We don't often see changes as they are happening. From 1963 to 1965, the Stones morphed from a bunch of skinny, messy-haired dudes covering Chuck Berry to generators of their own material, masters of their own destiny. It started with this one, the first Jagger/Richards song to be released as a single. While the Stones were cultivating their stage presence as a "dangerous" alternative to the Beatles, they needed songs to go along with it. "Satisfaction" was the ultimate realization of that pursuit, but "The Last Time" was a great first try. The guitar riff, played by Brian Jones, is as impossible to ignore as a Chuck Berry intro, but it continues under the verses as well, electrifying them. Jagger's vocals are in fine form, really starting to his his stride with his trademark yowl, and lyrics that carry an undercurrent of non-specific gloom ("May be the last time, I don't know.") and Keith Richards brings a damn fine solo to the table.
"Satisfaction" is the better song, of course. It's better than most songs. But this features is decidedly not called "Obvious Choices." So there's that.
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