Leaving aside the whole controversy side of it, without researching this I'd guess Brown Sugar may well be the most played live Stones song in the catalogue (with the possible exception of Jumping Jack Flash). It's been part of every tour since being released. Even Satisfaction went unplayed throughout the 70's.
Freeing up a setlist spot for something fresher isn't a bad idea. Plus, no live version I've ever heard has equalled the studio cut which has a sound and feel unmatched musically.
@Scott Peterson To be honest, I'm more embarrassed that I completely overlooked Honky Tonk Women when throwing out my 'most played Stones song' thought bubble. I'm wiping the old brow after getting JJF and BS right as the two most played.
Tumbling Dice... makes sense to me TBH, not sure how it charted way back when but its been a classic rock radio staple. And it's largely been a tour staple since released, although as a 'tier two' Stones warehouse I guess it misses when they play club or arena shows with more rarities.
Mind you, it's probably another signifier of how much commerce does play into the Stones artistic decisions. Tumbling Dice as a radio single is probably on par in terms of audience recognition with Under My Thumb, Paint It Black and Lets Spend The Night (as examples). But the Stones have more artistic and financial control over TD than those others. Aside from the late 60's heavy hitters (the Beggers Banquet period singles and songs onward), the Stones rarely featured any 60's material through the 70's until 1981/82.
Leaving aside the whole controversy side of it, without researching this I'd guess Brown Sugar may well be the most played live Stones song in the catalogue (with the possible exception of Jumping Jack Flash). It's been part of every tour since being released. Even Satisfaction went unplayed throughout the 70's.
Freeing up a setlist spot for something fresher isn't a bad idea. Plus, no live version I've ever heard has equalled the studio cut which has a sound and feel unmatched musically.