By 1973, The Rolling Stones had already become larger than life. They were cultural icons whose reputation for controversy and excess often overshadowed their music. With classic albums like Exile on Main St., Let It Bleed, Beggars Banquet, and Sticky Fingers, they had nothing left to prove. Yet amid their arsenal of anthems—'Gimme Shelter,' '(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,' and 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'—one of their greatest songs remains largely forgotten.
Released on August 31, 1973, as part of Goats Head Soup, 'Winter' is a quiet masterpiece that showcases a side of the band few expected. Unlike their rebellious image, the track finds Mick Jagger emotionally vulnerable and reflective. Gentle acoustic guitar and one of Jagger’s most underrated vocal performances create a cinematic ballad about distance, longing, and emotional isolation.
The Rolling Stones Showed a Side That Most Fans Never Expected
Unlike their other hits that defined their reputation, 'Winter' delivers a different side to Mick Jagger. The song feels emotionally vulnerable and reflective despite their rebellious image. It showed listeners that the band was more than their image. The song features a gentle acoustic guitar and one of Mick Jagger’s most underrated vocal performances. In the song, he sounds lonely and more like he’s reflecting as he sings about distance, longing, and emotional isolation. The song almost ends up feeling more like a cinematic ballad than a traditional Rolling Stones song.
Another aspect that makes this song so effective is how the song paces itself. 'Sometimes I think about you, baby/ Sometimes I cry about you / Sometimes I wanna wrap my coat around you/ Sometimes I wanna keep you warm /Sometimes I wanna wrap my coat around you /Sometimes I wanna, but I can't afford you.' The track doesn’t have a hook that’s clearly meant for radio play and the chorus doesn’t feel explosive in a demanding way to grab your attention. Instead, the song does a perfect job of slowly building up to its emotional impact. Every instrument serves a perfect piece rather than competing for the spotlight. The song wraps up in an emotionally devastating outro handled by Mick Jagger and guitarist Mick Taylor.
Mick Taylor's Guitar Work Elevated the Song
Many will point to songs like 'Time Waits for No One' as a true showcase of Mick Taylor’s talent. One of the biggest reasons why 'Winter' is adored among Rolling Stones fans has everything to do with his performance. Taylor joined the band in 1969 after the death of Brian Jones, and he played a major role in defining what is considered the strongest musical period of the band’s career. His guitar playing provided the emotional backbone to the song 'Winter.' Instead of relying on aggressive riffs, Taylor delivers a melody that glides seamlessly throughout the song. His contributions to the track help transform the song from a beautiful ballad into something that’s unforgettable.
For decades, Goats Head Soup lived in the shadow of the other albums that are always highly regarded. This album was released after the monumental success of Exile on Main St., which was a massive success for the Rolling Stones. While 'Angie' became a major hit from the album, for the most part, a large part of the songs on the album received little attention. However, 'Winter' still stands as the center of the artistic shift that happens all throughout Goats Head Soup. The song captures a band that has matured enough to abandon expectation and embrace subtlety. The Rolling Stones have produced countless classics throughout their career, and there will never be a universal agreement about which one deserves to be called their greatest song. But if greatness is measured by emotional depth and the ability to reveal something new about a legendary band, 'Winter' belongs in the conversation. Instead of creating another stadium-sized anthem, The Rolling Stones created a song built around atmosphere, emotion and musicianship.
For fans looking to explore more hidden gems, check out our list of The 25 Greatest Albums Ever Made: A Definitive Ranking and Hidden Gems: 10 Unexpected Movies That Rival Cinema's Greatest Masterpieces.
