← Back

Goats Head Soup

by The Rolling Stones

Released: August 31, 1973

Rock, blues, funk

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Goats Head Soup" is the eleventh studio album by the Rolling Stones, released on August 31, 1973, by Rolling Stones Records. Bass guitarist Bill Wyman appears on only three tracks, while Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, and Charlie Watts perform on the rest, with the exception of "Winter," which does not include Richards. Regular collaborators like saxophonist Bobby Keys, organist Billy Preston, and pianists Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart also contributed.

Inside the Recording

It was recorded in Jamaica, the United States, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the band's status as tax exiles. The album was the last to be produced by Jimmy Miller, who had played a crucial role in shaping the Rolling Stones' sound since Beggars Banquet in 1968.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Its reputation has improved in recent years

Its reputation has improved in recent years.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

The Rolling Stones - Goats Head Soup

Open in Albums Gallery

Then

Reception

The album was remastered in 1994 and 2009, and a 2020 reissue by Giles Martin, which included bonus tracks and unreleased outtakes, returned it to number one on the UK charts. The album features ten tracks, including the lead single "Angie," which topped the charts in the US and reached the top five in the UK. Goats Head Soup reached number one in the UK, US, and other international markets but received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, often seen as marking the start of the band's decline after a series of acclaimed albums.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Goats Head Soup" is the eleventh studio album by the Rolling Stones, released on August 31, 1973, by Rolling Stones Records. It was recorded in Jamaica, the United States, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the band's status as tax exiles. The album features ten tracks, including the lead single "Angie," which topped the charts in the US and reached the top five in the UK.

The album was the last to be produced by Jimmy Miller, who had played a crucial role in shaping the Rolling Stones' sound since Beggars Banquet in 1968. Bass guitarist Bill Wyman appears on only three tracks, while Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, and Charlie Watts perform on the rest, with the exception of "Winter," which does not include Richards. Regular collaborators like saxophonist Bobby Keys, organist Billy Preston, and pianists Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart also contributed.

Goats Head Soup reached number one in the UK, US, and other international markets but received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, often seen as marking the start of the band's decline after a series of acclaimed albums. Its reputation has improved in recent years. The album was remastered in 1994 and 2009, and a 2020 reissue by Giles Martin, which included bonus tracks and unreleased outtakes, returned it to number one on the UK charts.