How the Rolling Stones' 'Tell Me' Became Their First Original Hit and Changed Their Songwriting Path

The most surprising thing about ‘Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)’ isn’t that it was the first Jagger/Richards original to hit the charts—it’s that it was a gentle, almost shy ballad. In 1964 the Stones were still largely a covers band, pounding out R&B and blues numbers. But ‘Tell Me’ showed they could write something intimate and vulnerable, with a simple descending riff and heartfelt harmonies that felt miles away from ‘Not Fade Away’ or ‘It’s All Over Now’.

The single only reached No. 24 on the US Billboard chart, but that modest success was a turning point. Up to then, original material from British beat groups was rare—most bands leaned heavily on American blues and soul covers. ‘Tell Me’ proved to both the Stones and their label that Jagger and Richards could craft a radio-friendly pop song without borrowing