Packed with iconic original songs, The Rolling Stones‘ songbook is among the most renowned in rock history. Beyond their own hits, though, they’ve always had a talent for taking songs by other musicians and turning them into their own with that distinctive Stones vibe.

Indeed, it is difficult to find a Rolling Stones album that does not have at least one cover. They have influenced innumerable classics over the years, frequently making them beloved by fans. These five exceptional covers highlight their exceptional ability to reimagine a song.

“Time Is on My Side” (The Rolling Stones No. 2 – 1964)
The Beatles were a step ahead of the Rolling Stones in terms of success in the United States. The song “Time Is on My Side” was their first Top 10 hit in America, but they had a few minor singles in 1964, including their own song “Tell Me” and a rendition of “It’s All Over Now.”

The song was originally composed by Jerry Ragovoy and recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding. It was Irma Thomas’s emotional rendition of the song that truly made the Stones take notice. Mick Jagger has the ideal opportunity to display his unvarnished, emotive delivery because of her inspiring interpretation.

“Love in Vain” (Let It Bleed – 1969)
The Rolling Stones have never had a quiet year, but 1969 was especially tumultuous. Their ability to stay focused despite all the upheaval led to the release of Let It Bleed, an album that took the Jagger/Richards songwriting duo to new heights.

The Stones’ rendition of “Love in Vain” by Robert Johnson is one of the album’s most poignant songs. The Stones were heavily influenced by Johnson’s innovative blues, as were many other rock performers. They eloquently honored his legacy with a little more magic from guest artist Ry Cooder, whose deft mandolin playing adds to the song’s uncanny charm.

“Stop Breaking Down” (Exile on Main St. – 1972)
With “Stop Breaking Down,” the Stones tackled another Robert Johnson classic, but this time they stepped it up. Their rendition of “Love in Vain” was heavily influenced by rock and roll, even if it remained more in line with Johnson’s unadulterated, acoustic blues.

The single, which was recorded during the tumultuous Exile on Main St. sessions, is grit-filled and full of energy. The song goes into overdrive because of Mick Jagger’s howling harmonica and Mick Taylor’s scorching slide guitar. It’s a crazy, electric version that might blow your mind away, as the lyrics warn.

“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll – 1974)
By 1974, the Stones had moved past their deep, blues-filled glory days from Beggars Banquet to Exile on Main St. and entered a more polished “rock band” phase. They might not have dug as deep into their roots in the mid-’70s, but their sheer talent still made their music stand out. So, by this time, it only made sense for them to take on some Motown hits instead of Robert Johnson classics.

The Temptations’ version of “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” is the gold standard, no doubt. But the Stones gave it their own fiery spin, thanks to Charlie Watts’ pounding beat, and turned it into a Top 20 hit.

“Harlem Shuffle” (Dirty Work – 1986)
On any online ranking of the Stones’ albums, Dirty Work usually appears near the bottom, if not at the bottom. Because the record was put together at a challenging time between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it seemed as though the band wasn’t really in sync with producing something outstanding. The twist is that the band went to considerable measures to cover this obscure R&B song by Bob & Earl from 1963, and the outcome was the unexpected hit “Harlem Shuffle.” They were able to differentiate themselves from the album’s otherwise stiff, metallic vibe by grooving in a manner that the rest of the record could not.