Sucking in the Seventies is the sixth official compilation album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1981. Serving as the successor to 1975's Made in the Shade, it covers material from the recording sessions of It's Only Rock 'n Roll (1974), Black and Blue (1976), Some Girls (1978) and Emotional Rescue (1980). Deviating from the standard practice of "greatest hits" albums, it features a mix of hit songs, remixes, alternate takes of album tracks, B-sides, and live recordings.

Contents

All tracks on Sucking in the Seventies, except "Shattered" and "Everything Is Turning to Gold" were mixed or edited specifically for this release. The album includes an otherwise unreleased live version of "When the Whip Comes Down", which was recorded during the band's 1978 tour in Detroit. "If I Was a Dancer (Dance Pt. 2)" is a longer and different mix, containing different lyrics from "Dance (Pt. 1)", which is the opening track on Emotional Rescue (1980). The compilation album does not include "Miss You", which was The Rolling Stones' only number-one hit during this period.

Release and reception

Released in the spring of 1981, as Tattoo You was nearing its completion, Sucking in the Seventies reached #15 in the U.S., going gold, but failed to chart in the UK. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic writes: "The amazing thing is that Sucking in the Seventies captures the garish decadence and ennui of the band better than the proper albums from this period. Not that this is a better record than Some Girls, but it is better than either Black and Blue or Emotional Rescue." In 2005, the album was remastered and reissued by Virgin Records.

Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted. Side one Side two

Charts

Album Singles

Certifications