Gimme Shelter

Seek refuge in the haunting power of The Rolling Stones' 1969 masterpiece, "Gimme Shelter." The iconic opening track from Let It Bleed, this song captures apocalyptic dread with Keith Richards' legendary guitar intro, Mick Jagger's vocals, and Merry Clayton's searing guest performance.

Featured on the classic 1969 album Let It Bleed, "Gimme Shelter" reflected the turmoil of its era through a dark lens of hard rock and blues rock. Its ominous atmosphere, driven by Richards' distinctive guitar work and the unforgettable contribution from guest vocalist Merry Clayton, created an instant classic.

This powerful 1969 track remains one of The Rolling Stones' most acclaimed works. Its chilling lyrics invoking violence ("War, children, it's just a shot away"), combined with its blues rock foundation and hard rock intensity, make "Gimme Shelter" an enduring and potent musical statement.

SONG MEANING: Written amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War and social unrest, the song paints a bleak picture of impending violence, chaos, and societal breakdown ("Oh, a storm is threat'ning / My very life today"). The repeated plea "Gimme shelter" is a desperate cry for protection and refuge from the surrounding turmoil, war, and threat of violence ("Rape, murder / It's just a shot away").