“Gimme Shelter”
Song by The Rolling Stones
from the album Let It Bleed
Released	5 December 1969
Recorded	23 February & 2 November 1969
Genre	Hard rock[1] blues rock psychedelic rock[2]
Length	4:37
Label	Decca Records/ABKCO
Songwriter(s)	Jagger/Richards
Producer(s)	Jimmy Miller
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“Gimme Shelter” is a song by the Rolling Stones. It first appeared as the opening track on the band’s 1969 album Let It Bleed. Although the first word was spelled “Gimmie” on that album, subsequent recordings by the band and other musicians have made “Gimme” the customary spelling. Greil Marcus, writing in Rolling Stone magazine at the time of its release, said of it, “The Stones have never done anything better.”^[3]

The recording features Richards playing in his new open tuning on electric guitar. The recording also features vocals by Merry Clayton, recorded at a last-minute late-night recording session during the mixing phase, arranged by her friend and record producer Jack Nitzsche.^[4] Lisa Fischer was later recruited to perform the song during their concerts.

Inspiration and recording[edit]

“Gimme Shelter” was written by the Rolling Stones’ lead vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, the band’s primary songwriting team. Richards began working on the song’s signature opening riff in London whilst Jagger was away filming Performance. As released, the song begins with Richards performing a guitar intro, soon joined by Jagger’s lead vocal. Of Let It Bleed’s bleak world view, Jagger said in a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone magazine:

Well, it’s a very rough, very violent era. The Vietnam War. Violence on the screens, pillage and burning. And Vietnam was not war as we knew it in the conventional sense. The thing about Vietnam was that it wasn’t like World War II, and it wasn’t like Korea, and it wasn’t like the Gulf War. It was a real nasty war, and people didn’t like it. People objected, and people didn’t want to fight it… That’s a kind of end-of-the-world song, really. It’s apocalypse; the whole record’s like that.^[5]

Similarly, on NPR in 2012:

It was a very moody piece about the world closing in on you a bit… When it was recorded, early ’69 or something, it was a time of war and tension, so that’s reflected in this tune. It’s still wheeled out when big storms happen, as they did the other week [during Hurricane Sandy]. It’s been used a lot to evoke natural disaster.^[6]

After the first verse, guest vocalist Merry Clayton enters and shares the next three verses. A harmonica solo by Jagger and guitar solo by Richards follow, then with great energy, Clayton repeatedly sings “Rape, murder! It’s just a shot away! It’s just a shot away!”, almost screaming the final stanza. She and Jagger then repeat the line “It’s just a shot away” and finish with repeats of “It’s just a kiss away.” (Of her inclusion, Jagger said in the 2003 book According to the Rolling Stones: “The use of the female voice was the producer’s idea. It would be one of those moments along the lines of ‘I hear a girl on this track – get one on the phone.'” ) Summoned—pregnant—from bed around midnight by the producer Jack Nitzsche, Clayton made her recording with just a few takes then returned home to bed.^[4] It remains the most prominent contribution to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist.^[7]

At about 2:59 into the song, Clayton’s voice cracks under the strain; once during the second refrain on the word “shot”, then on the word “murder” during the third refrain, after which Jagger is faintly heard exclaiming “Woo!” in response to Clayton’s powerful delivery. Upon returning home she suffered a miscarriage, attributed by some sources to her exertions during the recording.^[8] Merry Clayton’s name was erroneously written on the original release, appearing as ‘Mary’. Her name is also listed as ‘Mary’ on the 2002 Let It Bleed remastered CD.

The song was first recorded in London at Olympic Studios in February and March 1969; the version with Clayton was recorded in Los Angeles at Sunset Sound Recorders and Elektra Studios in October and November of that same year. Nicky Hopkins played piano, the Rolling Stones’ producer Jimmy Miller played percussion, Charlie Watts played drums, Bill Wyman played bass, Jagger played harmonica and sang backup vocals with Richards and Clayton. Guitarist Brian Jones was present during the early sessions but did not contribute, Richards being credited with both rhythm and lead guitars on the album sleeve.

Releases on compilation albums and live recordings[edit]

“Gimme Shelter” quickly became a staple of the Rolling Stones’ live shows. It was first performed sporadically during their 1969 American Tour and became a regular addition to their setlist during the 1972 American Tour. Concert versions appear on the Stones’ albums No Security (recorded 1997, released 1998), Live Licks (recorded 2003, released 2004), Brussels Affair (recorded 1973, released 2011), and Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live (2013). A May 1995 performance recorded at Paradiso (Amsterdam) was released on the 1996 “Wild Horses” (live) single and again on Totally Stripped (2016).

The song appears in the 2010 official DVD release of the 1972 Rolling Stones tour film, Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones. It is also featured on Bridges to Babylon Tour ’97–98 (1998), Four Flicks (2003), The Biggest Bang (2007), and Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live (2013).

The female contributor to the song live is Lisa Fischer, the only woman to appear in all their tours since 1989.

In their 2012 50th anniversary tour, the Rolling Stones sang this song with Mary J. Blige, Florence Welch and Lady Gaga.

“Gimme Shelter” was never released as a single. Nevertheless, it has been included on many compilation releases, including Gimme Shelter, Hot Rocks 1964–1971, Forty Licks and GRRR!.

Music video[edit]

Michel Gondry, an Academy Award-winning French filmmaker, directed a music video for the song, which was released in 1998. The video features a sixteen-year old Brad Renfro, playing a young man escaping with his brother from a dysfunctional home and the abuse they suffered at the hands of their abusive alcoholic father, and then from society as a whole.^[9]

Personnel[edit]

• Mick Jagger – lead vocals, harmonica
• Keith Richards – guitar, backing vocals
• Bill Wyman – bass
• Charlie Watts – drums
• Nicky Hopkins – piano
• Jimmy Miller – percussion
• Merry Clayton – co-lead vocals (credited as “Mary Clayton”)

Accolades[edit]

“Gimme Shelter” was placed at number 38 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004. Pitchfork Media placed it at number 12 on its list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s”.^[10] Ultimate Classic Rock put the song at number one on their Top 100 Rolling Stones songs ^[11] and number three on their Top 100 Classic Rock Songs ^[12]

In popular culture[edit]

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The 1970 documentary film Gimme Shelter, directed by Albert and David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin, chronicling the last weeks of the Stones’ 1969 US tour and culminating in the disastrous Altamont Free Concert, took its name from the song. A live version of the song played over the credits.

The song was used in the TV movie Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1987).

The song was played in a commercial for the American Red Cross‘ “Play Your Part” public service advertising campaign in 1989. This particular commercial featured popular music artists such as Carly Simon, Branford Marsalis, and Randy Travis providing service in an effort to attract more young people to serve.^[13]

Martin Scorsese has used the song as a theme in his crime films Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and The Departed (2006), though not in his documentary Shine a Light (2008) about the Stones.

It was also used in the films Adventures in Babysitting (1987), Air America (1990), Wild Palms (1993), The War (1994), The Fan (1996), Layer Cake (2004), and in both Flight (2012) and its trailer.

The song was used in a commercial for the game Call of Duty: Black Ops and during the closing moments of the second season of Entourage.

The song was used on The Simpsons episode “Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays“, in a scene parodying Woodstock.

The song was used in the fifth episode in the second season of Showtime series Dexter.

The song was used in the closing scene of the series finale of Showtime’s series Masters of Sex.

The song was used in season 4/episode 5 (“Dawn Budge”) of the FX television series Nip/Tuck, which aired on October 3, 2006. It begins during the final scene of the episode and continues over the closing credits.

The song is used in the Life series, episode 10, season 1 (season finale) in 2007.

The song was also used in a Heineken beer commercial featuring Brad Pitt in 2008.

Gimme Shelter is also the title of a 2013 drama film, starring Vanessa Hudgens.

It is used at the end of Person of Interest, season 2, episode 10, 13 December 2012, titled “Shadow Box” as Reese, and three other men in suits, are arrested by the FBI. The episode’s plot line concerns an effort by a disabled veteran to steal and return money stolen from other veterans.

The song was used in a February 2013 episode of The Daily Show spoofing the Scorsese uses of the song in a news segment by Jason Jones “exposing” the underground maple syrup criminal organization in Quebec, Canada.^[14]

In June, 2013, Hockey Night in Canada used the song as a part of the closing montage for the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs.^[15]

The story of Merry Clayton’s contribution to the song is discussed in the documentary film, 20 Feet from Stardom.

During 2014, it was used on the Universal Channel UK promos for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The song was used in the 10th episode of the 2nd season of Covert Affairs.

The song was used for ABC‘s coverage of the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

The song was used in the trailer for the 2014 Rupert Wyatt film The Gambler.^[16]

According to WatchMojo.com, the song is ranked 9 among the “Top 10 Overused Songs In Movies And TV”.^[17]

In 2016, the song appeared in the 20th episode of season 11 of the United States television series Supernatural entitled “Don’t Call Me Shurley“.

Cover versions[edit]

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• Ruth Copeland on her first album Self Portrait, performed with George Clinton‘s Parliament, in 1969 (reissued on The Invictus Sessions in 2002)
• The original backing singer, Merry Clayton, recorded her own version in 1970 which entered the Billboard Hot 100.
• Grand Funk Railroad on the album Survival in 1971; a number 61 US single
• Josefus for their album Dead Man.^[18]
• Puddle of Mudd on the 2011 album Re:(disc)overed.
• The Sisters of Mercy in 1983, on the B-side of their single “Temple of Love” (released on the album Some Girls Wander by Mistake in 1992). In this version the words “shot” and “kiss” were interchanged.
• The London Symphony Orchestra on the album Symphonic Music of The Rolling Stones. This version of the song is heard in the Children of Men (2006) trailer.
• Patti Smith released the song as a single from her April 2007 covers album Twelve.^[19]
• Paul Brady & the Forest Rangers covered the song for the final episode of season 2 of Sons of Anarchy. This version is available on the 5-song EP Sons of Anarchy: Shelter.
• Tom Jones recorded the song with New Model Army. It was released on his album The Definitive Tom Jones 1964-2002.^[20]
• U2 covered the song at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame benefit concert on 30 October 2009, with Mick Jagger sharing lead vocals with Bono and featuring the Black Eyed Peas members Fergie, singing Merry Clayton’s vocal part, and will.i.am, playing piano and synthesizer.
• The Underachievers used the introduction of “Gimme Shelter” for the production of their 2013 single “The Proclamation”.
• Stone Sour covered the song on their EP Straight Outta Burbank… with female vocals performed by Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.
• Jazz vibist Cal Tjader covered the song on his 1971 album Agua Dulce.

“Putting Our House in Order” project[edit]

In 1993, a Food Records project collected various versions of the track by the following bands and collaborations, the proceeds of which went to the Shelter charity’s “Putting Our House in Order” homeless initiative. The versions were issued across various formats, and had a live version of the song by the Rolling Stones as a common lead track to ensure chart eligibility.

“Gimme Shelter” (pop version – cassette single)

• Voice of the Beehive and Jimmy Somerville
• Heaven 17 and Hannah Jones

“Gimme Shelter” (alternative version – CD single)

• New Model Army and Tom Jones
• Cud and Sandie Shaw
• Kingmaker

“Gimme Shelter” (rock version – CD single)

• Thunder
• Little Angels
• Hawkwind and Samantha Fox

“Gimme Shelter” (dance version – 12″ single)

• 808 State and Robert Owens
• Pop Will Eat Itself vs Gary Clail vs Ranking Roger vs the Mighty Diamonds vs the On U Sound System
• Blue Pearl (produced and mixed by Utah Saints)

See also[edit]

• List of anti-war songs