Photo of The Rolling Stones — Photo: Multiple contributors · CC BY 3.0

Band · The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World

The Rolling Stones

Active1962-present

OriginLondon, England, UK

Albums29

Tracks340

Most frequent collaborator: Andrew Loog Oldham · 110 tracks

RockBlues RockHard RockClassic RockBlues

73%

Authorship

Songwriter

Holds writing credit on 248 of 340 tracks

Did the Rolling Stones write their own songs?

Mostly, and increasingly so. The Stones are credited on about 75% of their catalogue, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards writing nearly all the originals from Aftermath (1966) on, including 'Gimme Shelter,' 'Sympathy for the Devil,' and 'Brown Sugar.' The lower overall figure comes from their first few albums, which were dominated by blues and R&B covers of Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, and others.

By the Numbers

29

Studio Albums

340

Tracks Credited

73%

Self-Written

250M+

Records Sold

64

Years Active

137

Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 248 / 340 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 340 tracks: how many The Rolling Stones wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

The Rolling Stones has a writing credit73%

70%

3%

27%

Sole author237tracks70%

Co-written11tracks3%

Outside writers92tracks27%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

The Rolling Stones's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 340 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)73%

Composer (music)73%

Producer43%

Performer94%

Member Credit Breakdown share of tracks each member is credited on

Percentage of all 340 tracks, across every album, where each member holds a credit - split by role.

Member	Period	Lyrics	Music	Production	Performance
Mick Jagger	1962-present	73%	73%	43%	94%
Keith Richards	1962-present	73%	73%	43%	0%
Ronnie Wood	1975-present	2%	2%	0%	0%
Brian Jones Died July 3, 1969	1962-1969 (died July 3, 1969)	2%	2%	3%	0%
Ian Stewart Died December 12, 1985	1962-1985 (died December 12, 1985)	0%	0%	0%	0%
Mick Taylor	1969-1974	0%	0%	0%	0%
Bill Wyman	1962-1993	2%	2%	3%	0%
Charlie Watts Died August 24, 2021	1963-2021 (died August 24, 2021)	2%	2%	3%	0%
Steve Jordan	2021-present	0%	0%	0%	0%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

The Rolling Stones's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 73%

25%

25%

42%

25%

33%

33%

50%

100%

100%

100%

90%

89%

90%

89%

100%

90%

88%

90%

100%

100%

100%

80%

100%

100%

92%

100%

0%

92%

50%

1964The Rolling Stones

1964England's Newest Hit Makers

196412 X 5

1965The Rolling Stones No. 2

1965The Rolling Stones, Now!

1965Out of Our Heads

1965December's Children (And Everybody's)

1966Aftermath

1967Between the Buttons

1967Their Satanic Majesties Request

1968Beggars Banquet

1969Let It Bleed

1971Sticky Fingers

1972Exile on Main St.

1973Goats Head Soup

1974It's Only Rock 'n Roll

1976Black and Blue

1978Some Girls

1980Emotional Rescue

1981Tattoo You

1983Undercover

1986Dirty Work

1989Steel Wheels

1994Voodoo Lounge

1997Bridges to Babylon

2005A Bigger Bang

2016Blue & Lonesome

2023Hackney Diamonds

2026Foreign Tongues

Early · 53% written

Mid · 92% written

Late · 83% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

58%

1960s

The Rolling Stones, England's Newest Hit Makers +10 more

91%

1970s

Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. +4 more

96%

1980s

Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You +3 more

96%

1990s

Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to Babylon

100%

2000s

A Bigger Bang

0%

2010s

Blue & Lonesome

81%

2020s

Hackney Diamonds, Foreign Tongues

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where The Rolling Stones sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

The Rolling Stones

Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

Elvis Presley1%

Aretha Franklin14%

Eric Clapton40%

Michael Jackson51%

Santana59%

Fleetwood Mac88%

Queen99%

73%The Rolling Stones

Pure Performer0%

Songwriter~50%

Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Not Fade Away

England's Newest Hit Makers

Written by Buddy Holly, Norman Petty, Charles Hardin Holley, Norman Vincent Petty

Outside writers

Tell Me (You're Coming Back)

England's Newest Hit Makers

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

It's All Over Now

12 X 5

Written by Bobby Womack, Shirley Womack, Robert Dwayne Womack

Outside writers

Time Is on My Side

12 X 5

Written by Jerry Ragovoy

Outside writers

Heart of Stone

The Rolling Stones, Now!

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Get Off of My Cloud

December's Children (And Everybody's)

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

As Tears Go By

December's Children (And Everybody's)

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Andrew Loog Oldham, Michael Philip Jagger

Co-wrote

Mother's Little Helper

Aftermath

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

She's a Rainbow

Their Satanic Majesties Request

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Street Fighting Man

Beggars Banquet

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Brown Sugar

Sticky Fingers

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Tumbling Dice

Exile on Main St.

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Happy

Exile on Main St.

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Angie

Goats Head Soup

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)

It's Only Rock 'n Roll

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Fool to Cry

Black and Blue

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Miss You

Some Girls

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Beast of Burden

Some Girls

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Shattered

Some Girls

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Emotional Rescue

Emotional Rescue

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

She's So Cold

Emotional Rescue

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Start Me Up

Tattoo You

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Waiting on a Friend

Tattoo You

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Undercover of the Night

Undercover

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Harlem Shuffle

Dirty Work

Written by Bob Relf, Earl Nelson, Robert Relf, Ernest Nelson

Outside writers

Mixed Emotions

Steel Wheels

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Love Is Strong

Voodoo Lounge

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Out of Tears

Voodoo Lounge

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Anybody Seen My Baby?

Bridges to Babylon

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, k.d. lang, Ben Mink, Michael Philip Jagger, Kathryn Dawn Lang

Co-wrote

Streets of Love

A Bigger Bang

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Just Your Fool

Blue & Lonesome

Written by Buddy Johnson, Woodrow Wilson Johnson

Outside writers

Angry

Hackney Diamonds

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Andrew Watt, Michael Philip Jagger

Co-wrote

Sweet Sounds of Heaven

Hackney Diamonds

Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Michael Philip Jagger

Wrote it

Discography 29 albums

The Rolling Stones

Decca Records

England's Newest Hit Makers

London Records

12 X 5

London Records

The Rolling Stones No. 2

Decca Records

The Rolling Stones, Now!

London Records

Out of Our Heads

Decca Records / London Records

December's Children (And Everybody's)

London Records

Aftermath

Decca Records / London Records

Between the Buttons

Decca Records / London Records

Their Satanic Majesties Request

Decca Records / London Records

Beggars Banquet

Decca Records / London Records

Let It Bleed

Decca Records / London Records

Sticky Fingers

Rolling Stones Records

Exile on Main St.

Rolling Stones Records

Goats Head Soup

Rolling Stones Records

It's Only Rock 'n Roll

Rolling Stones Records

Black and Blue

Rolling Stones Records

Some Girls

Rolling Stones Records

Emotional Rescue

Rolling Stones Records

Tattoo You

Rolling Stones Records

Undercover

Rolling Stones Records

Dirty Work

Rolling Stones Records / CBS Records

Steel Wheels

Rolling Stones Records / CBS Records

Voodoo Lounge

Virgin Records

Bridges to Babylon

Virgin Records

A Bigger Bang

Virgin Records

Blue & Lonesome

Polydor Records

Hackney Diamonds

Polydor Records

Foreign Tongues

Polydor Records

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

The Rolling Stones340 tracks

AL110 JM57 DW52 AW26 EE24 CK22

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. AL Andrew Loog Oldham · JM Jimmy Miller · DW Don Was · AW Andrew Watt · EE Eric Easton · CK Chris Kimsey

The Writers & Producers Behind The Rolling Stones 6 key collaborators

Andrew Loog Oldham

The Rolling Stones / England's Newest Hit Makers / 12 X 5 / The Rolling Stones No. 2110 tracks

Beggars Banquet / Let It Bleed / Sticky Fingers / Exile on Main St.57 tracks

Voodoo Lounge / Bridges to Babylon / A Bigger Bang / Blue & Lonesome52 tracks

Hackney Diamonds / Foreign Tongues26 tracks

The Rolling Stones / England's Newest Hit Makers24 tracks

Undercover / Steel Wheels22 tracks

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

The Stones' writing credits tell a clear evolutionary story: their first five UK albums (1964-1965) were dominated by American blues, R&B, and rock and roll covers from Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, Marvin Gaye, and others. Aftermath (1966) was the turning point, the first UK album composed entirely of Jagger-Richards originals. From that point forward, nearly every track across their catalog carries the Jagger-Richards imprint, making them one of the most prolific songwriting partnerships in rock. Notable exceptions include the covers album Blue & Lonesome (2016) and a handful of tracks where individual band members (Brian Jones, Ronnie Wood, Bill Wyman) received sole or co-writing credits. The Stones rarely credited outside writers after 1966; their catalog is a nearly unbroken run of Jagger-Richards compositions.

Quick Facts

SalesOne of the best-selling bands of all time, with estimated album sales of more than 250 million
Rock HallInducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989
The Glimmer TwinsMick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote nearly all the band's original songs
Still goingHackney Diamonds (2023) became their fourteenth UK number-one album
LongevityActive since 1962, one of the longest-running bands in rock history

Creative Fingerprint

A covers band that became a songwriting machine: the Stones are credited on about 75% of their catalogue, held down by the blues and R&B covers on their early albums, then almost entirely self-written once Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took over from Aftermath on.

The Story

The Rolling Stones are a British rock band formed in London in 1962, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most enduring acts in rock history. Founded by vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards alongside multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones, bassist Bill Wyman, and drummer Charlie Watts, the group began as a blues-cover band before becoming one of the primary forces in the British Invasion of the mid-1960s. After Brian Jones's departure and death in 1969, guitarist Mick Taylor joined; Ronnie Wood replaced Taylor in 1975, establishing the lineup that persisted for decades. Charlie Watts passed away in August 2021; drummer Steve Jordan subsequently joined for touring and recording. The Jagger-Richards songwriting partnership, forged from 1964 onward, is among the most celebrated and enduring in popular music.

Awards & Recognition

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989

Ranked among the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated album sales over 250 million

Hackney Diamonds (2023) became their fourteenth UK number-one album

Widely introduced on stage as 'the greatest rock and roll band in the world'

Frequently Asked Questions The Rolling Stones

Did the Rolling Stones write their own songs?

Mostly, and increasingly so. The Stones are credited on about 75% of their catalogue, with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards writing nearly all the originals from Aftermath (1966) on, including 'Gimme Shelter,' 'Sympathy for the Devil,' and 'Brown Sugar.' The lower overall figure comes from their first few albums, which were dominated by blues and R&B covers of Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, and others.

Who wrote the Rolling Stones' songs?

Almost all originals were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, known as the Glimmer Twins. Jagger generally wrote the lyrics and Richards the music and riffs, a partnership that ranks among the most productive in rock history.

Who wrote 'Gimme Shelter'?

'Gimme Shelter,' the opening track of Let It Bleed (1969), was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Its apocalyptic mood made it one of the defining songs of the era and a staple of the band's live shows.

Why are the early Rolling Stones albums mostly covers?

The Stones started as a blues and R&B covers band, so their first albums leaned heavily on songs by Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon, and other American artists. Jagger and Richards were still learning to write, and it was not until Aftermath (1966) that they filled an album entirely with their own songs.

Who wrote 'Angie'?

'Angie,' from Goats Head Soup (1973), was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The acoustic ballad became a worldwide hit and one of the band's most covered songs.

How many albums have the Rolling Stones released?

This catalogue covers dozens of studio and regional releases across six decades, from their 1964 debut through Hackney Diamonds (2023), their first album of new original material in eighteen years.

What happened to Brian Jones and Charlie Watts?

Founding guitarist Brian Jones left the band and died on July 3, 1969, weeks later. Drummer Charlie Watts, a member from 1963, died on August 24, 2021, after which Steve Jordan took over on drums.

Are the Rolling Stones in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Yes. The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, cementing their status as one of the most influential and enduring rock bands ever.

What genre is the Rolling Stones?

The Rolling Stones play rock, blues rock, and hard rock rooted in American blues and R&B, a sound they carried from covers into originals like 'Satisfaction,' 'Gimme Shelter,' and 'Start Me Up.'

Sources

Wikipedia: The Rolling Stones