Fifty years is a long time to stay in any job. It’s even longer when that job involves wearing leather pants and screaming into a microphone in front of 50,000 people. When the Rolling Stones released The Rolling Stones GRRR! back in 2012, it wasn't just another greatest hits compilation thrown together by a label looking to squeeze a few more bucks out of a legacy. It was a massive, snarling statement of survival.
You’ve probably seen the cover. It’s that gorilla wearing the iconic tongue-and-lips logo. Walton Ford did the artwork, and honestly, it’s kind of perfect. It captures that weird mix of primal aggression and high-art polish the Stones have mastered. This wasn't just about nostalgia. It was a stake in the ground.
The Problem with "Greatest Hits" Albums
Most "best of" records are boring. They usually follow a predictable pattern where the label picks the top ten radio singles, adds one mediocre "new" track recorded in a basement, and calls it a day. The Rolling Stones GRRR! took a different route.
Because the Stones have such a massive, sprawling discography, you can’t just fit it on one disc. Or two. Depending on which version you bought—and there were many—you were looking at anywhere from 50 to 80 tracks. It’s a lot to digest. But that’s the point. You can't summarize the impact of "Gimme Shelter" or "Paint It, Black" without also acknowledging the bluesy grit of their early Decca years or the glossy, synth-heavy experiments of the 80s.
Critics like Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone magazine have often pointed out that the Stones aren't just a band; they are the blueprint for the very idea of a "rock band." This album serves as the evidence. It’s the primary source material. If you ever need to explain to someone why people still care about Mick and Keith, you basically just hand them the 3-CD version of this set and walk away.
Those Two "New" Songs: One Last Spark?
The big selling point back in 2012 was the inclusion of two brand-new tracks: "Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot."
Recorded in Paris, these were the first new recordings the band had done since A Bigger Bang in 2005. There was a lot of skepticism. Could a group of guys in their late 60s (at the time) still find that "Start Me Up" energy?
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"Doom and Gloom" actually holds up surprisingly well. It’s got this signature, dirty Keith Richards riff that feels like it was dragged through a swamp. Mick’s vocals are frantic. It’s a song about world anxiety, which feels even more relevant now than it did then. On the other hand, "One More Shot" is a bit more of a standard rocker. It’s fine. It’s catchy. It sounds like the Stones being the Stones.
What’s interesting is how these tracks were integrated. They weren't tacked onto the end like an afterthought. They were positioned as a continuation of the story. They proved the engine was still running, even if it was idling a bit more than it used to.
Why the Sequencing is a Mess (And Why That’s Good)
Usually, curators try to make these albums flow thematically. Not here. The Rolling Stones GRRR! is mostly chronological.
It starts with "Come On," their first single from 1963. It’s a Chuck Berry cover. It sounds thin and tinny compared to modern production, but the energy is undeniable. Then you move through the psychedelic haze of the late 60s, the "Golden Era" of the early 70s, and eventually into the more divisive stuff from the 90s and 2000s.
Seeing the transition from "Satisfaction" to "Miss You" in the span of a few tracks is a trip. It shows a band that was constantly absorbing what was happening around them. When disco was big, they did disco. When punk arrived, they got faster and meaner. They never stayed in one lane. That’s why they didn't become a "dusty" act.
The Versions: Which One Actually Wins?
They really leaned into the "Anniversary" aspect of this release. You had the 50-track version, the 80-track Super Deluxe, and even a 12x12 box set that came with a 7-inch vinyl and postcards.
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Honestly? The 3-CD version is the sweet spot.
The 50-track set gives you all the essentials without the filler. If you go for the 80-track version, you’re getting deep cuts like "Highwire" or "Don't Stop." While those are great for die-hard fans, they can feel a bit sluggish to the casual listener. The vinyl sets were beautiful, but let’s be real: flipping through six LPs just to hear "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is a workout.
The sheer variety of formats was a precursor to how music is sold now. It was one of the last "big" physical box set releases before streaming completely took over the industry.
The Cultural Impact of the 50th Anniversary
We shouldn't overlook the context of this release. This album kicked off the "50 & Counting" tour. People thought that would be the end. There were rumors of retirement, of health issues, of internal feuds.
Instead, The Rolling Stones GRRR! acted as a springboard. It reminded the public that the Stones owned the catalog that defined the 20th century. It also set the stage for their later projects, like the blues-covers album Blue & Lonesome and their eventual 2023 return with Hackney Diamonds.
Without the success and the "vibe check" of this compilation, it’s hard to say if they would have had the momentum to keep going into their 80s. It solidified their status not just as musicians, but as an institution.
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What People Often Get Wrong About This Release
Some fans complain that it’s just another repackaging. "I already have these songs on Forty Licks," they say.
Technically, they aren't wrong. A lot of the tracklist overlaps with previous compilations. However, the remastering on this set is noticeably different. There’s a punchiness to the bass and drums on the older tracks that wasn't as present in the 2002 versions.
Also, it’s about the narrative. Forty Licks was about the hits. The Rolling Stones GRRR! was about the milestone. It was a celebration of longevity that very few bands—maybe only The Who or the Beach Boys—could even attempt to replicate, and even then, not with this much chart success.
How to Listen to GRRR! Like a Pro
If you’re just diving into the Stones, don’t play this from start to finish. It’s too long.
- Start with Disc 2. This is the 1968-1971 era. "Sympathy for the Devil," "You Can’t Always Get What You Want," and "Brown Sugar." This is the peak.
- Move to Disc 1 if you want to understand where the British Invasion started. It’s raw and bluesy.
- Save Disc 3 for when you’re driving. It’s got the higher production value, 80s gloss, and the "new" songs.
Actionable Steps for the Modern Collector
If you are looking to add this to your collection or experience it for the first time, keep these specific points in mind to get the most value:
- Check the Mastering: If you are buying physical, look for the 2012 copyright. These remasters are specifically tailored to bring out the mid-range in Keith Richards’ guitar, making them sound slightly "warmer" than the digital versions from the late 90s.
- Digital vs. Physical: On streaming services, the "GRRR!" tracklist is often split up or mixed with other "Best Of" playlists. For the intended experience, listen to the specific 50-track album sequence to hear the band’s evolution chronologically.
- Watch the "Doom and Gloom" Video: To get the full 2012-era context, find the music video featuring Noomi Rapace. It’s a gritty, high-energy visual that shows the band wasn't trying to act like "elder statesmen"—they were still trying to be provocateurs.
- Compare "One More Shot" to "Hackney Diamonds": If you want to see how the band’s "late-stage" sound evolved, listen to the two new tracks on this album back-to-back with their 2023 release. It reveals a fascinating shift in how Mick Jagger approached his vocal delivery as he aged.
- Look for the Blu-ray Audio: For the true audiophiles, there was a high-fidelity Blu-ray audio version of this album released. It offers a much wider soundstage than the standard CD and is considered by many to be the definitive way to hear these specific remasters.
Ultimately, this album isn't just a product. It’s a document of a band that refused to quit. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s a bit over-the-top—which is exactly what the Rolling Stones should be. Whether you're a lifelong fan or someone who only knows "Satisfaction" from commercials, this collection provides the full, unvarnished truth of rock's greatest survivors.