More than six decades after topping the charts with their first No. 1 album, the Rolling Stones have done it again. Released on July 10, “Foreign Tongues,” the band’s 25th studio album, has debuted at the top of the charts around the world. The success is also welcome news for BMG, which administers the album’s publishing rights.
The Rolling Stones are a phenomenon unlike any other in music history. Since the legendary British rock band was founded in 1962, it has released 25 studio albums—the officially recognized count—as well as more than 70 live albums and compilations. Fourteen of those studio albums reached No. 1 in the charts in numerous countries. The band’s latest achievement marks its 15th No. 1 album.
‘Foreign Tongues’ is the Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK – “Foreign Tongues” is currently No. 1 on the album charts in all of these countries. And its success doesn’t end there: the album is also No. 2 in Denmark, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia, and No. 3 in the United States. More than six decades into their career, this latest achievement underlines the band’s remarkable ability to remain one of rock’s defining forces and connect with audiences across generations, according to a BMG statement. The Rolling Stones themselves wrote on Instagram: “Thank you to everyone for making this happen!”
“Foreign Tongues” is the Rolling Stones’ 25th studio album and follows the Grammy Award-winning “Hackney Diamonds” from 2023, their first album of new material since “A Bigger Bang” was released in 2005. “Hackney Diamonds,” whose publishing rights are also administered by BMG, debuted at No. 1 in 14 countries, including the UK and Germany.
BMG as the band’s partner
“Foreign Tongues” was produced by Andrew Watt and features guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Robert Smith, and Chad Smith. The album carries particular emotional significance for the band members—and undoubtedly for fans as well—as it includes the final song recorded with the band’s late drummer, Charlie Watts.
Back in 2020, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood selected BMG to administer their neighboring rights—royalties generated from performers’ rights and performance rights. In addition, BMG represents the music publishing rights of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, as well as a substantial portion of the recorded catalog of Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts.
