Meaning and Lyrics of Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
Song Lyrics meaning of Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
About The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones:
The Rolling Stones are a legendary British rock band formed in London in 1962. The band members consist of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and formerly Brian Jones and Bill Wyman. They are known for their enduring influence on rock and roll and their energetic live performances.
One of their iconic songs is “Gimme Shelter”, released in 1969 on their album “Let It Bleed.” The track features powerful vocals by Mick Jagger and a haunting backing vocal by Merry Clayton. “Gimme Shelter” has been praised for its raw emotional intensity and is considered one of the band’s greatest songs.
The Rolling Stones are a legendary British rock band formed in London in 1962. The band members consist of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and formerly Brian Jones and Bill Wyman. They are known for their enduring influence on rock and roll and their energetic live performances.
One of their iconic songs is “Gimme Shelter”, released in 1969 on their album “Let It Bleed.” The track features powerful vocals by Mick Jagger and a haunting backing vocal by Merry Clayton. “Gimme Shelter” has been praised for its raw emotional intensity and is considered one of the band’s greatest songs.
Meaning of Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
The song “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones is a powerful and haunting track that delves into themes of turmoil, violence, and the quest for safety in a world filled with chaos. Let’s break down the lyrics verse by verse to interpret its meaning.
Intro: The song begins with haunting vocals by Merry Clayton, setting a tone of urgency and foreboding.
Verse 1: Mick Jagger sings about a storm threatening his very existence, highlighting the impending danger and the need for shelter to survive.
Chorus: The repeated phrase “War, children, it’s just a shot away” emphasizes the imminent danger and the fragility of life in the face of conflict and violence. The repetition underscores the urgency and impact of the situation.
Verse 2: Jagger and Clayton paint a vivid picture of a fire sweeping through the streets, symbolizing destruction and chaos that engulfs the world. The mention of a “red-coal carpet” evokes imagery of destruction and upheaval.
Bridge: Clayton’s vocals bring in darker imagery of rape and murder, portraying the harsh realities of a violent world where such atrocities are just a shot away, reflecting the brutal and raw nature of the society depicted in the song.
Verse 3: The threat of a flood further heightens the sense of impending disaster, with the plea for shelter to avoid fading away, signifying the desire for protection and salvation in the face of impending doom.
Chorus: The repeated chorus reinforces the message that the threat of war and violence is ever-present, with the need for shelter and safety being just a shot away, underscoring the fragility and uncertainty of life.
Outro: The song ends on a somewhat hopeful note with the mention of love and kisses being just a touch away, offering a glimmer of comfort and solace amidst the chaos and turmoil depicted throughout the track.
The blend of Jagger’s vocals, Clayton’s powerful presence, and the instrumental elements come together to create a sense of urgency, desperation, and a yearning for refuge in a world plagued by strife and violence. “Gimme Shelter” is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of life and the eternal quest for a safe haven in a tumultuous world.
Intro: The song begins with haunting vocals by Merry Clayton, setting a tone of urgency and foreboding.
Verse 1: Mick Jagger sings about a storm threatening his very existence, highlighting the impending danger and the need for shelter to survive.
Chorus: The repeated phrase “War, children, it’s just a shot away” emphasizes the imminent danger and the fragility of life in the face of conflict and violence. The repetition underscores the urgency and impact of the situation.
Verse 2: Jagger and Clayton paint a vivid picture of a fire sweeping through the streets, symbolizing destruction and chaos that engulfs the world. The mention of a “red-coal carpet” evokes imagery of destruction and upheaval.
Bridge: Clayton’s vocals bring in darker imagery of rape and murder, portraying the harsh realities of a violent world where such atrocities are just a shot away, reflecting the brutal and raw nature of the society depicted in the song.
Verse 3: The threat of a flood further heightens the sense of impending disaster, with the plea for shelter to avoid fading away, signifying the desire for protection and salvation in the face of impending doom.
Chorus: The repeated chorus reinforces the message that the threat of war and violence is ever-present, with the need for shelter and safety being just a shot away, underscoring the fragility and uncertainty of life.
Outro: The song ends on a somewhat hopeful note with the mention of love and kisses being just a touch away, offering a glimmer of comfort and solace amidst the chaos and turmoil depicted throughout the track.
The blend of Jagger’s vocals, Clayton’s powerful presence, and the instrumental elements come together to create a sense of urgency, desperation, and a yearning for refuge in a world plagued by strife and violence. “Gimme Shelter” is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of life and the eternal quest for a safe haven in a tumultuous world.
Lyrics of Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones
Intro: Merry Clayton
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Verse 1: Mick Jagger
Ooh, a storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Ooh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away, yeah
Verse 2: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very streets today
Burns like a red-coal carpet
Mad bull lost your way
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children, yeah
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, yeah
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Guitar Solo
Bridge: Merry Clayton
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder, yeah, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Yeah
Verse 3: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
Mmm, a flood is threatening
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm going to fade away
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Outro: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
I tell you love, sister
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away
Instrumental Outro
Harmonica Solo
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Verse 1: Mick Jagger
Ooh, a storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Ooh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away, yeah
Verse 2: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very streets today
Burns like a red-coal carpet
Mad bull lost your way
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children, yeah
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, yeah
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Guitar Solo
Bridge: Merry Clayton
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder, yeah, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Yeah
Verse 3: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
Mmm, a flood is threatening
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm going to fade away
Chorus: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
War, children
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Outro: Mick Jagger & Merry Clayton
I tell you love, sister
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away
Instrumental Outro
Harmonica Solo
Discography The Rolling Stones
Hackney Diamonds (Live Edition)
Release: 2023-12-15
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
12. Rolling Stone Blues
13. Shattered – Live at Racket, NYC
14. Angry – Live at Racket, NYC
15. Whole Wide World – Live at Racket, NYC
16. Tumbling Dice – Live at Racket, NYC
17. Bite My Head Off – Live at Racket, NYC
18. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Live at Racket, NYC
19. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven – Live at Racket, NYC
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
12. Rolling Stone Blues
13. Shattered – Live at Racket, NYC
14. Angry – Live at Racket, NYC
15. Whole Wide World – Live at Racket, NYC
16. Tumbling Dice – Live at Racket, NYC
17. Bite My Head Off – Live at Racket, NYC
18. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Live at Racket, NYC
19. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven – Live at Racket, NYC
Hackney Diamonds
Release: 2023-10-20
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga)
12. Rolling Stone Blues
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Get Close
3. Depending On You
4. Bite My Head Off
5. Whole Wide World
6. Dreamy Skies
7. Mess It Up
8. Live By The Sword
9. Driving Me Too Hard
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga)
12. Rolling Stone Blues
Forty Licks
Release: 2023-07-26
Label: Polydor Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
1. Street Fighting Man – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
2. Gimme Shelter – Remastered 2019
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Mono
4. The Last Time – Mono
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
6. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Remastered 2019
7. 19th Nervous Breakdown – Mono
8. Under My Thumb
9. Not Fade Away – Mono
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? – Mono
11. Sympathy For The Devil – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
12. Mother’s Little Helper – Mono
13. She’s A Rainbow
14. Get Off Of My Cloud – Mono
15. Wild Horses
16. Ruby Tuesday
17. Paint It, Black
18. Honky Tonk Women
19. It’s All Over Now
20. Let’s Spend The Night Together
21. Start Me Up – Remastered 2009
22. Brown Sugar – Remastered 2009
23. Miss You – Remastered
24. Beast Of Burden – 2009 Mix
25. Don’t Stop
26. Happy – 2009 Mix
27. Angie – Remastered 2009
28. You Got Me Rocking – Remastered 2009
29. Shattered – Remastered 2023
30. Fool To Cry – Remastered 2009
31. Love Is Strong – Remastered 2009
32. Mixed Emotions – Remastered 2009
33. Key To Your Love – Remastered 2023
34. Anybody Seen My Baby? – Remastered 2023
35. Stealing My Heart – Remastered 2023
36. Tumbling Dice – 2009 Mix
37. Undercover (Of The Night) – Remastered 2009
38. Emotional Rescue – Remastered 2009
39. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It) – Remastered 2009
40. Losin’ My Touch – Remastered 2023
Tracklist
Collapse
2. Gimme Shelter – Remastered 2019
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Mono
4. The Last Time – Mono
5. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
6. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Remastered 2019
7. 19th Nervous Breakdown – Mono
8. Under My Thumb
9. Not Fade Away – Mono
10. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? – Mono
11. Sympathy For The Devil – 50th Anniversary Edition / Remastered 2018
12. Mother’s Little Helper – Mono
13. She’s A Rainbow
14. Get Off Of My Cloud – Mono
15. Wild Horses
16. Ruby Tuesday
17. Paint It, Black
18. Honky Tonk Women
19. It’s All Over Now
20. Let’s Spend The Night Together
21. Start Me Up – Remastered 2009
22. Brown Sugar – Remastered 2009
23. Miss You – Remastered
24. Beast Of Burden – 2009 Mix
25. Don’t Stop
26. Happy – 2009 Mix
27. Angie – Remastered 2009
28. You Got Me Rocking – Remastered 2009
29. Shattered – Remastered 2023
30. Fool To Cry – Remastered 2009
31. Love Is Strong – Remastered 2009
32. Mixed Emotions – Remastered 2009
33. Key To Your Love – Remastered 2023
34. Anybody Seen My Baby? – Remastered 2023
35. Stealing My Heart – Remastered 2023
36. Tumbling Dice – 2009 Mix
37. Undercover (Of The Night) – Remastered 2009
38. Emotional Rescue – Remastered 2009
39. It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It) – Remastered 2009
40. Losin’ My Touch – Remastered 2023
Upcoming Events for The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24
Price Range: $69.5 – 600
Date: 2024-07-13
Location: SoFi Stadium
Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24
Price Range: $31.5 – 949
Date: 2024-07-17
Location: Levi’s® Stadium
Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds '24
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Date: 2024-07-21
Location: Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
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