The Rolling Stones have been around for a long time, especially for a rock n' roll band. In Rolling Stones Illustrated History of Rock N' Roll they claim "rock n' roll meant the Rolling Stones". The group had the style, musical identity, and attitude at the right time to become icons that have lasted longer than any other group of that time. What really separates The Rolling Stones from the rest is Mick Jagger's lyrical style. There are few loves songs that have come out of the band's vast song collection. Songs like "Paint it Black" and "Gimme Shelter" were not the normal happy rock fair that was coming out at the time. Illustrated History talks about Jagger's favorite subjects to write about being "decay of the upper class", sex, and even "the most accurate LSD song ever". Compared to the Beetles albums such as  Sgt. Pepper  or Abbey Road this music seemed downright dark. While other bands were too mainstream, so much so that even parents would listen to them, the Rolling Stones gave a greater outlet for the more rebellious youth. Then there was the tragedy of Altamont, a giant concert just a few months  after Woodstock with much darker connotations. A much more violent and rowdy crowd was present for The Rolling Stones than the three day festival. Their music acknowledges the darkness and problems in the world and at this huge concert they were faced first hand with it.

With such a vast history comes a long history of music being used in film and television as well as being covered by a variety of artists. War films love to make use of their discography. Apocalypse Now uses the upbeat music with downbeat lyrics of "Satisfaction". Full Metal Jacket makes good use of the mellow "Paint It Black". The comedic Tropic Thunder plays "Sympathy For the Devil" with some irony over actors pretending to be soldiers. The Rolling Stones rock sounds with their lyrics that sometimes lean to the dark and depressing side lend themselves to the mood of most war films. Over the years several covers of their work have worked their way into film and television. "Sympathy For the Devil" is especially popular to redo. The linked version is Guns N' Roses cover from 1994 that accompanied the film Interview With the Vampire. The band Styrofoam Bible also did a version for a film about vampires in the rock n' roll world called Suck. Since the lyrics are so focused on a seemingly immortal being witnessing terrible events the vampire connotation makes sense. The television show Sons of Anarchy loves the Rolling Stones, using both original versions and covers. Their best cover is one of "Gimme Shelter" sung by the show's band. The style of rock n' roll the Stone perform lends itself to the dark worlds often portrayed in the world of film and television.