Take Five: Great Early Covers by the Rolling Stones

One of the biggest bands in all of rock history, the Rolling Stones have had a remarkably long and successful career. The band is still touring to rave reviews in 2024, nearly sixty years after they scored with their first major hit, 1965’s “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” But in the group’s early days, the Stones were chiefly interpreters of songs by other artists; the Jagger/Richards songwriting partnership didn’t truly take off until 1965’s Out of Our Heads. Yet those early releases are filled with gems that demonstrate just what great interpreters the Stones were in those days. Here are five standout covers from the pre-megstardom era Rolling Stones.

“I’m a King Bee” from England’s Newest Hit Makers (1964)
The Stones kicked off Side Two of their 1964 debut LP with a reading of Slim Harpo’s “I’m a King Bee.” Dripping with sexual innuendo, the song is an exemplar of the blues foundation upon which the Rolling Stones were built. Bill Wyman’s distinctive glissando accents on his bass guitar are only part of the appeal of this early classic. The Stones were at the front of the pack with their version, but by no means were they the only group to cut the song in the ‘60s. Even Pink Floyd – then led by founder Syd Barrett, another blues fanatic – recorded the song, though it wouldn’t receive official release until that group’s massive The Early Years boxed set in 2016.

“Walking the Dog” from England’s Newest Hit Makers (1964)
Rufus Thomas was an important if sometimes overlooked figure in the early days of rock and roll. Often pigeonholed as an r&b artist, Thomas was a truly all-around entertainer. Father of fellow Stax artist Carla Thomas, Rufus was one of the earliest artists to record for the legendary Sun Records, with “Bear Cat,” an answer song to “Hound Dog.” Jokingly billed as the World’s Oldest Teenager, he was a star at the Wattstax Festival in the early ‘70s. The Stones cover of his tune leaves out Rufus’ wedding march introduction and instead gets right down to business. This classic has been covered by a wide array of artists from Rick Derringer to Pacific Northwest punk progenitors The Sonics.

“Susie Q” from 12 x 5 (1964)
Dale Hawkins wrote “Susie Q” and included it on his 1958 debut album; in the process he arguably created a new subgenre, swamp rock. Today the most well-known reading of the song is the 1968 recording by Creedence Clearwater Revival, who built their musical foundation upon a sultry, slowed-down arrangement of the song. But in 1964, the Rolling Stones cut their own inimitable take on Hawkins’ classic, with a brighter, peppier arrangement full of hand clap percussion. It’s another example that supports the old adage: a great song is a great song, even if you do it differently.

“It’s All Over Now” from 12 x 5 (1964)
American guitarist and songwriter Bobby Womack composed “It’s All Over Now,” recording and releasing it in 1964 with his band The Valentinos. That original version didn’t do much on the charts, stalling out at #94. But the Rolling Stones heard it, recognized it as a classic, and recorded their version the first chance they got. The song would be a hit for them, reaching the top spot on the British charts. It became quite popular across Europe as well, eventually hitting the Top 40 in the U.S. during the band’s first tour in the States. Today the song is so closely associated with the Rolling Stones that many people assume it’s a band original.

“Little Red Rooster” from The Rolling Stones, Now! (1965)
Originally released as a late 1964 single in the UK, “Little Red Rooster” was included on the compilation The Rolling Stones, Now! the following year. Credited to songwriter and blues legend Willie Dixon, the song is a standard that has appeared in myriad styles by artists as varied as Howlin’ Wolf, Sam Cooke, the Jesus and Mary Chain and countless others. The Rolling Stones version is one of the prime examples of the influence which the band’s founder (and original leader) Brian Jones had upon the group and its sound.