Before the Rolling Stones were the Rolling Stones as we know them—rock and roll’s eternal juggernauts—Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were young songwriters looking to break into the biz however they could. And that meant penning tunes for other artists. Here are 10 songs that Jagger and Richards wrote not for themselves, but for others to sing, shout, and shimmy to:
1. “That Girl Belongs to Yesterday” – Gene Pitney (1964)
One of the earliest Jagger–Richards compositions to hit the airwaves, this melancholic pop tune became a hit for Gene Pitney. It marked the first time the songwriting duo cracked the U.S. charts with someone else singing their words.
2. “As Tears Go By” – Marianne Faithfull (1964)
Long before the Stones made it their own, “As Tears Go By” was written for Marianne Faithfull when she was just 17. The lush orchestration and wistful lyrics launched her career—and hinted at the ballads Jagger and Richards could craft when they weren’t rocking out.
3. “Shang a Doo Lang” – Adrienne Posta (1964)
This girl-group-style pop number was written for 14-year-old British singer Adrienne Posta. Released in March 1964, it’s pure ’60s gold, brimming with swingin’ hooks and youthful charm.
4. “Will You Be My Lover Tonight” / “It Should Be You” – George Bean (1964)
Recorded as a two-sided single, these tunes by George Bean bear the unmistakable melodic stamp of early Jagger–Richards. Bean wasn’t a household name, but he had the honour of singing their words before they became icons.
5. “When Blue Turns to Grey” – Tracey Dey (1964)
Tracey Dey put her voice to this emotionally charged track before the Stones ever released their own version. It’s a perfect example of how the duo could channel heartbreak into harmony for other voices.
6. “Each and Every Day” – Bobby Jameson (1964)
The B-side to “All I Want Is My Baby,” this hidden gem was penned solely by Jagger and Richards. Jameson’s delivery gives it a moody edge, but the songwriting foundation is all Glimmer Twins.
7. “So Much in Love” – The Mighty Avengers (1964)
A British beat band that never quite broke through, The Mighty Avengers gave this Jagger–Richards tune a rousing go. The Herd, featuring a young Peter Frampton, would later revive it in 1966.
8. “Act Together” – Ronnie Wood (1974)
Written by Mick and Keith but gifted to Ronnie Wood for his debut solo album, this track grooves with a loose, communal feel. It’s Stones-y without being the Stones—just how Ronnie liked it.
9. “Sure the One You Need” – Ronnie Wood (1974)
Another Jagger–Richards track that Ronnie made his own, this swaggering rock number popped up again with the New Barbarians in 1979. The lyrics drip with Stones attitude, even when they’re not on lead.
10. “Lonely at the Top” – Mick Jagger (1985)
Ironically written by the pair but never performed by the band, this funky gem ended up on Jagger’s solo album She’s the Boss. It’s part satire, part autobiography—and proof their songwriting chemistry stretches far beyond the Stones’ catalog.