Music Monday: 50 Years of “Sticky Fingers”

Rolling Stones
The 11th American studio album, released on April 23, 1971

The 1971 album that had the hits “Brown Sugar”, “Wild Horses” and “Bitch.” I don’t want to exclude the other 7 songs on the album which are brilliant and timeless, especially my favorite on this album “Moonlight Mile” The Rolling Stones started what would be their classic sound that continued for the next ten years. And we celebrate this album turning 50 years old.

Track Listing

  1. “Brown Sugar”
  2. “Sway”
  3. “Wild Horses”
  4. “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”
  5. “You Gotta Move”
  6. “Bitch”
  7. “I Got the Blues”
  8. “Sister Morphine”
  9. “Dead Flowers”
  10. “Moonlight Mile”

Ten Years and 8 Albums

Starting with “Sticky Fingers” The Rolling Stones released 8 albums in 10 years – 1971 to 1981. This era of album releases is often referred to as the post-Klein era, referring to Allen Klein who was the bands manager during their contract with ABKCO Records, which was owned by Klein. Anything released previously to “Sticky Fingers” was owned by ABKCO. Which is why you don’t see many re-issues from the Stones early period. Maybe some compilations will have some of the hits songs licensed.

One notable history here is that this album was the official introduction of the very recognizable lips and tongue logo.

Lips and Tongue logo

Below are listed the 8 albums

  • “Sticky Fingers” (1971)
  • “Exile On Main Street” (1972)
  • “Goats Head Soup” (1973)
  • “It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll” (1974)
  • “Black And Blue” (1976)
  • “Some Girls” (1978)
  • “Emotional Rescue” (1980)
  • “Tattoo You” (1981)

These 8 albums are my favorite of the Stones work. I regularly play them, especially “Exile On Main Street” which is my all-time favorite Stones album. I plan to review each one as it turns 50, so be prepared for the next 10 years of Rolling Stone album reviews, with “Tattoo You” showing up in a Music Monday blog post in 2031.

Virgin Releases from 1994

In 1994, Virgin Records released what were miniature versions of the original 8 albums from this ten year period. I have all of these re-issue CDs. Following below are pictures I took of the “Sticky Fingers” CD.

Sticky Fingers Virgin 1994
Sticky Fingers Virgin 1994
Front and back covers
Sticky Fingers Virgin 1994
Yes, just like the original LP vinyl release, that is a working zipper
Sticky Fingers Virgin 1994
Sticky Fingers Virgin 1994
Inside sleeve that holds the CD – front and back

I am so glad I got these when they came out almost 27 years ago.

Anyone want to chime in on their thoughts on this 50 year old album? Leave a comment below.

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