Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)

Untitled

Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) is The Rolling Stones' second official compilation album, released in 1969 shortly following Brian Jones's departure from the group and subsequent death.

In September, Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) - dedicated to Jones - appeared with a limited edition octagonal-shaped album cover. Because their first compilation had been released in separate UK and US formats (with the Aftermath-era material appearing only on the UK edition), the American edition included hit singles from that period.

The UK tracklist included the more obscure "You Better Move On", from The Rolling Stones' self-titled 1964 debut EP and "Sittin' On A Fence", an Aftermath outtake originally released in 1967 on the US-compiled Flowers album. In addition to those songs, many tracks, notably single-only releases, were collected for the first time on a UK Rolling Stones album: "Let's Spend the Night Together", "Ruby Tuesday", "We Love You", "Dandelion" and "Honky Tonk Women".

Both versions of Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) proved to be popular releases, reaching #2 in the UK and US with enduring sales.

In August 2002 the US edition of Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) was reissued in a new remastered CD and SACD digipak by ABKCO Records. The UK counterpart is currently out of print.

UK Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, except where noted.

Side one

1. "Jumpin' Jack Flash" – 3:40
   • Originally released as a single in May 1968
2. "Mother's Little Helper" – 2:45
3. "2000 Light Years from Home " – 4:45
4. "Let's Spend the Night Together" – 3:36
   • Originally released as a single in January 1967
5. "You Better Move On" (Arthur Alexander) – 2:39
   • Originally released on the 1964 EP The Rolling Stones
6. "We Love You" – 4:22
   • Originally released as a single in August 1967

Side two

1. "Street Fighting Man" – 3:15
2. "She's A Rainbow" – 4:11
3. "Ruby Tuesday" – 3:16
   • Originally released as a single in January 1967
4. "Dandelion " – 3:32
   • Originally released as a single in August 1967
5. "Sittin' On A Fence" – 3:02
   • Originally released on the American-compiled Flowers album in July 1967
6. "Honky Tonk Women" – 3:00
   • Originally released as a single in July 1969

US Track listing

Side One:

• Paint It Black (3:20)
• Ruby Tuesday (3:12)
• She's a Rainbow (4:35)
• Jumpin' Jack Flash (3:40)
• Mother's Little Helper (2:40)
• Let's Spend The Night Together (3:29)

Side Two:

• Honky Tonk Women (3:03)
• Dandelion (3:56)
• 2000 Light Years From Home (4:45)
• Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In The Shadow? (2:33)
• Street Fighting Man (3:10)

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1969 1970	UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart	2 7
1969 1970	Billboard Pop Albums Billboard Pop Albums	2 28

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1969	"Honky Tonk Women"	UK Top 50 Singles	1
1969	"Honky Tonk Women"	The Billboard Hot 100	1