chart-Topping ‘It’s Only Rock ’n Roll’ Album Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

On this day (October 18) in 1974, The Rolling Stones released their 14th U.S. (and 12th U.K.) studio album, It’s Only Rock ’n Roll. The album became the British rock legends’ fifth album to top the Billboard 200.

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll reached the No. 1 spot on November 23, 1974. It knocked John Lennon’s Walls and Bridges from the pinnacle of the chart, and spent one week at No. 1 before being replaced by Elton John’s Greatest Hits compilation.

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It’s Only Rock ’n Roll was the last Rolling Stones album to feature guitarist Mick Taylor before Taylor’s December 1974 exit from the band. The album also included a collaboration with Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood, who eventually replaced Taylor in The Stones.

The album featured two hit singles, “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)” and a cover of The Temptations’ 1966 hit “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)” pealed at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” reached No. 17. The Temptations’ original version was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard R&B chart, and peaked at No. 13 on the Hot 100.

More About “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)”

The initial tracks for “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)” featured Jagger collaborating with a number of well-known musicians outside of The Rolling Stones, including Wood. Ronnie had been recording his debut solo album at his home studio in London, and various guest artists had been stopping by the sessions.

While Jagger was at Wood’s studio one evening, they recorded a jam that became “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll.” Also contributing to the track were David Bowie on backing vocals, session bassist Willie Weeks, and Faces drummer Kenney Jones.

The Stones eventually took the tape from the session and Richards added backing and guitar to the track. Although Wood apparently came up with the music for “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll,” on The Stones’ album, the song is credited to Jagger-Richards. A parenthetical note “(inspiration by Ronnie Wood)” was later added.

“It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)” was released as an advance single in July 1974.

More Details About the Album

Another noteworthy track on It’s Only Rock ’n Roll is the gem “Dance Little Sister,” which was release as the B-side of the “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” single. The album also features one of The Stones’ early forays into reggae, “Luxury.”

Besides the Stones’ core members and the artists who contributed to “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll,” other musicians featured on the album included percussionist Ray Cooper and keyboardists Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins, and Billy Preston. The Philly soul vocal group Blue Magic also appears on the song “If You Really Want to Be My Friend.”

The album’s cover was painted by Belgian artist Guy Peellaert, who also created the cover of David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs. The It’s Only Rock ’n Roll cover depicts The Stones as “rock deities,” walking down the staircase of a temple. The band members are surrounded by young women and girls wearing Grecian clothing.

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll was produced by Jagger and Richards under their pseudonym The Glimmer Twins. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in 2000 for sales of 1 million copies.

It’s Only Rock ’n Roll Track List:

1. “If You Can’t Rock Me”
2. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
3. “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll (But I Like It)”
4. “Till the Next Goodbye”
5. “Time Waits for No One”
6. “Luxury”
7. “Dance Little Sister”
8. “If You Really Want to Be My Friend”
9. “Short and Curlies”
10. “Fingerprint File”