The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man: Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection spans five decades of Rolling Stones songwriting in a single resource, making it invaluable for pianists, singers, and keyboardists who want to learn the band's essential repertoire without hunting through multiple sources. The piano/vocal/chords format gives singers their melody line while allowing accompanists to interpret voicings and arrangements; you're not locked into one interpretation. Whether you're building a classic rock recital, creating a tribute evening, or simply exploring how these songs sit on the keyboard, this book makes accessible some of rock's most structurally interesting and emotionally resonant material.

These songs carry the swagger, wit, and bluesy edge that made the Rolling Stones essential. You'll move from the blues-inflected straightforwardness of "Little Red Rooster" to the orchestral drama of "Paint It, Black," from the cheeky provocation of "Satisfaction" to the tender resignation of "Wild Horses." The collection feels less like a Greatest Hits package and more like a tour through the band's actual songwriting evolution, capturing moments of genuine vulnerability alongside the raunchy confidence the Stones made famous.

Pianists and singers preparing solo recitals, keyboardists working in rock ensembles or tribute bands, and music students exploring how classic rock repertoire combines melody, harmony, and lyrical narrative. Anyone who performs covers or wants to learn these songs' structures will find 58 carefully curated titles that represent the band's range and influence.

• Study the original recordings alongside the sheet music. Jagger's phrasing and rhythmic placement often sit slightly ahead of or behind the beat in ways that sheet music alone won't reveal; listening helps you capture the swagger that makes these songs distinctive.
• Treat the chord symbols as a starting point, not a ceiling. Many of these songs were arranged with specific textures (string orchestration on "Ruby Tuesday," harpsichord on "The Lantern"); adapting the voicings to fit your instrumentation or acoustic context keeps the song fresh while honoring the original.
• Pay attention to lyrical rhythm. Jagger often uses syllable placement as a rhythmic device, and rushing through the lyrics or placing them too squarely on beats flattens the song's energy. Align your accompaniment to support the natural phrasing of the text.
• Consider transposition intentionally. Many of these songs sit lower or higher in the original recording than in standard sheet music versions. Choose a key that lets the vocalist sit comfortably while keeping the song's character intact.

Build a solo recital around these songs, structuring it chronologically or thematically to show how the Stones' songwriting matured. Pair selections with other classic rock material to create a period-specific concert program, or use individual titles as encores that audiences will recognize immediately. For singers studying interpretation and style, work through several contrasting songs to understand how Jagger adapted his melodic and rhythmic approach across different song types.

• Interpreting blues-influenced melody and phrasing within a rock context
• Realizing chord symbols with appropriate comping textures for rock keyboard styles
• Understanding how lyrical rhythm and vocal placement drive song momentum
• Transposing songs to suit a vocalist's range while preserving character
• Analyzing song structure and arrangement choices across different recording eras