Dig the Rolling Stones

Try a chronological approach. Start by playing such CDs as "12 x 5," "Aftermath" and "Everybody's Children," and listen to such classics as "Tell Me," "Time Is on My Side," "Mother's Little Helper," "Under My Thumb," "Get Off of My Cloud," "Paint It Black" and "Satisfaction," which is still widely considered the greatest rock and roll song ever. Begin tracing the early development of lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards as song writers as their music becomes more complex.

Pop in psychedelic-era CDs "Flowers" and "Satanic Majesties Request," which was the Stones' answer to The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Focus on psychedelic tunes such as "Ruby Tuesday" and "She's a Rainbow," as well as the classic "Let's Spend the Night Together." Note how flawlessly the Stones begin changing with the times while leaving their own imprint. Pop in CDs from their greatest era: 1969 to 1972. Listen to the complexity of the music from "Beggar's Banquet," "Let It Bleed," "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street," and rock out to songs like "Street Fighting Man," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Brown Sugar," "Wild Horses," "Gimme Shelter," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy." Appreciate the messages in the lyrics, which become increasingly meaningful.

Track their development in the 1970s, when the Stones became funkier. Put "Goat's Head Soup," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" and "Black and Blue" into your CD player and note the new style in songs such as "Angie," "Heartbreaker," "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll," "Fool to Cry" and "Hot Stuff."The Stones in their later years Enjoy the occasional hit from the 1980s on, when the Rolling Stones became more of a force on tour than in the recording studio. Listen to "Miss You" and "Beast of Burden" from "Some Girls" and "Rock and a Hard Place" from "Steel Wheels."