The Top 20 Rolling Stones Deep Cuts: #11, “Midnight Rambler”

11. “Midnight Rambler”

It’s a pretty disturbing set of lyrics that accompany this lengthy track off Let It Bleed, but such violence has been part and parcel of blues songs for as long as they’ve been in existence. In truth, Jagger’s tale of a home-invading miscreant pales in impact next to his breathless harmonica-playing. Meanwhile, the rest of the band handles tempo shifts and loud-to-soft dynamics with virtuosic dexterity and innate feel. Even after almost seven, relentless minutes of playing, the boys seem like they’re just getting warmed up.

Previously: “Memory Motel”