The 5 songs that Mick Jagger picks his favorites

Mick Jagger picks his favorite songs of all time. Beyond his musical talents, Jagger has been recognized for his songwriting abilities, contributing to many of The Rolling Stones’s hits. His lyrics often touch upon themes of love, rebellion, social commentary, and the complexities of human relationships. What songs does a legend like Mick Jagger like? Here are Mick Jagger`s favorite songs:

Mick Jagger`s favorite songs

Jagger’s creativity is not constrained by his genre. Jagger has always been able to appreciate the best music from all over the world, much like his friend Keith Richards. Speaking to the Telegraph a few years ago, Chris Jagger, the band’s lead singer, revealed five of his favorite songs from around the globe, and it’s setting off an uncontrollable rhythmic uproar.

1. Clifton Chenier – „I’m A Hog For You“
2. Salif Keita – „M’Bemba“
3. T Visvanathan und T Ranganathan – „Sandehamunu“
4. Farafina – „Dounounia“
5. Fela Kuti und Ginger Baker – „Let’s Start“

Of course, you can expect a rock star like Mick Jagger to like songs that everyone knows.

Clifton Chenier – „I’m A Hog For You“

Clifton Chenier, known as the “King of Zydeco,” was an American musician and accordionist who played a pivotal role in popularizing Zydeco music. He was born on June 25, 1925, in Louisiana. Chenier’s musical journey and contributions have left an indelible mark on the genre and the broader musical landscape.

Chenier’s mastery of the accordion and his vibrant performances brought zydeco music, a unique blend of Creole, Cajun, and African rhythms, to wider audiences. He skillfully combined traditional Louisiana French folk music with elements of blues, R&B, and jazz. He created a vibrant and infectious sound that was both authentic and innovative.

Throughout his career, Chenier released numerous albums and singles. He was one of the most successful and influential figures in Zydeco music. His recordings, such as “Ay-Tete Fee,” “Black Snake Blues,” and “Zydeco Sont Pas Sale,” showcased his virtuosity on the accordion and his rich, soulful vocals.

Jagger said:

“Clifton was a great influence on me. We first listened to him around 1965 when we went to the States. I love the way he just grabs a blues number and adapts it to his style.”

 

Here are some notable albums by Clifton Chenier along with their approximate release dates:

• “Bogalusa Boogie” (1976)
• “King of Zydeco” (1984)
• “Zydeco Dynamite” (1984)
• “I’m Here!” (1984)
• “Louisiana Blues and Zydeco” (1985)
• “Bayou Blues” (1986)
• “Cajun Swamp Music” (1987)
• “Bogalusa Boogie Man” (1987)
• “Bon Ton Roulet!” (1987)
• “Bogalusa Boogie & The King of Zydeco” (1989)
• “Cajun Swamp Music Live” (1990)
• “Bogalusa Boogie Man (The Early Years)” (1991)
• “Zydeco Sont Pas Sale” (1992)
• “Frenchin’ the Boogie” (1992)
• “Bogalusa Boogie Man (The Classic Early Recordings 1954-1957)” (1992)

Salif Keita – „M’Bemba“

Salif Keita is a Malian musician and singer-songwriter whose exceptional talent and unique voice have made him one of Africa’s most celebrated musical icons. He was born on August 25, 1949, in Djoliba, Mali.  Keita’s life and career have been defined by his extraordinary musical abilities and his advocacy for the rights of people with albinism.

Keita’s journey as a musician began in the 1970s when he joined the Rail Band, a popular group in Mali. However, he gained international recognition with his solo career. He has released a string of critically acclaimed albums. His breakthrough came with the release of “Soro” in 1987, which showcased his distinctive sound and fusion of traditional Malian rhythms with modern musical influences.

Allbums by Salif Keita. He has released 10 albums so far:

• “Soro” (1987)
• “Ko-Yan” (1989)
• “Amen” (1991)
• “Destiny of a Noble Outcast” (1995)
• “Papa” (1999)
• “Moffou” (2002)
• “M’Bemba” (2005)
• “La Différence” (2009)
• “Talé” (2012)
• “Un Autre Blanc” (2018)

T Visvanathan und T Ranganathan – „Sandehamunu“

As we mentioned above, Mick Jagger was not stuck in his genre. He was very much interested in the music produced in different parts of the world. After Africa, among Mick Jagger’s favorite songs, we find a song from India.

Farafina – „Dounounia“

Who is Farafina? Farafina is a music and dance troupe hailing from Burkina Faso, West Africa. The group was founded in 1978 by Mahama Konaté.

Farafina’s music is deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Burkina Faso and draws influences from various West African traditions. They combine traditional instruments such as djembe drums, balafons (wooden xylophones), and talking drums with modern elements, creating a vibrant and dynamic sound.

The next on the list of MickJagger`s favorite songs is „Dounounia“ by Farafina:

Farafina, the music and dance troupe from Burkina Faso, has released several albums throughout its career. Here is the list of their albums:

1. “Bolomakoté” (1987)
2. “Nemako” (1991)
3. “Faso Denou” (1992)
4. “Kakaki” (1995)
5. “Live at Montreux” (1996)
6. “Y’en a Marre” (2002)
7. “Kanou” (2009)

Fela Kuti und Ginger Baker – „Let’s Start“

The song “Let’s Start” is a collaboration between the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti and British drummer Ginger Baker. They released the song in 1971. It appears on their album “Live!” and showcases a fusion of Afrobeat and rock elements.

The collaboration between Fela Kuti and Ginger Baker brought together their respective musical backgrounds and styles. Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat, a genre he pioneered, blended elements of traditional African rhythms, jazz, funk, and highlife music, while Ginger Baker’s drumming added a rock and jazz-infused energy to the composition.

Jagger said in an interview:

“As far as I know Ginger was one of the first to get into these rhythms and travel to Africa to actually sit there and play them,”

“He might have been influenced by Phil Seamen, the jazz drummer who pre-dated him, but Ginger went to play with Fela Kuti, which must have been a daunting journey in more ways than one. But then he always did want to push things that much further than most drummers who came from England. Fela always had great orchestration and an amazing horn section, as he played horn himself and liked to use two baritones, which is unusual.”

 

Fela Kuti, the Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer, has an extensive discography. Here is the list of Fela Kuti`s albums:

• “Fela Fela Fela” (1971)
• “Roforofo Fight” (1972)
• “Gentleman” (1973)
• “Confusion” (1974)
• “Expensive Shit” (1975)
• “Zombie” (1976)
• “Upside Down” (1976)
• “Shuffering and Shmiling” (1978)
• “Black President” (1981)
• “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” (1986)
• “Beasts of No Nation” (1989)
• “Underground System” (1992)
• “Music Is the Weapon” (2000)