Beggars Banquet cover art

  Studio Album · No. 11

Beggars Banquet Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1968 Decca Records / London Records 10 tracks 39 min

Produced by Jimmy Miller  ·  Engineered by Glyn Johns

Decca Records / London Records Roots RockCountry BluesHard Rock
90%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 9 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 9 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

90%
9 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 1 trackoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist90%
Composer90%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
3
Lyricists
1
Producers
1968
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Hall of Fame (1999, Inducted)
Data Insight

Every track is a Jagger/Richards original, and the album marks the start of the band's partnership with producer Jimmy Miller, who replaced the self-production era of Their Satanic Majesties Request. After the psychedelic detour, the songwriting swings hard back toward blues, country, and roots rock, heard in the acoustic 'No Expectations' and the slide-driven country-blues numbers. 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man' show Jagger and Richards stretching their writing into samba rhythm and overt political subject matter. The record is widely regarded as the opening of the band's strongest creative run.

Released December 6, 1968, Beggars Banquet marked the band's return to their blues roots and political edge under new producer Jimmy Miller. It opens with 'Sympathy for the Devil' and includes 'Street Fighting Man,' two of their most acclaimed tracks. The album was the last to feature Brian Jones as an active contributor before his dismissal and death in 1969.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Sympathy for the Devil
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
No Expectations
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Dear Doctor
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Parachute Woman
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Jigsaw Puzzle
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Street Fighting Man #48
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
Prodigal Son
Reverend Robert Wilkins Robert Timothy Wilkins Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Stray Cat Blues
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
9
Factory Girl
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
10
Salt of the Earth
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 6 contributors

KR
Keith Richards
Writer
On this album9 written
MP
Michael Philip Jagger
Writer
On this album9 written
MJ
Mick Jagger
Writer · Vocals
On this album9 written
RR
Reverend Robert Wilkins
Writer
On this album1 written
RT
Robert Timothy Wilkins
Writer
On this album1 written
JM
Jimmy Miller
Producer
On this album10 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Beggars Banquet

Who wrote the songs on Beggars Banquet?
All of the songs were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The album continued the all-originals approach the band had adopted, with the writing turning back toward blues and country roots.
Who produced Beggars Banquet?
Jimmy Miller produced the album. It was the first Rolling Stones record he produced, beginning a collaboration that ran through the band's most acclaimed early-1970s albums.
Why is Beggars Banquet called a return to roots?
After the psychedelic experiment of Their Satanic Majesties Request, Beggars Banquet swung back to roots rock, country blues, and hard rock. The album leans on acoustic guitar, slide, and blues structures rather than studio effects.
How did Street Fighting Man chart?
'Street Fighting Man' peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Some American radio stations were wary of its politically charged lyrics, which limited its airplay and chart climb.
Was Sympathy for the Devil a hit single?
'Sympathy for the Devil' was not a major chart hit on release, but it became a rock radio staple and one of the band's signature songs. Built on a samba-influenced rhythm, it opens the album and remains among Jagger and Richards's most celebrated compositions.
Is Beggars Banquet in the Grammy Hall of Fame?
Yes. Beggars Banquet was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, an honor recognizing recordings of lasting historical significance.
What are the certifications for Beggars Banquet?
The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million US sales, and Gold in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

Sources

Wikipedia: Beggars Banquet Wikipedia: Sympathy for the Devil MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones