The Rolling Stones' Longest-Charting Single Debuted In 1981 – But It Never Went To No. 1

To date, the Rolling Stones have secured eight No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Their longest-charting single never climbed to the top spot, though. What's even more shocking is when you find out it's the track "Start Me Up."

Rocking off the album "Tattoo You," the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1981. "Start Me Up" peaked at the No. 2 position and stuck around on the chart for a mighty impressive 24 weeks. To put that achievement into context, the Rolling Stones' second-longest-charting single, "Miss You," only managed to linger for 20 weeks, though that went to No. 1.

Despite "Start Me Up" failing to top the U.S. chart, it's considered one of the best Rolling Stones songs that isn't "Gimme Shelter" or "Paint It, Black." In addition to this, the track went platinum in the United Kingdom, while Bill Gates paid the Stones over $3 million for the rights to use it in the promotion of Microsoft Windows 95. All that cash in their accounts more than likely softens the blow of "Start Me Up" failing to hit No. 1 — Mick Jagger and the gang can use those $100 bills to dry their eyes whenever they think about it.

Even though the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" failed to hit the No. 1 spot, the same can't be said about "Tattoo You." The record held onto the top position on the Billboard 200 chart for nine weeks — a record for the Stones — and is often touted as the legendary band's last great album. It's a remarkable achievement when you realize that the music composed for this release featured tracks that didn't make the cut before.

As sound engineer Chris Kimsey explained to Sound on Sound, he was responsible for digging through the archives for demos and partial recordings to find potential songs for the Stones to record. Kimsey uncovered "Start Me Up," which had been recorded twice before, and brought it back to the table. After the band jammed it again, Kimsey knew they had something special on their hands.

"After they cut it, I said, 'That's bloody great! Come and listen,'" Kimsey said. "However, when I played it back, Keith [Richards] said, 'Nah, it sounds like something I've heard on the radio. Wipe it.' Of course, I didn't, but he really didn't like it, and I'm not sure whether he likes it to this day."