1971 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time' Became a Breakup Anthem
There is no decade of music that can produce heartbreak hits like the 1970s.
In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the 500 best songs of all time, curating a list of some of the greatest musical works ever created. Placed alongside legendary hits such as Michael Jackson's 1982 song "Beat It" at No. 185 and Pink Floyd's 1979 song "Comfortably Numb" at No. 179, the Rolling Stones secured the No. 193 spot with "Wild Horses."
"Wild Horses" was released in June 1971 as the second U.S.-only single from the band's ninth studio album, Sticky Fingers. Despite the album's massive success-topping both the U.S. and U.K. album charts-"Wild Horses" lacked the initial chart dominance achieved by other singles. The now-beloved song peaked at only No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Brown Sugar" topped the chart for two consecutive weeks.
Although the track was a relative chart disappointment at the time, it was held in high regard by critics and fans. Within the decade, it grew into a cultural phenomenon. Today, the track is one of the Rolling Stones' most beloved ballads, consistently appearing on notable "greatest songs" lists and being covered by various artists, including The Sundays, Guns N' Roses and The Flying Burrito Brothers.
Produced over three days by Jimmy Miller via Rolling Stones Records, "Wild Horses" is recognizable for its stripped-down arrangement. Deviating from the Stones' traditional high-energy blues-rock sound, the song entranced listeners with its tender vocals and melancholic instrumentation-a production style that perfectly amplified the song's vulnerable themes.
Co-written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the track explores the pain of separation and enduring love in a failing partnership. The idea was originally conceived by Richards, who wrote the lyrics about missing his wife and son while traveling with the band. Inspired by his breakup with Marianne Faithfull, Jagger reworked the lyrics to reflect the end of a relationship, transforming it into the breakup anthem it is today.
Over five decades after its release, the song remains relevant, resonating with modern audiences just as it did for previous generations. "Wild Horses" has persevered through the digital era, racking up hundreds of millions of plays on streaming platforms. On Spotify alone, the track has garnered over 388 million streams, attesting to its longstanding legacy.
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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 8:26 AM.