The Rolling Stones - Gimmie Shelter (REACTION)

[@Frankincensedjb123]

With the Stones, you're almost always guaranteed to get something cutting, well-written, played, and produced. Why many call them the best band in rock 'n' roll. ;

[@Bikebrh]

That busted note on the "Rape...Murder" chorus is the most famous busted note in music history.

[@thegman8968]

That was Merry Clayton on the vocals. Her voice absolutely sends this already great track to EPIC status!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@williamlovett619]

Moving right along.👍👍

[@nazfrde]

There's a video interview with her out there on KZbin, where she tells the story of recording this. It's worth finding.

[@Greg-io1ip]

She was born on Christmas Day in 1948, thus : Merry Clayton. Born with a stage name set.

[@dbradx]

Absolutely worth watching '20 Feet From Stardom', a great documentary about killer backup performances , hers on this song included. Amazing story, especially since she was woken up in the middle of the night and laid this down in her bathrobe.

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Man... On the fourth "rape, murder" when her voice cracks and you can hear Mick just lovin' it in the background... Maybe my favorite part. And goes along with the story that they made her sing it over and over to wear her down a bit. They got just what they wanted the ol' school way. Brilliant.

[@RalphPugliese-eh7ph]

By far best beginning of any song awesome

[@thestones8022]

or same lp, monkey man....that piano...etc..

[@johnschaefer2238]

RP, all I have to hear is the intro and the hair on the back of my neck stands straight up!

[@davidmastro5406]

The solo by Merry Clayton where she sings "Rape, murder! It's just a shot away! It's just a shot away!" with such raw emotion is absolutely incredible. Such a powerful song.

[@markd4926]

Didn’t she have a miscarriage the day after?

[@ericskivers6643]

I learned they woke her up late at night to come and lay down the vocal and she was well along in her pregnancy

[@tommyk6719]

Her voice cracks in an iconic way. She sounded so realistic they left it in.

[@kevind4850]

Yeah, sadly she miscarried.

[@rosamattisse4652]

At the very end of her part, you can hear a “whoop” which is Mick Jagger in the control room. The mics were able to catch it.

[@glennburch1081]

Merry Clayton is an American Gospel and Soul singer. Arguably this is her most recognized performance.......... AND SHE NAILS IT, BIG TIME! 74 years old and still going. TY Merry for your contributions to this epic record. Great reaction guys, thanks.

[@512cbratch]

She nails it BIIIIIIIG time. Listen closely and you can hear someone give a “Whoo!” After that third “murder” 🤯

[@Historian212]

I believe she nailed this on the first take, too. Incredible singer.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Fortunately she lost her legs and a horrible car crash few years back. Became a paraplegic but she still getting along

[@mumbles215]

It’s killer that whoa. They got this girl out of bed in the middle of the night to do this Vocal. I think she was pregnant, too

[@shawfestify]

voice cracks the third time she sings it. It’s like a chord of feedback in Soundgarden song when you’re walking around the track in prison wishin you were dead, “Black Day.” That one chord keeps you wanting to to live 51%/die only 49% and after five years you get out & stop shooting dope & never go back. Amen.

[@anthonyv1719]

Her voice cracking is legendary on that track - they left it in - as it should be.

[@joescott8877]

OMG, just had a horrible thought if this epic song had been done today with that result. "Oh, never mind the cracking voice, we'll just auto-tune it out later." Vomit.

[@metaphoria3]

@@joescott8877don’t worry we woulda left it in

[@idalily3810]

@@joescott8877 RIGHT?!? Auto-tune is an abomination.

[@alexlevine2522]

I think her voice cracking was intentional. Exactly an octave. Mick Jagger's "whoop" on hearing it is also on the track.

[@lewisner]

And Mick going "Whoo" when she does it.

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

Mick’s producer called Merry up at home in the wee hours of the night, still in her pajamas and her hair in curlers (4 months pregnant) had her come down to the studio to record the backing tracks…… on the line “Rape,Murder her voice cracks and you can hear jagger yell whoaaa ! They left that on the album…… Merry Clayton miscarried the very next day 🙏🏻❤️🥲 ……she also was involved in a serious car accident (2014) and had both her legs amputated 🥲 didn’t stop her from singing ! She also sang for Lynyrd Skynyrd & Coldplay. (Legendary) (1969) #Vietnam 🔥❤️🎸

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Legend. Straight up. 👈

[@GTLyons]

good knowledge... one of my favorite Stones stories.... makes you appreciate what a labor of love this track was... Just like The Beatles and Zep they were all masters of the recording studio!

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Man... I didn't know that. 😕🥺

[@hackdaniels7253]

I hate the way this story is told as if it's something to celebrate. I really, really hate it.

[@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf]

@@hackdaniels7253 How would you like the story to go….. she falls into a deep depression and commits suicide ?? 🤡 the story is what happened, can’t change it for you !

[@dctbass]

The opening guitar riff never fails to send shivers down my spine, even after all these years and thousands of listens. And then; "Merry Clayton has entered the Game" Sublime.

[@vickipatterson9040]

You took the words right out of my mouth, that's exactly how I feel about this song. Goosebumps every time!

[@neilmartin99]

Imagine hearing this song for the very first time. It gets even better around the 50th listen. I know. 😉

[@steveullrich7737]

And is still great at more than 50 years old.

[@vicprovost2561]

Or the 5,000th or so, who knows, but I have heard it as much as any other in my lifetime.

[@bjones8470]

It amazes me, with this song and The Stones in general being such a huge part of my life for decades, that there are people that have never listened to this tune before.

[@시우시우-g8n]

I only recently heard this song and absolutely love it. Blew my mind on first listen. Amazing message and vocals.

[@kjisnot]

This is what recording sounds like when the band stands in a circle facing each other and raising the bar. At 3:56 you can hear a "woo!" which is Mick Jagger reacting to Mary Clayton's voice cracking.

[@willo8794]

Just heard that for the first time ever.

[@chrisdodson7647]

So classic!

[@pcariola1]

Yep. The isolated track is available on KZbin. It’s truly amazing. Recorded like 2am in a rain storm. One of the greatest impromptu vocals ever

[@schuylerkrizay6192]

thats pretty damn cool. yeah she absolutely murdered this track unreal

[@actuariallurker9650]

One of the best anti-war songs and top rock songs of the 1960s- released in Dec 1969 basically marking the end of the decade...

[@fredsanford5954]

Written at the height of the Vietnam war. Dark and intense, like riding a chopper into a hot LZ back in 'Nam. Singer is Merry Clayton, R&B/gospel singer from back in the day.

[@kraig7777]

I was just thinking when I used to hear this song on the radio Vietnam was on the news every day.

[@greggross8856]

Every time I hear the intro to this song, I see Hueys with a gunner sitting with his M 60 machine gun in the open door and a bunch of grunts behind him, heading out into God knows what. I the unofficial anthem of the Vietnam war.

[@astrident8055]

The anthem of pouring agent orange and napalm on unarmed civilians and freedom fighters

[@darrylbennett4297]

Let it Bleed is an absolute monster of an album, so good. The stones run from the late sixties to the mid seventies is amazing. They transitioned from a singles focus to an album focus. Beggars banquet Let it Bleed Sticky Fingers Exile on Mainstreet Goats Head Soup All great albums in a row, killer. Only Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie had runs like that in the 70’s.

[@justinatest9456]

Sabbath and Floyd as well.

[@jordan390a]

Don't forget Aftermath with Ruby Tuesday....

[@darrylbennett4297]

@@jordan390a truth

[@darrylbennett4297]

@@justinatest9456 truth again

[@Greg-io1ip]

Temptations, Deep Purple, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Floyd, The Who, Earth Wind and Fire, Ohio Players, Steely Dan, Trapeze...70's had tons of timeless bands and albums. More than I and others mentioned. But Stones were definitely in their prime in 1970's. I saw them once in concert late 90's, probably when they were at their lowest point (Keith's peak of addiction showed up on stage, Mick's voice shot, and seemed like the bad acoustics were intentional to try to gloss over it. But I know they were top notch all throughout mid 60's to early 80's. Which is impressive by any standards. Same thing with The Who and Clapton. I saw them both way past their primes.

[@markclark6824]

Keith has written some of the greatest riffs ever.

[@andrewtrotter9023]

Keith famously said on the documentary about his life as a Rolling Stone, “Solos come and go, but a riff lasts forever.”

[@richadambudgen7520]

Yeah he is a great song writer

[@camronbay1]

Damn right legendary.

[@suesebree8670]

I am 70. They are STILL my favorite group. LOVE watching your reactions to their greatness!

[@suesebree8670]

If the stories are to be believed, the Stones rang up Merry Clayton and asked her to sing on this. (Did she ever!!!!!) But she went home and had a miscarriage...

[@DrinkingmeadwithsamAdams]

Mary’s voice made this song as hitting as it was . A moment in time indeed.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

Clare Torry well known for Floyd's Great Gig... Merry Clayton known for Gimme Shelter. their claims to rock and roll fame She had a great voice.

[@tektoniks_architects]

Exactly the comparison I had in mind.

[@vicprovost2561]

Both give hair raising performances, they both should get a Grammy for their contributions to 2 songs that will be heard forever.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

@@vicprovost2561 Well it's estimated Clare Torry got 5 to 10 million from her lawsuit so one can argue that is better than a grammy lol

[@stillstanding8286]

Nobody mentions Nicky Hopkins’ (keyboards) contributions to the Stones music over the years enough. Vastly under appreciated unofficial member of that band in both the studio and in concert.

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

He was only unofficial because the Stones' management thought he wasn't a good visual fit for the band's image.

[@Greg-io1ip]

Interesting bio on Nicky Hopkins. Sad his health issues limited him to being a studio role player. Apparently he was so good he was in demand by most major bands. But he couldn't tour. Very interesting bio, but also sad. He was struggling financially much of his brief life. That's too much talent to have those burdens. His agent(s) used him sounds like.

[@jamesspanglet6702]

Why do people write dumb shit like this. Every Stones fan knows about Nick Hopkins. His contributions to the Stones and other bands get a lot of recognition.

[@harrygozzer8324]

Nadie desprecia al gran Nicky, es un gran Stone y todos lo amamos por siempre!

[@tektoniks_architects]

Show stopping vocals by Merry Clayton...one of the Stones' greatest tracks.

[@antarcticorb9197]

This song was written at a time when the world was really on a knife/edge of existence. A shot or a kiss could thrust the world into two different paths. I remember distinctly the feeling in the air at the time. I'm sure others who were alive then know exactly what I'm talking about.

[@jimbeller7948]

This song perfectly captures the gravity of that period in history. I grew up in the Vietnam era and was fortunate enough to be only 6 in '69, so I missed it. But I can remember worrying my dad was going to get drafted. I also remember the absolute energy & electricity in the air that you could feel -- even as a kid. There's a reason why the music from this era is so damn good - the best IMO.

[@chrisboerger465]

Truly one of the greatest songs by any band.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

The vinyl album says in large letters: “THIS RECORD SHOULD BE PLAYED LOUD”. When you do, you can hear a background hum or drone that Keith Richards says is produced from the 5-string open tuning he used here. He said it produces “notes that sound doubled when they’re not, notes that are there but aren’t”. Check out “Monkey Man” from the same album. It also uses open tuning and has Nicky Hopkins’ wonderful piano.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

Monkey Man is awesome.. Well, I admit it, I been tossed around By every she-rat in this town Have you, babe?

[@vicprovost2561]

Yeah, Monkey Man is dope, killer cut, the opening always gives me chills.

[@MaddyN999]

IMO one of their best. Merry killed it on this song. Sympathy for the Devil should be next. Great reaction!

[@doriwiljt]

Sympathy for the Devil from “Get Yer Ya Yas Out” is better than studio imo.

[@douglasgreen437]

One of the greatest songs ever to be recorded..

[@peterbuckby7319]

And needed in these time

[@samil5601]

Not necessarily the greatest ever song, but definitely in the top one.

[@laurabella13]

One of my favorite Stones songs

[@princeofpcos9804]

The harmonica in here is so effective. There's snippets all over the track. Sounds so awesome. Even though it only utilizes TWO NOTES.

[@1bigrowdy]

The documentary 20ft from Stardom is about background singers and has a segment on how Mary Clayton came to record this and the toured with the Stones

[@robertlear2712]

My favorite Rolling Stones song!

[@alex-E7WHU]

This song is without doubt the finest of songs. No competition.

[@christianalander9487]

This is, IMO, the greatest rock song ever recorded. It's just perfect. It always hits me in all the right places. So gritty, so passionate, so raw and beautiful. The best build-up intro, the most haunting descending riff, the bluesiest verse, the most intensely desperate lyrics, great harmonica, and oh my God those pipes of Merry Clayton. And played by possibly the best band of all time, during their greatest run. 🤘🙏❤

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

With the great Nicky Hopkins on keys. I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out; blew us all away. Great album too.

[@hughfoshee85]

Merry Clayton was prominently featured in "20 Feet from Stardom", a documentary about backup singers in rock and roll music. Her story about how her legendary performance on Gimme Shelter came about is fascinating.

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Great documentary

[@johneldridge8678]

The Stones have aTON of soul in them. Great band. Excellent reaction.

[@timothyroberts8347]

So glad to see this generation appreciate great music from the 60s 70s & 80s . Gives me hope for the future

[@mgman6000]

Best Stones song period

[@quentinburns8298]

Well, considering this may very well be the best rock and roll song ever, this would be true.

[@billdomitilli8125]

#1 Rock song for the 20th Century, as far as I'm concerned. Merry Clayton STILL gives me chills after all these years!

[@PIchief]

I’m an old AFRTS DJ. This, IMHO is the greatest rock song of all time.

[@christopherhuot2826]

I just love the way her voice cracks

[@ericanderson8886]

Love Mick on the harmonica on this one. Pretty brutal lyrics, but the draft and the war was causing a lot of strife in those times.

[@stayclean777]

The threat of nuclear war is still with us.

[@darylclifford]

Just gently trying to correct you (please, no disrespect), Mick plays the Blues Harp and not the Harmonica!! I

[@joansavarese2974]

​@@darylcliffordFYI call call it what you want . And no need for correction. The blues harp is slang for Monica. It's not a different instrument. The blues harp and the harmonica

[@joeyhuebner10]

​@@darylclifford- Mate, it's the same exact instrument.

[@darylclifford]

@@joeyhuebner10 I stand corrected - no need to repeat @joansavarese2974 - I told him no disrespect - so he offered a concise explanation, which I appreciate more than any blunt and repetitive remark!

[@edwardcapobianco2975]

Merry Clayton on backing vocals. She was a big part of 60s and 70s music. Sang on a ton of songs.

[@montalbans]

Merry Clayton OWNS this track.

[@glennk1931]

One of the best of that time. Mary Clayton’s voice is soulful, beautiful, and haunting.

[@smithpm81]

their best song

[@paulwalker9421]

The Stones were known for mixing R&B into their songs. A lot of sixties and seventies groups did .Hats of to Merry Clayton what a voice. She helped make this great song.

[@elleboucher]

If you watch 20 Feet From Stardom about all the female singers singing backup, you'll see and hear the story about how she became the singer on this song. She's the reason why I LOVE this song.

[@bonniethompson2019]

Merry Clayton gives me goose bumps.

[@daveromero1457]

Got to see them 2 times the best concerts I've ever seen. 1 in the 80s the 2 one in the 90s thanks for playing the STONES

[@bwheeler1970VB]

Read up on the part Mary Clayton, the female singer, had to play in the final cut of this record. That explains part of the soul sound.

[@bjones8470]

The Rolling Stones through about 1978 were always a very soulful culturally conscious band. I’m really happy that you let yourself get immersed into one of the greatest rock songs ever written that has been a part of so many different films and other media for many decades. I think if you looked into them you would find more that you enjoy. Try Monkey Man from the same album. Not quite as socially conscious but a very cool groove and definitely gritty as it gets. Rock on brothers

[@classic-kool]

When Merry Clayton sings the final line in her hook, you can clearly hear Mick Jagger shout "Yeah" on the track.... She ROCKED the whole band with her vocals!! 🤘😎

[@robertprice6830]

Dark side of the moon in vinyl in the background. Makes me feel 16 again. Instead of older than dirt.

[@Lusie828]

Have to say it again, Midnight Rambler live early 70's. Keith Richards describes it as a blues opera and feels that while anybody could have written any of their songs only Mick and himself would have thought to write this.

[@olly8]

👍🏻 Midnight Rambler!! It's such a picturesque song. I can see everything they are singing about. Perfect request.

[@scottbaker5998]

Mick on harmonica on this album, on this track and Midnight Rambler.

[@melvinwomack3717]

Whole let bleed album album is fiiire 👍

[@john-daviddennison2862]

Pure Magic.... Keiths haunting guitar, Mick on the harp..and a very pregnant Merry Clayton on backing vocals... Merry showed up to the Detroit session at around 2:00 a.m with curlers in her hair to do this track with some English boys called the Rolling Stones....

[@margaretirvine3267]

Goosebumps at the opening riff. Brilliant song!!!

[@tomtrahan8485]

Merry Clayton is an ICON!!!!!

[@joescott8877]

THANK YOU guys for rewinding after a pause to the beginning of Merry Clayton singing "Rape, Murder..."! So crucial to get that amazing vocal in its entirety, imo. They say, "rewind if you pause in the middle of guitar solos," etc. But the momentum and fierceness of her vocal solo here blows away a lot fo even great guitar solos, I'd say. So, thanks for being kind with the rewind! We didn't have to go "D'oh! They missed it, man!" LOL.

[@retha1875]

This whole album is absolutely amazing.

[@David60s]

Another GREAT song by the Rolling Stones - this; Can't you Hear me Knocking; Angie - are some of my favorites

[@terenzo50]

Merry Clayton!

[@jodimonday3188]

Goose bumps E V E R Y T I M E I hear this song. The lyrics are hit home and are so meaningful. ☮️

[@mgalarama1529]

Without a doubt, the very greatest intro to any song ever. You know in the first 5 seconds that something incredible is coming.

[@heltonfalusi9201]

This one is on my top #20 of all songs...masterpiece Merry clayton on backing vocals...if you don't know her...should react to "southern man"

[@시우시우-g8n]

This song has such an amazing message. Classic rock and Metal needs to be mainstream again. The messages were profound back then and still are now.

[@lanazugg-zugg8433]

Some songs never get old. I've heard this song a thousand plus times and it always sounds amazing. One of the greatest songs ever

[@patrickarts9091]

Sympathy for the Devil should be next.

[@russelbarnes7235]

Another all time top 5 band heard from! The Stones are amazing. Nice reaction as usual. Peace

[@ginnydominguez5493]

They do this so great live. One of there best songs ever.

[@tobinharris8107]

Goosebumps x 10 hearing this again and seeing you hear it for the first time. Thanks guys! 👍God bless Merry Clayton.

[@jimbo6413]

This tune in many ways summed up the mid-period Stones - dark, foreboding, apocalyptic. "Gimme Shelter" is a masterpiece.

[@workingman6681]

One of my favorite Stones songs.👍🎵

[@perrybernard1308]

"Sympathy for the Devil" is great Rolling Stones song.

[@princeofpcos9804]

My fave Stones song

[@kima.4268]

One of their best! Got to see them in 1978, my first concert ever. Anaheim stadium over 100,000 people. Stones were 4 hours late. Peter Tosh opened. Still something I'll never ever forget.

[@neilphelan145]

Great show! I was there too. Saw lots of rocking shows at that stadium.

[@Jules-um4yy]

Great Rolling Stones classic. Terrific driving beat along with brilliant background vocals and lyrics. Thanks guys for reacting to yet another fabulous Stones tune!

[@MrAitraining]

Top 5 Stones Track for me. A classic

[@ogmandog]

Check out the cut Live with Me off the same album. An underated gem. Keep doin whatcha doin gentlemen.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

They got earphone heads They got dirty necks They're so 20th century...

[@darrenmaxwell1085]

Just an epic rock song! Great vocals and guitar work! Great choice guys!

[@polopopolo2197]

I love how you can hear Mick Jagger in the background going, “yeah” he’s feeling merry Clayton too!

[@raybishop1130]

Kings of the intro!

[@heats13crazyness]

That voice crack....man!

[@AW11-e4h]

Greatest Rock N Roll Band ever 🤘🤘

[@mrnobody9104]

Middle of the night, pregnant with her hair in curlers and Merry didn't disappoint. True Profesional...man she killed that!

[@Greg-io1ip]

I was reading that she flew home after the studio sessions for Gimme Shelter and lost her child. That's bizarre and sad.

[@mrnobody9104]

@@Greg-io1ip very sad didn't know that

[@Greg-io1ip]

@@mrnobody9104 Truly is. She's had some rough times. Then again she went from a small black church gospel singer to globally heard legend. She deserved better luck. She's apparently still alive after losing both legs in a car accident/diabetes complications related to recovery (probably the contusions from the wreck clotted and had to amputate to save her life.). She must be truly tough.

[@tombystander]

That crack when that woman is belting her soul always gives me goosebumps

[@briangrigsby1842]

top 10 all time rock songs and ultimate best for Stones.

[@paulosborne1729]

I was shaking all during this reaction. Toe tapping good time. Thanks.

[@tomrockwood851]

The best Stones song and one of the best rock songs ever...hands down. Merry can't be beat!

[@pauletteriddle3776]

Vietnam era music. Best intro, and Merry vocals!

[@actuariallurker9650]

Had the pleasure of seeing late drummer Charlie Watts (RIP) at the Blue Note jazz club in NYC about 20 years ago when he played with his jazz/blues band from a front row folding metal seat just a few feet from the drum kit....he was just smiling the whole time as they jammed

[@gwensnyder8313]

Merry Clayton! 🔥

[@zachm2331]

As with a lot of songs released during the Vietnam Era, the lyrics to “Gimme Shelter” hit really deep.

[@josephtedrick7706]

The thing that hits me is the times when I remember hearing this. I was born in 62 and Paint it Black/ Get off of my Cloud was the first 45 I remember playing. When Gimme Shelter came out my brother just got back from Vietnam. Assassins were killing leaders and civil rights groups were being attacked by the military and police.

[@cletushouse906]

Merry Clayton. Female singer. Can not say enough good things about her.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Classic, classic record, which the Stones have made many. I can't say anything about this record that hasn't already been said. This is my favorite era of theirs--Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street. Thanks for a great choice, and a great reaction.

[@integraleric]

If you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend watching the Muscle Shoals documentary, which documents the history of the studio in which Gimme Shelter and many other legendary records were recorded.

[@14gilbertst]

That 'bass quake' at the beginning of the vocals gets me every time. That thumbnail is the poster for the movie.....a MUST see.

[@kimkovaly2393]

My all time favorite Rolling Stones song. ❤❤❤❤

[@ronkrupovich7152]

I love so many of their songs--but I think this is my favourite. Just spectacular! Saw them play it live. Wow!

[@cynthiasmith5144]

One of my Favs For sure❤ cranked. Love it Gents.

[@michaelsullivan6854]

Charlie and Keith are the glue here