Exile on Main St. cover art

  Studio Album · No. 14

Exile on Main St. Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1972 Rolling Stones Records 18 tracks 67 min

Produced by Jimmy Miller  ·  Engineered by Andy Johns, Glyn Johns, Joe Zagarino, Jeremy Gee

Rolling Stones Records Rock and RollBlues RockHard RockCountry BluesBoogie-Woogie
89%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 18 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 18 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 18 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

89%
16 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 2 tracksoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 18 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist89%
Composer89%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

18
Tracks
5
Lyricists
1
Producers
1972
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Hall of Fame (2012, Inducted)
Data Insight

Across this sprawling double album the original songs are credited to Jagger/Richards, alongside reworkings of older blues and gospel material, most notably 'Stop Breaking Down,' a Robert Johnson blues reinterpreted by Jagger and Richards. The bulk of the basic tracks were cut in the basement of Keith Richards' villa Nellcote in the South of France using the Rolling Stones Mobile, with overdubs finished in Los Angeles. Jimmy Miller produced, and Mick Taylor's guitar runs through the record, including the loose interplay on the hit 'Tumbling Dice.' 'Happy' stands out as a Keith Richards-led vocal track that grew out of the Nellcote sessions.

Released May 12, 1972, Exile on Main St. is widely regarded as The Rolling Stones' masterpiece, a sprawling double album recorded largely in the basement of Keith Richards' rented villa in the south of France. Covers include Slim Harpo's 'Shake Your Hips' and Robert Johnson's 'Stop Breaking Down'; 'Ventilator Blues' credits Mick Taylor as co-writer.

Track Listing & Credits 18 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Rocks Off
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
Rip This Joint
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Shake Your Hips
Slim Harpo James Isaac Moore Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Casino Boogie
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Tumbling Dice #7
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Sweet Virginia
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
Torn and Frayed
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Sweet Black Angel
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
9
Loving Cup
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
10
Happy #22
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
11
Turd on the Run
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
12
Ventilator Blues
Mick JaggerKeith RichardsMick Taylor Michael Philip JaggerKeith RichardsMichael Kevin Taylor Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
13
I Just Want to See His Face
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
14
Let It Loose
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
15
All Down the Line
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
16
Stop Breaking Down
Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
17
Shine a Light
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
18
Soul Survivor
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 10 contributors

KR
Keith Richards
Writer
On this album16 written
MP
Michael Philip Jagger
Writer
On this album16 written
MJ
Mick Jagger
Writer · Vocals
On this album16 written
JI
James Isaac Moore
Writer
On this album1 written
MK
Michael Kevin Taylor
Writer
On this album1 written
MT
Mick Taylor
Writer
On this album1 written
RJ
Robert Johnson
Writer
On this album1 written
RL
Robert Leroy Johnson
Writer
On this album1 written
SH
Slim Harpo
Writer
On this album1 written
JM
Jimmy Miller
Producer
On this album18 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Exile on Main St.

Who wrote the songs on Exile on Main St.?
The original songs on Exile on Main St. are credited to Jagger/Richards, the partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The album also reinterprets older blues material, including 'Stop Breaking Down,' a Robert Johnson song reworked by the pair. Slim Harpo's 'Shake Your Hips' is another blues source on the record.
Where was Exile on Main St. recorded?
Much of Exile on Main St. was recorded in the basement of Keith Richards' rented villa, Nellcote, in Villefranche-sur-Mer in the South of France. The band used the Rolling Stones Mobile studio to capture the sessions. Overdubs and additional work were later completed at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles.
Is Exile on Main St. a double album?
Yes, Exile on Main St. is a double album with 18 tracks spread across four sides. Released in May 1972, it runs about 67 minutes. It is widely regarded as one of the band's defining works.
What were the singles from Exile on Main St.?
'Tumbling Dice' was the lead single and reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Happy,' a track sung by Keith Richards, followed and peaked at number 22. Both songs are credited to Jagger/Richards.
Who produced Exile on Main St.?
Jimmy Miller produced Exile on Main St., as he had the band's other early-1970s albums. Andy Johns and Glyn Johns are among the credited engineers. The chaotic Nellcote sessions are part of the album's enduring legend.
Is Stop Breaking Down a Rolling Stones original?
No, 'Stop Breaking Down' is a Robert Johnson blues song that the Rolling Stones reinterpreted, with the arrangement credited to Jagger and Richards. It features prominent slide guitar from Mick Taylor. It sits among the album's blues-rooted tracks.
How was Exile on Main St. recognized?
Exile on Main St. was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012. It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. Critics and publications have repeatedly ranked it among the greatest albums ever made.

Sources

Wikipedia: Exile on Main St. Wikipedia: Tumbling Dice MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones