Artist: The Rolling Stones · Album: Beggars Banquet · Year: 1968 · Label: Decca · Rank: 185 / 500
Beggars Banquet marks a return to essentials. After psychedelic detours, the Rolling Stones reconnect with blues, folk, and raw rhythm — not as nostalgia, but as recalibration.
Songwriting with Teeth
“Sympathy for the Devil” reframes rock provocation as historical reflection, while “Street Fighting Man” channels unrest into compressed fury. The album feels alert, engaged, and keenly aware of its moment.
Stripped Arrangements, Clear Intent
Acoustic guitars and minimal percussion sharpen the focus. Nothing is decorative. The band sounds hungry again — leaner, more dangerous, more purposeful.
Legacy
Beggars Banquet opens the Stones’ imperial phase, setting the tone for a run of albums where confidence and craft align perfectly.