The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (REACTION) WRITER REACTS - First Time Hearing It

[@daveman15]

The female voice is Merry Clayton. Incredible story about how she came to do that recording - look it up. In the middle of the night, she was called in to the session - arrived still in her pajamas, hair in rollers and four months pregnant.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Now that is a story 😃. Thanks for sharing.

[@d.l.607]

@@SaeedReacts.Unfortunately she lost the baby right after😓 Watch the movie *20 Feet From Stardom* It's an amazing movie about background singers including Merry Clayton and many others, you'll see that story, they also interviewed Mick Jagger

[@catherinehoffpauir6323]

True story

[@randallpetersen9164]

@@SaeedReacts. You can tell how hard she worked lby how her voice cracks there. She was willing to do it over but Mick said it was perfect. Unfortunately she worked so hard that she miscarried the next day. Absolutely true.

[@phonebone81]

You are all right. Unfortunately - later, I think in 2014, she had a serious accident in which she lost both legs. What a sad story for such a great and legendary female singer. I love her voice on the record still today !

[@ronlyster5667]

As great as the Stones are on this one, Merry Clayton steals the thunder! Incredible vocals.

[@colleentrygg7376]

The woman’s name is Merry Clayton. Phenomenal song. Written during the Vietnam war time but sadly more relevant today. One of the greatest guitar riffs ever IMHO.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank you for letting me know! I was wondering who that was. Sadly very relevant indeed. And that riff is truly incredible!

[@BRLaue]

Not sure the war had as much to do with it as Mick with Keith’s girlfriend.

[@rexracer3221]

Mary Clayton hated that her voice broke on the last "Murder", but the Stones loved it, so they used that track... She really elevated the song to a new level.

[@KC3141]

When she sings that you can hear Mick saying, "Whooo!". It is very faint.

[@scott3744]

It's *perfect* , so glad they didn't 'fix it' or redo it 👍😎

[@davidvsr]

This young lady with the Amazing backround vocals gives me chills! Her manager called her after hours one night. Says he's got a band in the studio in need of backround vocals. She shows up with curlers in her hair, very pregnant, and a masterpiece was created.

[@darkpitcher5242]

If the Stones only recorded one track and this was it they would still deserve their place in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, Merry Clayton makes this track one of the greatest tracks of all time

[@dkxkee]

You can make a strong case that this may be THE perfect rock and roll track.

[@leonardkrasner4399]

My favorite Stones album. So many great song including the overplayed You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

[@lisaberry862]

IMHO, this song has the coolest intro of any song EVER!!

[@danielrushton982]

@@lisaberry862 Yep. One of the best intros in rock history!

[@jeffwooten5205]

Ex Infantry soldier in the 82nd ABN and 3rd INF in Germany (met the Soviets at the Czechoslovakian border back in the day). This song resonates quite deeply to me.

[@cindydepriest3720]

AATW! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

[@michellefranco5648]

Thank you , you and every one of your fellow soldiers do something not many of us will take on. Thank you

[@hongfang2348]

One of their 2 best songs, IMO, the other being Sympathy for the Devil

[@larryleyba6496]

These dudes are still producing music. I saw them live in Vegas in May of last year. They were promoting an album they released in late 2023. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are in their eighties. They can still put out some really good music and put on one hell of a live show. there were over 60,000 people in Vegas.

[@wanderer0617]

I was at that concert too!

[@larryleyba6496]

@wanderer0617 it's on KZbin from beginning to end.

[@CharCanuck14]

Always has been my favourite Stones song! On Merry Clayton's 3rd "murder' her voice cracks (which is beautiful) and you can hear Jagger yell an amazed "whoop" in the background. Great reaction Saeed.....bedankt!

[@raymondgilbert1341]

Many of the songs written back in that era will remain relevant forever. They wrote about the ills that humanity will never be able to cure and they were not afraid to speak the plain truth about it.

[@MaddyN999]

Definitely need to look up the story of Merry Clayton coming in to record her parts with the Stones. It would take half a page to explain lol

[@williamdemerchant7295]

It's a sad one too. She released an album in 2021.

[@kenrathbun9383]

"Monkey "Man", off that same album('Let It Bleed'), is another must-listen.

[@beckiramsey9561]

Gotta love the Stones, another GREAT hit!!!🔥🔥 Go Saeed!!❤❤

[@laynestj]

Merry Clayton, primarily a gospel singer, was only 20 years old and pregnant when she recorded with the Stones on this.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

I love the guitar work on this song and the woman's vocal part is excellent.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Many comments will fixate on Merry’s vocals, but I think the other interconnected parts have to be there for Merry to shine. Keef’s tremolo effect on guitar and that driving rhythm, Charlie’s thudding drum fills, the way the intro builds up, Jagger’s distorted harmonica, producer Jimmy Miller’s percussion (güiro and maracas), Bill’s brooding bass lines, and even Nicky’s tinkerings on the piano all play an integral part in capturing the dark ethos and apocalyptic tone of the song-Merry’s more like the cherry on top.

[@anthonyblakely399]

This song is my top No.1 song from The Rolling Stones because of the lyrics, the musicianship, the melody of the song, the message of the song about "WAR." and when I first heard it on the Radio.....I fell in love with the Rolling Stones!!! I get emotional about this song with is apart my inner grief about the violence we are experiencing today....back then it was the Vietnam War. But the violence on the streets in different places in the world....i get emotional. great song!!! and Merry Clayton's voice is soooooo good Her voice just goes through my very being!!!! Love this song!!!

[@SaeedReacts.]

Must have been quite the experience hearing it on the radio for the first time. Truly great song!

[@Lexwell_Lavers]

You can always go back and credit Dylan for bands to create songs with lyrics like this in Rock. Let It Bleed is one of The Stones crown jewel albums. Keith Richards plays all of the guitars on this album, work horse, and genius song writer along with Jagger.

[@captainsatellite2112]

Cool you heard the 1st album and got to hear this for the first time just now. I have seen them several times and they are awesome. Absolutely top tier, like Beatles, Zep and Floyd.

[@sammyd8860]

This a great song to hear live at their gigs - always gives the chance to their female backing singer to shine in the spotlight.

[@clifton8929]

The great Merry Clayton. The Rolling Stones deserve their place as Icons and Rock & Roll royalty. Great job with your music and commentary.

[@WeWatchShortShorts]

My favorite song by them… and my Favorite album by them

[@wanderer0617]

The Stones have been my favorite band since I was 12 in '68. That dates me! This song is powerful, and watching it live is another experience. I saw them the first time in 1975, they sang this. More in-between up until last May when I saw them play this again. Damn. They're awesome. Thank you!

[@Tracy-fromHouston]

One of my favorite Stones songs and I do agree with you sadly on how relevant this song is today. Some other hits they have for starters are Wild Horses, Start Me Up, Angie and You Can’t Always Get What You Want.😊

[@brucefrank5556]

I saw the Stones in a outside concert when Charlie was still with us. As they were performing this song it started to pour. It added a very cool vibe to an already great song. The rain coming down through the spotlights.

[@barryjurgensen9396]

It features prominent guest vocals by American singer Merry Clayton. "Gimme Shelter" was never released as a single.

[@ThePhantomBeatlemaniac-t2r]

You get it. Especially on the point of how the turnaround at the end makes the point of the song and makes this one of the greatest and most human songs of all time.

[@annakermode6646]

My fave from the Stones.

[@MaddyN999]

They have such a deep catalogue and their writing just kept getting better throughout the years. Too many great songs to list but I’m sure requests will keep coming in

[@mattreynolds612]

Monkey 🐒 Man is the cream of this crop for me!!! Great album in General. Get 'em Saeed! Always happy to see a new reaction by you!. 🩵✌️☮️🕊️ Gimme Shelter was epically popular back in the day. Amazing Iconic Jam. Luv the Sister's vocals backing Mick!!!💃🎤🕺

[@TheNotedHero]

Fantastic song! And so good that there's no logical place for you to pause it! These unsettled times, I'm finding that the past era's songs suddenly are a warning to us. - Ha, you just said as much in your closing summary.

[@dixie3086]

Lisa Fischer does a great job in later years. Another great voice.

[@debbers]

Hey Saeed, Good song, glad you reacted to it!

[@aitorledesma4295]

Hahaha, you said "wow" at the same time as Mick did in the record.

[@timithius]

I really admire the way you're approaching the Rolling Stones. Going all the way back to the original blues artists, where the Stones got their licks. And listening to the early covers. Acknowledging their genesis, and following their evolution is "the way". 🙂 This was such an amazing time in their career. This album, "Let it Bleed" came on the heels of "Beggar's Banquet", and was followed by "Sticky Fingers". And then "Exile on Main Street". So much talent! It was staggering. You could devote a channel to the Rolling Stones. Well maybe a year. Google says they have 31 studio albums and 13 live albums. In any case, I'm loving this. I like when you said that Jagger seemed more comfortable playing the Rock Star. That was quite profound. Because it's true, Mick grew into the Rock Star. And they were on a roll now!

[@Rob-eo5ql]

September 2001, John Mellencamp opened his shows with this. I somehow got a seat front row center. During the intro, John was stage left. Intense. Smoking a cigarette. Then the band kicks in. He spikes his cigarette like a football. Struts out and absolutely kills it for the next 2 hours straight. Half way through, the band was going OFF. One of the backup singers was five feet away from me. I mouthed, “Incredible! This. Is. EFFIN. Incredible!” She mouths back, “I KNOW. RIGHT!!” Best concert I’ve ever been to. 2 days later: the 9-11 attacks. “War!! Children!!” Crazy.

[@mikecaetano]

Nice! I saw Mellencamp open for Heart in 1981 when he was still going by Cougar and he rocked super hard and stole the concert from Heart. Great show.

[@timithius]

I was so excited to see this in my feed. In a catalogue of brilliant Stones songs, this will always be my favorite. It's as powerful now as it ever was. I knew you'd enjoy this one. And there are so many great Stones songs to come. I'm giddy with anticipation. 🙂

[@bobdelp2023]

EPIC, CLASSICCCC, LEGENDARY STUFF SAEED, NO QUESTION?!!! 💯😊HUGE LIBRARY OF COURSE AND I REMEMBER YOUR REACTION TO ( SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL ) MY FAVORITE FOR OVER 50 YEARS NOW IS ( ANGIE ) 👍KEEP ENJOYING THE GREATS MY FRIEND!

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Great song from a great album. Merry Clayton also on vocals.

[@RalphSpoiledsport]

I usually heard this through 4" Radio Shack speakers, or through the metal dashboard of a 1972 Plymouth Satellite. It was hard to understand, but it rocked.

[@futuregenerationz]

This song is one of my favorites of all time. I'm going to just mention 3 albums that have never received their proper accolade. One from the 70s called 'Soap Opera' by the Kinks, an 80s album 'The Flat Earth' by Thomas Dolby, and a 90s Album: 'Brutal Youth' by Elvis Costello. Biggest Sleepers in my book.

[@umpdaddy1]

One of their best for sure. They have many great songs. I don't know if you've reacted to it or not but Can't You Hear Me Knocking is many people's favorite from them and I don't disagree. It's fabulous jazz/rock fusion.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

one of their best songs! dbl ♥

[@chrissiegle1065]

I guess Mick and Keith were hanging out with a friend in a flat in downtown London one day... right on the main street... And a riot broke out over a war protest on the street... people were actually throwing molotov cocktails, and it was out of control... I guess they were actually afraid of the flat burning down... that's where the idea and songs lyrics started for this song... how a war can break out during a mob... Great song. Great reaction. Thank you.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

None of that is true.

[@bazkeen]

One of the classic Stones songs of all time. Looks like everyone has brought you up to speed on Merry Clayton. A bit like what happened to Clare Torry and Pink Floyd in The Great Gig In The Sky👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@juliemanarin4127]

My favorite song by them

[@wentibbetts7833]

My fav Stones song! 🔥 Stones rolled into town 1nt looking for a backup singer for this track. A very pregnant Merry Clayton stepped up. There's a video on YT of her naked vocals with her and Mick interviewed. Watch it, incredible. Sadly, she lost that baby. 😪 LOVE THIS SONG! 😁 Thank you! ✌🏽

[@patriciab825]

great reaction Saeed!

[@Royal_BLT]

🇨🇦 The anthem of many a Soldier in Vietnam ! #BoomersRock 🇨🇦

[@robertlerman7892]

This song is so ironic especially now in southern California where I live , the wildfires are so bad with the Santa Ana winds , hopefully it will calm down later today . Prayers to all the folks who have lost homes , businesses, pets , innocent animals.🙏❤️😢

[@cindydepriest3720]

Loved your reaction. Very inciteful. Thanks for not pausing it.

[@arnoldcox9128]

One of the all timers

[@rachelpsmith3129]

Rock and roll, baby, for tomorrow we die.

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

Here is Merry Clayton talking about her experience recording "Gimme Shelter" (from the 2013 documentary "Twenty Feet from Stardom" which was all about back-up singers): kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2bJlJKOrdt0iZosi=Q8QrQiewYYjGaHEW

[@ohfour-seven6228]

Merry Clayton does a tremendous job on this song, however... Originally Bonnie Bramlett, of Delaney and Bonnie and Friends (one of my very favorite bands) was tapped to sing this duet with Jagger. They spent the afternoon rehearsing the vocals. Clayton's delivery is exactly Bonnie's style, including the break in her voice. Bonnie is known to be able to scream on key. Unfortunately they spent too much time rehearsing and Bonnie blew her voice and was unable to record the final take that night. Merry Clayton was called in and did a fantastic job, right down to Bonnie's patented vocal break. Originally everyone thought it was Bonnie doing the duet, it was so Bonnie-like. But Bonnie Bramlett insisted that Merry Clayton get the credit, knowing it would be a big boost for her career. Great song from The Stones, the funkiest of the classic rock bands. I'd suggest checking out the Stones' songs Let It Bleed, Moonlight Mile, Jigsaw Puzzle, Street Fighting Man, Salt of the Earth and You Can't Always Get What You Want. Amazing band!!!

[@leannlaplante3643]

I am sure you know this, moments of peace and/or happiness are precious. Savor those times. In a second, someone's ego gets hurt and off to war, we go again.

[@mitchellbeston1033]

Masterful!

[@davidmckenzie420]

One of their best--maybe the best.

[@victorjohnson7512]

Watch "twenty feet from stardom" a documentary about the back-up singers, including Merry Clayton.

[@zunbake3]

Wild Horses is one of my favorites for strumming and singing.

[@SaeedReacts.]

Must add that one to my list. Thanks!

[@seanfetterly3059]

Said too often and too easily but this IS a masterpiece

[@sourisvoleur4854]

The Stones' best song IMO. Merry Clayton stretching her voice until it beaks upstages the whole band.

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

Only the dead have seen the end of war.

[@jeffwooten5205]

Ex Infantry soldier in the 82nd ABN and 3rd INF in Germany (met the Soviets at the Czechoslovakian border back in the day). This song resonates quite deeply to me.

[@JonahPedersen-tz3uk]

USMC 87-93 Only passed through Europe. It was Gulf, Gulf and Gulf War for me.

[@NBKenC]

You being a movie buff, I am surprised you didn't recognize this. Scorsese has used it in a number of his films. Speaking of his films, I highly recommend his Stones concert documentary Shine a Light.

[@kimmack4669]

🤘 One of my Favorite Stones Songs

[@deborahpaley21]

their best song imho

[@nanook8721]

This is obviously a Rolling Stones song, but it belongs to Merry Clayton.

[@sweisbrod6109]

This is another anthem from the Vietnam war. Very popular "in country".

[@altaclipper]

Great song. The Sisters of Mercy did a cover of this that I also love.

[@ladyaudrey9976]

Great reaction, for a different vibe check out Angie, Wild Horses and Sister Morphine.

[@Diecastclassicist]

It’s just a shot away…. Looking for shelter here in the US.

[@steveshorrock]

Naked voice from Merry Clayton in gimme shelter xx kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZmyf6ichZV5e9U

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@williamdemerchant7295]

The guitars sound great, but whatever the guitar and harmonica effects that were used on this song are at least equally incredible. I can't remember hearing anything else in music sounding quite like it.

[@metallisomething653]

Rolling Stones - Heartbreaker

[@SaeedReacts.]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@DavidWalter-yl2ic]

Great song.A great cover of this was done by Tom Jones and New Model Army.Give it a listen

[@mickeygregg359]

I’d like to hear your take on a sadly neglected sleeper from that era: “Farewell Song” on the album “Live at Winterland ‘68” by Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin. - -

[@650Max]

Every reactor does Gimme Shelter, please break the mould by doing the title track instead.

[@ayatollahofarocknrolla403]

They just don't make music like this anymore