No. 49: ‘Start Me Up’ – Top 100 Rolling Stones Songs

Of all the half-finished, reclaimed songs that made up the Rolling Stones' hastily assembled and yet surprisingly cohesive 1981 collection 'Tattoo You,' 'Start Me Up' clearly had the biggest impact.

The spare, swinging riff-based track -- considered by some purists to be the band's last great song -- famously began life as a reggae number, and was reportedly attempted, then discarded during the sessions for no less than three albums before producer Chris Kimsey helped convince Keith Richards that the song was more than merely a retread of their past work. He was obviously onto something; the song is now frequently used to open the band's concerts.

Watch the Rolling Stones Perform 'Start Me Up'