The Rolling Stones – England’s Newest Hit Makers (1964): The Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll Rebellion
Released on April 16, 1964, England’s Newest Hit Makers introduced the world to The Rolling Stones—a band that would become the longest-running and most influential rock ’n’ roll group in history. While The Beatles represented polish and charm, the Stones embodied raw blues, danger, sexuality, and attitude.
This debut album didn’t just launch a career—it marked the arrival of rock music’s darker, grittier future.
Album Overview
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Artist: The Rolling Stones
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Album: England’s Newest Hit Makers
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Release Date: April 16, 1964
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Label: London Records
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Genre: Blues Rock, Rock & Roll, R&B
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Length: 33:38
Band Line-Up
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Mick Jagger – vocals, harmonica
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Keith Richards – guitar, backing vocals
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Brian Jones – guitar, harmonica
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Bill Wyman – bass
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Charlie Watts – drums
Sound & Style
Unlike later Stones albums driven by Jagger–Richards songwriting, this debut is largely composed of covers—a deliberate tribute to the American blues and R&B artists the band worshipped.
The sound is:
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Raw and aggressive
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Heavily blues-based
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Recorded with minimal polish
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Focused on groove and attitude rather than perfection
Artists covered include Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, and Willie Dixon, bringing Black American blues to a young British audience.
Fun Fact: The album’s title was a sarcastic jab at the British press, which constantly compared the Stones to The Beatles.
Key Tracks & Highlights
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“Route 66” – A roaring opener that sets the album’s rebellious tone
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“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – Sexual tension unheard of in pop at the time
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“Carol” – Chuck Berry swagger at full throttle
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“Tell Me” – The album’s only Jagger–Richards original, hinting at future greatness
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“Walking the Dog” – A crowd favorite that defined early Stones live shows
While musically simple, the album radiates danger, youth, and authenticity.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
Though modest by later Stones standards, England’s Newest Hit Makers reached No. 11 on the US Billboard chart, a major achievement for a debut album by a British blues band.
More importantly, it:
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Helped spark the British Invasion
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Reintroduced American blues to mainstream audiences
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Established the Stones as the “anti-Beatles”
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Laid the groundwork for one of the greatest discographies in music history
Trivia: Many of the original blues artists covered by the Stones later gained renewed recognition and financial success thanks to the band.
Album Sales & Historical Notes
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Over 500,000 copies sold worldwide
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Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legacy discussions
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Frequently ranked among the best debut albums of the 1960s
Top 20 Rolling Stones Songs – Definitive Ranking
This ranking balances songwriting, cultural impact, longevity, live popularity, and influence.
1. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
The ultimate rock riff. A cultural anthem of rebellion and frustration.
2. Gimme Shelter
Dark, apocalyptic, and haunting. A masterpiece of tension and atmosphere.
3. Sympathy for the Devil
Provocative, intelligent, and rhythmically hypnotic.
4. Paint It Black
Eastern influences and existential dread merged into a global hit.
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Pure rock energy. One of the Stones’ greatest live staples.
6. Angie
A tender, emotional ballad that showcased vulnerability.
7. Brown Sugar
Controversial, catchy, and undeniably iconic.
8. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Gospel, orchestration, and wisdom rolled into one epic.
9. Wild Horses
Gentle country-rock perfection.
10. Ruby Tuesday
Melancholy pop with baroque undertones.
11. Street Fighting Man
Revolutionary energy during political upheaval.
12. Honky Tonk Women
Bluesy swagger and unforgettable groove.
13. Midnight Rambler
Dark storytelling and explosive live performances.
14. Tumbling Dice
Loose, funky, and irresistibly cool.
15. Beast of Burden
Smooth, soulful Stones at their most relaxed.
16. Let It Bleed
Raw blues aggression and early hard rock elements.
17. Start Me Up
Arena rock perfection.
18. Miss You
Disco-influenced brilliance that divided fans—and worked.
19. Under My Thumb
Brian Jones’ marimba adds a unique texture.
20. Time Is on My Side
One of their earliest classics and a defining early hit.
Final Verdict
England’s Newest Hit Makers may not feature the songwriting genius of later Rolling Stones albums, but it captures something equally important: the moment rock music grew teeth.
It is the sound of young musicians obsessed with the blues, unafraid of controversy, and ready to challenge pop norms. From this raw debut grew a band that would define rock ’n’ roll attitude for over six decades.
Rolling Stones – Top-Selling Albums of All Time
The Rolling Stones are not only one of the most influential rock bands in history—they are also one of the best-selling, with estimated 200+ million albums sold worldwide. While their discography spans decades, certain albums have stood out commercially and culturally. Here’s a breakdown of the top-selling Rolling Stones albums:
1. Hot Rocks 1964–1971 (1971)
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Sales: ~12 million copies (US), ~20 million worldwide
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Type: Compilation
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Trivia: Features classic hits like Satisfaction, Paint It Black, and Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Considered one of the best rock compilations of all time.
2. Some Girls (1978)
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Sales: ~6 million copies (US), ~8 million worldwide
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Highlights: Miss You, Beast of Burden, Shattered
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Fun Fact: The disco-influenced sound expanded the Stones’ audience during the late ’70s.
3. Tattoo You (1981)
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Sales: ~6 million copies (US), ~8 million worldwide
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Hit Single: Start Me Up
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Trivia: The album was mostly composed of outtakes and leftovers but became one of the Stones’ most commercially successful records.
4. Sticky Fingers (1971)
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Sales: ~6 million copies (US), ~7 million worldwide
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Notable Tracks: Brown Sugar, Wild Horses
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Fun Fact: Designed by Andy Warhol, the iconic zipper cover caused controversy but helped sales.
5. Let It Bleed (1969)
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Sales: ~5 million copies (US), ~6 million worldwide
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Key Tracks: Gimme Shelter, You Can’t Always Get What You Want
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Trivia: Recorded during a tumultuous period; Brian Jones’ death occurred shortly before its release.
6. Out of Our Heads (1965)
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Sales: ~5 million copies worldwide
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Hit Singles: Satisfaction, The Last Time
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Trivia: Their first US number-one album, cementing the Stones’ presence during the British Invasion.
7. Beggar’s Banquet (1968)
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Sales: ~4 million copies worldwide
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Key Tracks: Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fighting Man
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Trivia: Marked a return to blues roots after the experimental psychedelic era.
8. Exile on Main St. (1972)
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Sales: ~4 million copies (US), ~7 million worldwide
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Highlights: Tumbling Dice, Rocks Off
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Fun Fact: Recorded mostly in a French villa during tax exile; known for its raw, swampy sound.
9. Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) (1966)
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Sales: ~4 million copies worldwide
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Trivia: Another compilation capturing the British Invasion era and early hits, often introducing new fans to the Stones’ sound.
10. Bridges to Babylon (1997)
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Sales: ~3 million copies (US), ~5 million worldwide
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Hits: Anybody Seen My Baby?, Saint of Me
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Fun Fact: Despite being a later-era album, it showcased the Stones’ ability to stay commercially relevant with modern production techniques.
Honorable Mentions
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Goats Head Soup (1973) – ~4 million worldwide
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Black and Blue (1976) – ~3 million worldwide
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Voodoo Lounge (1994) – ~3 million worldwide
Trends & Observations
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Compilations like Hot Rocks often outsell studio albums.
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Peak commercial success occurred in the 1970s, coinciding with their blues-inspired rock and iconic tours.
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Album art, touring, and controversy often boosted sales as much as the music itself.
Fun Fact: The Rolling Stones’ sales numbers are difficult to verify precisely because of different international certifications, reissues, and compilations—yet they remain one of the highest-grossing rock bands in history.
