If You Try Sometimes...: Listening to the Rolling Stones, Song by Song

by Benjamin Marlin

This book is about every song the Rolling Stones recorded in the studio and released between 1963 - 2024, and every solo song Mick Jagger and Keith Richards released during the same time. That’s 512 songs, recorded across 60 years.

For each song in this book - all 512 of them - I attempt to describe what the song sounds like, identify the Stones’ (likely) goal in making the song, and, most importantly, identify the elements of the song that contribute to its success or to its failure. Why does this song still thrill us? Why does it disappoint?

I'm writing this book as a listener, and as a fan, though not an uncritical one. My hope is that reading this book will give you a deeper appreciation of the Rolling Stones’ music and artistic legacy. Maybe you’ll notice songs you hadn’t noticed, or you’ll hear aspects of familiar songs that you’d never caught before. Maybe there are songs you’ve known were great (or terrible), and this book will help you put words to why they affect (or annoy) you the way they do. Maybe you’ll learn about discographical nooks and crannies that help illuminate the music you already know, or that are just fun to discover and learn about. Hopefully, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what’s made this great band tick for 60-plus years.

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Thomas Thieme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read. It's essentially a consumer guide for the complete releases of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The author is not shy about offering his opinion and in the words of the Dude ,"That's just, like, your opinion, man". Fair enough. He's actually more generous than I am of their work past the 70's. The Stones record a lot of material that doesn't get used, the entire "Tattoo You" album itself was comprised of many of such recordings. These unreleased tracks have turned up as b-sides you might not be aware of. (Remember them?) This book will definitely appeal to completists (like me). Including all the many live band releases and work of other band members past and present would no doubt have doubled the size of the book. (Although I think it would have been good to include the Ron Wood solo album tracks that Jagger and Richards wrote or co-wrote. They would have fit just fine on any Stones album.) Along with offering opinions, however, he also includes who plays what. The bass duties get passed around so much in this band it's no wonder Bill Wyman walked away. Another useful aspect is that Marlin points out when other band members sit some numbers out. There are often times either Jagger or Richards are not present. Surprisingly, it seems like mainstay Ron Wood has been on slightly more tracks than either of them from the mid 80s on: It's often either Mick and Ron or Keith and Ron, and even Charlie was supplanted once in a while. So even though Ron Wood has been "the new guy" for the past fifty years, it's arguable he's also been their glue. Supplying facts like this enables you to shape your own insights and perspectives on the band. I think Marlin encourages readers to point out omissions so here goes: Jagger's duet with Peter Tosh "Don't Look Back" and "Too Many Cooks" both conveniently found on the "Very Best of Mick Jagger" compilation. Also Keith Richards' "Wingless Angels" album although good luck picking out his contribution there. The book gratifyingly goes right up to their current release "Hackney Diamonds". It's only $2.99 on kindle, what do you have to lose?

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Marlin is back and better than ever! His signature witty commentary will keep you laughing and his reverence for the musicality and history of the band will have you re-listening to their hits with fresh ears. This book - this encyclopedia - is a vital companion for new listeners and avid fans. Satisfaction guaranteed!