Top 10 Keith Richards Solo Songs

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This article examines 10 essential Keith Richards songs released on his solo albums. The article does not include any solo vocals Keith Richards performed on The Rolling Stones albums. So in essence, there are no Jagger/Richards compositions here, it’s all solo Keith Richards songs. There are so many great ones. Over the years, Keith Richards has openly discussed his desire to tour and record more than other members of The Rolling Stones wanted to. Based on The Rolling Stones’ massive success during their legendary career, that desire was probably not fueled by monetary reasons but rather just the desire to compose and perform. It’s what drives genuine musicians, lifers who can’t do anything else but play music. There’s a need to play, a need to write, a need to shine.

Keith Richards’ solo career has only presented fans with one new studio album over the past twenty years. His latest solo record, entitled Crosseyed Heart, was released in 2015. His two previous efforts were released in the 80s and 90s. Keith Richards’s first solo album, Talk Is Cheap, was released in 1988. His second solo album, entitled Main Offender, was released in 1992. During that time period, Keith Richards released a live album with his band, the X-Pensive Winos, called Live at the Hollywood Palladium on December 15, 1988.

Keith Richards’ work outside The Rolling Stones includes many projects besides his solo career. Keith Richards has made guest appearances on albums released by Billy Preston, The Faces, Ronnie Wood, Tom Waits, Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Crow, Bo Diddley and literally hundreds of more recordings. And we can never forget his excellent work as a band leader in the film about Chuck Berry entitled Hail Hail Rock and Roll. The classic scene when Keith and Chuck got into it a little on-stage stands as one of the most memorable moments in rock movies.

Our top 10 Keith Richards songs list is a fascinating look at the work of Keith Richards. His three solo albums are filled with the same type of iconic riffs that fueled all the classic Rolling Stones songs of the past fifty years. In many ways, these solo albums are very telling of the creative process of the Rolling Stones. It was tough to pick just ten Keith Richards songs, even though there were only three albums to pick from. These are all great rock and roll records created by one of the greatest rock and roll artists ever. If you don’t have these three albums, we hope this list convinces you to go out and get them.

# 10 – Heartstopper

We open our Top 10 Keith Richards songs list with an excellent track from his most recent solo album, Crosseyed Heart. The album featured his band, the X-Pensive Winos, which included Keith on all guitars, bass, piano, and vocals, Steve Jordan on drums, Waddy Wachtel on guitars, Ivan Neville on keys, Bobby Keys on sax, and Babi Floyd and Sarah Dash on backing vocals.

# 9 – My Babe

Keith Richards defines every bit of his blues and soul heart on this classic Willie Dixon track. The old blues saying “less is more” shines on this great arrangement. Just a little piano and brushes fueled by one of Keith Richards’ most memorable vocals on vinyl. The Willie Dixon song “My Babe” was released as a bonus track on the 2019 Keith Richards Talk Is Cheap CD reissue.

# 8 – You Don’t Move Me

The song “You Don’t Move Me” was released on the album Talk Is Cheap. Keith Richards and Steve Jordan wrote the song. The song’s great groove showcases Steve Jordan’s impact as Keith Richards’ writing partner on his solo albums. He will continue to have an impact as the drummer now responsible for replacing Charlie Watts in the Rolling Stones. Big shoes to fill.

# 7 – How I Wish

Roll down the window and turn it up. That’s how songs like this should be listened to. Driving down the highway, totally engulfed in these great riffs. This killer track, “How I Wish,” was released on Keith Richard’s album Talk Is Cheap. It was the opening song on side two of the record.

# 6 – Big Enough

From Talk Is Cheap. This song reminded us of “Hot Stuff,” from the underrated Rolling Stones album Black and Blue. This great funk track was the opening number on Keith Richards’ debut album Talk Is Cheap. Keith Richards and Steve Jordan wrote the song. Listen to the sound of that guitar in the song’s introduction. I have never heard a guitar sound like that before.

# 5 – Eileen

One of our favorite Keith Richards songs from any of his solo albums has always been the classic song “Eileen.” The song was released on Keith Richards’ second solo album, Main Offender. Once again, the song was written by Keith Richards and Steve Jordan. The sound of Steve Jorndas’s high-pitched snare drives this one from the song’s opening beat to its very last. This should have been on a Stones album. It’s so good.

# 4 – Trouble

Continuing with our list of top 10 Keith Richards songs, we turn to the great Crosseyed Heart album. The song “Trouble” was the first single released from the album. It was initially released before the album was issued. Keith Richards and Steve Jordan wrote the song. That legendary Keith Richards’ style rhythm guitar riff opens this cooker of a tune. Some great soloing at the one-minute mark will put a Rolling Stones smile on your face.

# 3 – Take It So Hard

Keith Richards’ “Take It So Hard” is probably the most popular Keith Richards solo song ever released. The song was released on the album Talk Is Cheap. The song was released as the first single from the album. Keith Richards and Steve Jordan wrote the song. It featured Waddy Wachtel on guitar, Steve Jordan on background vocals and bass, Charley Drayton on drums, and Ivan Neville on keys. The song was very successful when it was first released. It hit number three on the Billboard rock charts in 1988.

# 2 – Wicked As It Seems

Along with “Take It So Hard,” the Keith Richards song “Wicked As It Seems” would become one of his most successful solo album songs. The song “Wicked As It Seems” was released on the Main Offender album. Keith Richards, Steve Jordan, and Charley Drayton wrote the song. When listening to these fabulous songs like this one, you wonder why the Stones didn’t release more material in the 1990s because Keith was writing such great stuff.

# 1 – Hate It When You Leave

This is why we all love Keith Richards. The man plays and sings in such an earnest fashion that we all can relate to. You can hear his pain, feel his pain. You can hear it in his phrasing, lyrics, melodies, and arrangements. He’s a student of music, a lover of life, and he has learned the most valuable lesson of them all, embrace every day, every minute, every moment, especially the ones we all screw up. This great song was released on the album Main Offender.