It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It!)- Rolling Stones (1974) 12/4/21

Mick Jagger was fed up. By 1974, it seemed that every new Rolling Stones album and single were being criticized for "not being as good as the last."

Of course, Mick thought that was BULL**IT, so to defend himself and the band, he got together with Keith Richards and future Stone Ronnie Wood, and together they wrote a song that not only shut everyone up, but became a "Great Song of the '70s!"

"It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)" was lyrically blatant about how Mick felt, and he felt so strongly about what he had to say, he made sure it was the title cut of the next Stones album, and released as its first single. (The lyrics are included with the video below.)

(TRIVIA: An uncredited David Bowie sang backup!)

Chartwise, it did very well, becoming a Top 20 hit in 7 counties, including #16 on Billboard's Hot 100.

But, as I've mentioned before, chart positions don't always tell the story. In this case, "It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)" was played extensively on album rock stations and became a "classic rock classic" that is still played quite often on classic rock and oldies stations!

According to Keith, "The title alone is a classic." True!

"It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It):" an angry rebuttal from Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, and "Great Song of 1974!"