linda Ronstadt – “Tumbling Dice” (1978)

Rolling Stones swagger meets country-rock firepower.

Originally a gritty Rolling Stones track from 1972’s Exile on Main St., “Tumbling Dice” wasn’t the most obvious choice for Linda Ronstadt—but that’s exactly why it worked. On her 1978 album Simple Dreams, she didn’t just cover the song—she recast it entirely, bringing a bold female voice and a fearless attitude to a track known for its sly, masculine cool.

Under the guidance of producer Peter Asher, Ronstadt’s version swapped the Stones’ loose, bluesy strut for a tight, punchy country-rock arrangement—polished yet still raw. The result? A version that crackles with sass, confidence, and a wink of flirtation.

While Mick Jagger sounded like a gambler hedging his bets, Ronstadt sounds like she owns the table.
Her delivery is assertive, playful, and unapologetically commanding. She doesn’t beg or plead—she tells you how it’s going to be.

 “Baby, I can’t stay… maybe I’ll be back someday.”
It’s not a goodbye. It’s a dare.

The song reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, further cementing Ronstadt’s reputation as one of the most genre-defying artists of her time. She didn’t just cross boundaries—she dissolved them.

“Tumbling Dice” proved that rock’s biggest, baddest songs could sound even more dangerous—and more fun—in the hands of a woman who refused to play by anyone else’s rules.