This song clearly has multiple meanings. The initial two verses seem to indicate the Vietnam war and how people could be eradicated from the planet and from life with just a "shot." The third verse seems to indicate violent protesting and likely altamont. The fourth verse with the high pitched "rape, murder its just a shot away" likely indicates heroin use (and maybe the excessive drug abuse at altamont). The distorted guitar after the verse sounds like a druggy shot into the veins, and the piercing screams of Ms. Clayton seem to infer drug use (regardless of what the band says, a mainstream band like the Rolling Stones would never admit to blatant heroin references, so they instead imply it). The ending it's just a kiss away likely refers to Richards and Mick Jagger's wife's affair.
This song is essentially about living on the edge how life can change so fast at anytime. You could be happy one moment, and be blown up, have a horrible drug addiction or be cheating on your wife. The song has multiple meanings and is very 60s. Top ten rock songs of all time for sure.
@jsper Gimme Shelter was a track on Let It Bleed, which was recorded in sessions in February and November, 1969. I'm not sure about the entire track's history, but I do know that a very pregnant, sleepy Merry Clayton recorded the female vocals after being summoned to the studio one night in November, 1969.
@jsper Gimme Shelter was a track on Let It Bleed, which was recorded in sessions in February and November, 1969. I'm not sure about the entire track's history, but I do know that a very pregnant, sleepy Merry Clayton recorded the female vocals after being summoned to the studio one night in November, 1969.
Here's a bit of bitter irony (not to mention, spectacularly bad timing): Let It Bleed was released on December 5, 1969, THE DAY BEFORE Altamont.
Here's a bit of bitter irony (not to mention, spectacularly bad timing): Let It Bleed was released on December 5, 1969, THE DAY BEFORE Altamont.
I think everybody here is right to some extent.
This song clearly has multiple meanings. The initial two verses seem to indicate the Vietnam war and how people could be eradicated from the planet and from life with just a "shot." The third verse seems to indicate violent protesting and likely altamont. The fourth verse with the high pitched "rape, murder its just a shot away" likely indicates heroin use (and maybe the excessive drug abuse at altamont). The distorted guitar after the verse sounds like a druggy shot into the veins, and the piercing screams of Ms. Clayton seem to infer drug use (regardless of what the band says, a mainstream band like the Rolling Stones would never admit to blatant heroin references, so they instead imply it). The ending it's just a kiss away likely refers to Richards and Mick Jagger's wife's affair.
This song is essentially about living on the edge how life can change so fast at anytime. You could be happy one moment, and be blown up, have a horrible drug addiction or be cheating on your wife. The song has multiple meanings and is very 60s. Top ten rock songs of all time for sure.
@jsper The only thing is man...I'm pretty sure that "Gimme Shelter" was written before the Stones ever performed at the Altamont Speedway!
@jsper The only thing is man...I'm pretty sure that "Gimme Shelter" was written before the Stones ever performed at the Altamont Speedway!
@jsper Gimme Shelter was a track on Let It Bleed, which was recorded in sessions in February and November, 1969. I'm not sure about the entire track's history, but I do know that a very pregnant, sleepy Merry Clayton recorded the female vocals after being summoned to the studio one night in November, 1969.
@jsper Gimme Shelter was a track on Let It Bleed, which was recorded in sessions in February and November, 1969. I'm not sure about the entire track's history, but I do know that a very pregnant, sleepy Merry Clayton recorded the female vocals after being summoned to the studio one night in November, 1969.
Here's a bit of bitter irony (not to mention, spectacularly bad timing): Let It Bleed was released on December 5, 1969, THE DAY BEFORE Altamont.
Here's a bit of bitter irony (not to mention, spectacularly bad timing): Let It Bleed was released on December 5, 1969, THE DAY BEFORE Altamont.
@jsper im sure this song has nothing with drugs
@jsper im sure this song has nothing with drugs
@jsper “ The fourth verse with the high pitched "rape, murder its just a shot away" likely indicates heroin use ”
@jsper “ The fourth verse with the high pitched "rape, murder its just a shot away" likely indicates heroin use ”
WTF are you talking about? That doesn’t even make F’ing sense.
WTF are you talking about? That doesn’t even make F’ing sense.