Last Updated on 27 January 2026 by Massimo M.
Aftermath, The Rolling Stones’ fourth studio album is to be considered a milestone in the history of rock music.
The album, entirely recorded in the United States in the RCA studios, was the first of the Stones’ production to contain songs exclusively composed by the Jagger/Richards duo.
Furthermore, this album was also the band’s first album to be produced in stereo.
Although it was entirely produced in the USA, the vinyl was first published in the UK by Decca records, catalog SKL 4786, and then, after about a couple of months, in the United States. The publication in the States was handled by the London records label (cat. PS 476).
Similar to what was happening with the Beatles prints also for the Rolling Stones UK discography differs with the USA one and in fact Aftermath is the fourth album of the production destined for the United Kingdom while it is the sixth for the USA. Furthermore, the two prints differ in the song list and in the cover image.
The US market version has a shortened setlist that does not include Out of Time, Take It or Leave It, What to Do, and Mother’s Little Helper. These four tracks were later released in the United States on other albums. The song Mother’s Little Helper was also released as a single in 1966, reaching number 8 on the Billboard charts. In place of the four missing songs, Paint It Black was included, a first-place hit in the charts. This edition of Aftermath reached number two in the US charts, going platinum.
Since it was common practice at the time not to include songs previously released as singles on LPs, the English version of Aftermath came out with a setlist of 14 songs but without the presence of Paint it black. Despite this the album remained at first place in the charts for eight weeks.
Despite the differences in content, the album had an excellent commercial success overall, reaching first place in the English sales charts.
Track list UK version
A side
Mother’s Little Helper 2:45
Stupid Girl 2:56
Lady Jane 3:08
Under My Thumb 3:41
Doncha Bother Me 2:41
Goin’ Home 11:13
B side
Flight 505 3:27
High and Dry 3:08
Out of Time 5:37
It’s Not Easy 2:56
I Am Waiting 3:11
Take It or Leave It 2:47
Think 3:09
What to Do 2:32
Track list US version
A side
Paint it black 3:22
Stupid Girl 2:56
Lady Jane 3:08
Under My Thumb 3:41
Doncha Bother Me 2:41
Think 3.09
B side
Flight 505 3:27
High and Dry 3:08
It’s Not Easy 2:56
I Am Waiting 3:11
Goin’ Home 11:13
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