December's Children (And Everybody's): The Rolling Stones' 60th Anniversary Milestone
The Rolling Stones celebrate a significant milestone with the 60th anniversary of December’s Children (And Everybody’s) in December 2025. The album marked a transition for the band from R&B covers to establishing their own songwriting identity. It served as a bridge between their early reliance on covers and the emerging confidence of the Jagger and Richards songwriting partnership.
December’s Children was a unique project that drew from various recording sessions in London, Chicago, Los Angeles, and live performances in Britain. It was a collection of songs rather than a cohesive work, reflecting the band's evolution by late 1965. The album introduced UK tracks, EPs, and singles to the US market, catering to the growing demand for new Stones releases.
The album's diverse sources showcased the band's rapid development during a short period. Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and Ian Stewart each contributed their musical talents to create a mix of covers and originals. The album featured tracks from different recording sessions, highlighting the band's evolving sound and creative direction.
December’s Children marked one of the last instances where covers dominated a Stones release. While the album included interpretations of songs by influential artists, it also hinted at the band's emerging creative voice. The success of singles like Get Off Of My Cloud propelled the album to No. 4 on the US charts and set the stage for the band's shift towards self-written albums.
The 2002 reissue of the album brought renewed attention to its significance and improved sound quality for listeners. December’s Children remains a valuable record of the Stones on the cusp of transformation, capturing the blend of covers and originals before they fully embraced their own songwriting. Sixty years later, the album continues to be a testament to the band's evolution and legacy.
Tracklisting:
Side One
1. She Said Yeah
2. Talkin’ About You
3. You Better Move On
4. Look What You’ve Done
5. The Singer Not The Song
6. Route 66
Side Two
7. Get Off Of My Cloud
8. I’m Free
9. As Tears Go By
10. Gotta Get Away
11. Blue Turns To Grey
12. I’m Moving On.
In conclusion, December’s Children (And Everybody’s) remains a pivotal album in the Rolling Stones' discography, showcasing their transition from cover songs to original compositions. The album's mix of covers and originals captured the band's evolving sound and set the stage for their future as prolific songwriters.