Five By Five

The Rolling Stones – Five By Five is an original British 7" EP released in 1964 on the Decca label (catalog number DFE 8590). It stands as a quintessential early Rolling Stones release and an excellent document of the era when the band was forging its identity based on American blues, rhythm & blues, and rock 'n' roll.

This EP derives special value from the fact that the songs were recorded at the legendary Chess Studios in Chicago—a location deeply connected to the musicians who profoundly influenced the Rolling Stones. The result is an immediate, energetic, and raw sound that perfectly captures the band at the very beginning of its career.

The A-side opens with "If You Need Me" and "Empty Heart," followed by the instrumental "2120 South Michigan Avenue," named after the Chess Records address. The B-side features the blues standard "Confessin' The Blues" and a spirited rendition of Chuck Berry's "Around And Around."

Five By Five is also interesting as a snapshot of the moment just before the songwriting duo of Jagger and Richards began to more actively shape the group's own repertoire. For this reason, the EP offers a concentrated look at the musical roots from which the Rolling Stones' signature sound would eventually evolve.

This copy features the classic blue-and-silver Decca label with a 4-prong center. It comes in the orange Decca company sleeve shown in the photos; the sleeve is not the original Five By Five picture sleeve.