I really like the Rolling Stones and have a rather complete collection.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are one the most successful songwriting teams ever.

Strangely, my favorite Rolling Stones' recording is a cover and I think the best recording of my favorite Jagger / Richards song is also a cover!


"She Said Yeah" Rolling Stones 1965 (My favorite Stones' recording.)

Cover


"She Said Yeah" Larry Williams 1959 (B-side of "Bad Boy")

Original


There is a mournful quality to the Searchers version of "Take It Or Leave It", befitting the lyric. Their arrangement is more complex than the Stones. Note the pulsating harmony mimicking the "flashing neon lights"; this is accentuated in the Searchers' recording, but is present on the Stones' version. The Stones' version was an album track; they gave it to the Searchers; their UK "Aftermath" album was actually released a couple of days after the Searchers' single.


"Take It Or Leave It" Searchers 1966 (My vote for best Jagger / Richards song.)

(One of my all-time favorite recordings.)

Cover


"Take It Or Leave It" Rolling Stones 1966

Original