The Rolling Stones' "In The Stars" - A Modern Day Classic

The Rolling Stones are very much alive, even with the passing of Charlie Watts and, before him, Ian Stewart and Brian Jones. That's because the Stones are a group. And groups can evolve even when band members die, drop out or get dropped.

Toronto kids loved the Stones when I was growing up. The Stones repaid that loyalty by living in a rented Rosedale home while rehearsing for several concert tours. People saw them here and there, maybe dashing out to grab a chocolate bar at the local variety store---that kind of thing. 

Poster from TV movie "Toronto Rocks" via IMDB.com

The Stones also played a Toronto concert in the midst of a SARS virus scare. The Stones wanted to combat the stigma surrounding SARS. And they did. While the benefit concert raised money for health-care and hospitality workers, the main objective was to show the world that the city was safe to visit following a World Health Organization (WHO) travel advisory that had devastated local tourism.

The Stones personally suggested the concert to help jumpstart Toronto's economy. By performing for nearly half a million people, they aimed to signal to the world that "Toronto is back and it’s booming."

And they were right.

The Stones' latest single reminded me of another "stars" themed song by David Bowie. Bowie's The Stars (Are Out Tonight) was slightly memorable. After all, I did remember it. But maybe Bowie was trying to achieve something like "In The Stars." This Stones song is so classic and fresh. It's like a synthesis of their best from the 70s and 80s. And after just a few listens, that airy hook was going through my mind—without any headphones.

If this isn't a top 40 hit, we have real trouble in the world.