11. Tattoo You (1981)

Out of a ragtag collection of abandoned ideas and afterthoughts the Stones somehow managed to craft their last great record. Tattoo You is an amalgam of muscular rockers and meditative ballads, bookended by two unforgettable standards: It opens with the winsome and undeniable horndog classic “Start Me Up” and ends with the positively lovely and surprisingly poignant “Waiting On A Friend.” In between there is a lot of very strong standard issue Stones fare. “Black Limousine” is a fabulous blues workout, “Little T&A” gallops along agreeably to a pretty inspired Keith vocal, and “Tops” is decent rehashing of “Fool to Cry.” Leftovers should always be this tasty.