News How many times have The Rolling Stones played ‘Satisfaction’ live?
No matter how much you love your job, there will always be some tasks that you don’t like performing. That’s part of life. It’s the price we all pay to do the things we do like. And it comes as a great comfort that no matter what Layer Cake tried to say, even Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones have to partake in this sorry ritual.
When Jagger was asked about what he’ll be doing when he gets older back in 1975, the frontman answered, “I’d rather be dead than singing ‘Satisfaction’ at 45.” Since he turned that age, however, he has played the song hundreds of times. In fact, more often than not in the interim years, it has taken the prestigious slot of closing their sets.
There is, of course, a rich irony in that. But it also showcases just how endearing the track has proved. It’s a transcendent piece of rock ‘n’ roll that permeated society and became a staple of what we now consider classic rock. In the process, it ended up becoming the late Charlie Watts’ favourite Rolling Stones song.
While Jagger might not remain quite so hot on it, the tale is a familiar one espoused by many songwriters; you can become sick of one of your own classic creations, but the second you consider retiring it for good is when it takes on a new lease of life. Thus, ‘Satisfaction’ has been a perennial part of their setlists, gathering up a whopping 973 times since it debuted in 1965.
Its prominence has also become all the more important, considering they retired the controversial song ‘Brown Sugar’ from their set after playing it 1137 times over the years. These staggering numbers are indicative of the longevity of the band in general, these are quite literally some of the most-played live songs in history.
‘Satisfaction’ is also pivotal in the journey of the band, as it quickly became The Stones’ first US number one and occupied the top spot for four long weeks. In the process, it helped to launch the band even though its recording was a wrought process, with Keith Richards steadily turning it from what was a dub number into a full-throttle rock piece.
Which songs have The Rolling Stones played live the most?
1.‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ – 1,196
2.‘Brown Sugar’ – 1,137
3.‘Honky Tonk Women’ – 1,137
4.‘Tumbling Dice’ – 1,122
5.‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ – 973
6.‘Start Me Up’ – 918
7.‘Sympathy for the Devil’ – 827
8.‘It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)’ – 801
9.‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ – 781
10.‘Miss You’ – 771
