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The 15 Best Rolling Stones Songs of the 21st Century
Billboard has published a list ranking the 15 best Rolling Stones songs of the 21st century, highlighting how the veteran rock band has favoured quality over quantity in the modern era. Despite releasing only three studio albums of original material since 2000, plus a blues covers record, the Stones have continued to produce standout work, with guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Wood developing an increasingly refined partnership and Mick Jagger's lyrics taking on greater reflectiveness as the band members age.
The countdown spans releases from the 2002 compilation Forty Licks through to A Bigger Bang, Blue & Lonesome, Hackney Diamonds and the newest record, Foreign Tongues, totalling 58 tracks in all. Songs discussed include the chart-topping "Don't Stop" and "Rough Justice", alongside deeper cuts such as Richards' "Losing My Touch". The list also acknowledges the band's continuity following drummer Charlie Watts' death in 2021, noting his lasting influence on the two albums released since.
In short
- Billboard ranks the Rolling Stones' top 15 songs since 2000.
- List spans Forty Licks (2002) to new album Foreign Tongues.
- Notes band's evolution and legacy following Charlie Watts' 2021 death.
Explained simply
The Rolling Stones are one of the world's most famous rock bands, having performed and recorded music for over six decades. This week, music publication Billboard released a ranked list of the 15 greatest songs the band has released since 2000, drawing from their albums and compilations of the 21st century.
Despite their legendary status, the Stones have released relatively few new albums in recent years—only three studio albums with original material since 2000, plus one blues covers album. Yet the band has maintained a reputation for quality, with founding members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards continuing to record and perform alongside guitarist Ron Wood. The list includes both popular tracks and lesser-known songs, showing the breadth of their modern output.
The Stones have also navigated significant changes in recent years, including the death of long-time drummer Charlie Watts in 2021. Their most recent album, Foreign Tongues, marks their latest chapter as a working band, demonstrating their ability to remain creatively active well into their later years.