Young man thank you for playing this. Vietnam War was going on. We were in high school and our friends were getting their draft cards and graduating high school.to go to Vietnam. No choice unless you could go to College. Music from our time was filled with activism, Stsvie Winder, Marvin Gaye Beatles Dylan. On and on. Stay safe and thank you for your reactions
Twon, my daughter told me to watch and comment to you about this song. I am 60 year old woman. Raised in the 60s and 70s. I was raised on The Rolling Stones, LED Zeppelin, Jimi, the Doors. This song is a reflection of the Vietnam War . I encourage you to read up on this war and how it affected our soldiers. Keep doing what your doing and exposing yourself to some of the greatest rock and roll there ever was.
Yes Trumpet Swan....I'm a 66 year old woman from the same era, same head space and probably the same mold. It was a very trying time but all the amazing music surrounding us gave us food for thought as well as incredible tunes. Thank you to Twon for going on this magic carpet ride!
I was born in 1970 and I remember seeing the Vietnam war on tv. My father was, and still is, a hippy. He was also a huge rock and roll and blues fan. I grew up listening to some of the best music ever written. It gave me a very unique upbringing as music and politics are usually at odds with each. Made me a well rounded rebel! Lol. O still listen to all these great classics. Today’s musicians seems to have lost their way. We need more bands and musicians that had all this raw talent, and emotion and to put it down on vinyl.
I've always took "shot" as "gunshot", metaphorically as well as literally: "We're in tense times, people are angry everywhere, all it takes is one person to make a move, and the floodgates break."
aaaalthought it does refer to gunshot - it also , being written during the Vietnam mess, to soldiers being strung out on gov't supplied heroin to keep them fighting...
They have so many songs why is it always this one? Angie don't you weep your kisses are still sweet...At their concerts Mick dances and runs the whole time he's so full of energy. Wild Horses, You can't always get what you want..Beast of Burden...Start me up....waiting on a friend...Miss You...Under my thumb is a girl who once pushed me around . The change has come she's under my thumb is a scruming dog whose just had her day. Its down to me the she talks when she's spoken to . .
The backing singer Merry Clayton randomly got a phone call in the middle of the night to perform on this song. She arrived in a dressing gown, tired and annoyed, feeling iffy about singing these lyrics. Then she created a classic moment in rock. If you listen closely towards the end, her voice cracks on that third ‘MURDER’, Mick Jagger the lead singer shouts ‘woo!’ in the background because he was so blown away by the raw emotion she threw into the vocals
This song contains 1 of the greatest vocal mishaps in music history, it's when Mary Clayton, a very young black woman was called to the studio to sing with some English boys!!! Her voice cracks during the word murder when singing her solo part and it was so awesome they kept it in the track!!!
Merry Clayton deciding to go for broke and having her voice break on the last "murder" is one of those legendary things that you could never plan but that end up being absolute music genius. You know it's perfect when you have it.
If I recall the legend correctly, Merry’s crescendo was done in one take. Mick thought they could never could recapture that magic, and it would dilute the intensity of the power of the song.
'it's just a shot away' - society can be like a tinder box, one spark can set it off - 'love sister, its just a kiss away' that's the other side of the coin, we can react to strife is society by either violence or love - the choice is ours. This song and this album was written at a time of extreem stress and violence in this society - much like today, I think this song could be an anthem for today.
This song came out in 1969 during the height of the Vietnam War and was considered an anti-war song at the time. However, World War 1 in 1914 had begun due to the assassination of Austria's Archduke Ferdinand by a single shot. For those living in the sixties, there were still many WW1 veterans still living and knew how WW1 started by the assassination, and that is what the lyrics were about. Gimme Shelter is still the best song they did during their legendary 50+ career of recording and touring, imo.
This song was written during the Vietnam War. It talks about how War, Rape, and Murder is a shot away(gun shot) where love is a,kiss away. There were a lot of protests saying Make Love not War, this song was sending that message
That’s the beautiful thing about music. You can interpret that line any way you want. Metaphorically it could actually be a gunshot. It could be somebody reacting in anger physically. It could be somebody saying something wrong to somebody else. It’s whatever you want to interpret it as.
There is a clip from the documentary "20 feet from Stardom" with Mick Jagger and Merry Clayton talking about recording her backup vocals for this song. Easy to find. Worth watching.
After Clayton belts out that last "rape, murder..." where her voice breaks, you can hear Jagger exclaim "Yea!", in response to what he KNEW was golden, a gut punch vocal, immediately upon hearing it. They chose to leave her amazing raw vocal, crack included AND his authentic reaction to it in the final cut. Classic.
Great clip from an amazing documentary ! Another must see is Clare Torry talking about recording Pink Floyd’s Great Gig in the Sky. Love seeing how these classics came to be and the women that made them great!!!
The group was(?). But the mag came much later, after The Rolling Stones were famous. Also after Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" song (also quite famous).
Alot there stuff is Vetitaim war era. Actual kiss your soilder n send him away. Or kids n war zone a kiss ur child and a shot away from gone. Real lyrics, real times. Like parents of today n our crazy world. Each day alot ppl kissed at begging of day and are really a shot away from not coming home. Real Shit.
"Can't you hear me knockin'" is one of their best. It's a departure from your usual stuff...They are mostly known for straight up 4/5 minute track, but with "Knockin'" you got the closest thing to a long jam as you'll get from them, and it REALLY kicks ass!
You're gonna love this one. Perhaps the best backing vocals ever. Merry Clayton, 2 or 3am on a moments notice, and 9 months pregnant. Fucking legendary man.
Well...a shot away...can be taken literally. WWI a hugely bloody war was started by a single gunshot that killed Archduke Ferdinand. Metaphorically, I suppose it could mean that just the slightest violence can lead to gigantic violence whereas love and peace, war’s opposite, only takes tender openness such as a kiss. Mary Clayton is the backup singer n this is one of the most famous songs where a backup absolutely crushes the part they’re given. Look on RU-vid for her interview about the song.
From what I understand a “shot away” just means something that will happen fast. From what I understand from the song it’s taking more about the end of the era of the 60s since there was so much unrest. Rape, Murder it’s just a shot away to me means that it can happen at anytime to anyone. But maybe that’s just me lol.
Finally got around to checking out the Stones eh? Good call! War and peace are a choice you make, a shot away or a kiss away. The Rolling Stones are one badass rock-n-roll band. Here's a long list in no particular order of assorted bangers and ballads to check out: "Honky Tonk Women" (1969), "Wild Horses" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (1971), "Jumpin’ Jack Flash" (1968), "Under My Thumb" (1966), "Paint It, Black" (1966), "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" (1965), "Street Fighting Man" (1968), "Mother’s Little Helper" (1966), "Play With Fire" (1965), "Let It Bleed" (1969), "Monkey Man" (1969), "Dead Flowers" (1971), "Miss You" (1978), "Dance Little Sister" (1975), "Bitch" (1971), "Angie" (1973), "Live With Me" (1969), "2000 Light Years From Home" (1967), "Rip This Joint" (1972), "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" (1973), "Start Me Up" (1981), "Shattered" (1978), "Tumbling Dice" (1972), "Rocks Off" (1972), "Beast of Burden" (1978) and so many more.
When you said you loved backing vocals, I giggled to myself. And waited. Ms. Merry Clayton, and the most iconic back up in history. 8 months pregnant, showed up with curlers in her hair in the middle of the night. AND KILLED IT. Things, including music was a lot different during the Vietnam War. Lots of protest in the music.
I like your reactions to the song, much like me when I first heard it. As others have mentioned the "shooting" part is like an analogy to any situation that feels threatening. It was written during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights era as a reaction to all the trauma and tension of the times, very similar to what we're experiencing now. And the final lyrics are upbeat in their hope that something that brings love and support like a kiss will bring the shelter that heals.
#NoLimitNation In The House!!! Twon, Looks like we introducing some *Rolling Stones* into the mix!!! 💯🔥💪 Sick background vocals right?! 🎤🔥🎸 They are a Legendary Band!! Many Hits!
The Rolling Stones came alone shortly after The Beatles. The were like the bad boy Beatles. This song was during the peak of the Vietnam War era. There were a lot of protest songs, as you can imagine. To counter the violence is to unite and love. Sister - it's just a kiss a way.
A fantastic lyric video, that I think I first saw a couple of years ago. I just turned 65, so I've certainly heard this song on the radio hundreds of times by now......but until actually seeing the video, I've never been able to make out exactly what he was saying. The same thing with their other lyric video......'Sympathy For The Devil'.
FYI my dear friend..................3. Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards drew their inspiration for 'Gimme Shelter' directly from the Vietnam War.
First time viewer here. Big history and stones fan. "war, it's just a shot away" refers to the escalating effect that one misguided or fearful action can have. The outbreak of WWI is a typical example. Top notch work though dude, you're quite eloquent, n certainly come of as genuine. Side note, the magazine named itself in honour of the band, and the band named themselves in honour of muddy's waters n his song 'rollin' stone'. Ya legend
There's an old saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss". This band picked up on that for their name. A couple years later, Bob Dylan wrote a famous song called Like A Rolling Stone. Then, the guy who started the magazine used it. All this happened in the 60s.
no they named themselves after a Muddy Waters song "Rollin' Stone"/ Catfish Blues..the Muddy Water's song is probably based off of the proverb, but not the basis for the Stones choosing it.
5:23 "This song just went dark". I love seeing the reaction (first time) of people when this song goes from serious to uber-serious. Thank you for posting this.
It means whatever you think it means, do early Stones before Brian died "Ruby Tuesday" It's All Over Now", "Under My Thumb", Lady Jane, also "She's a Rainbow"
OK sir I’m 66 years old when I came out way back when I was young I didn’t have any realization of what the background vocals were because they didn’t put any of the words in the liner notes but now you guys can hear perfectly clearly and everything else comes through perfectly clear and now I appreciate your reaction to it and it’s been all this time I never look at the goddamn fucking lyrics in the background what does beautiful soulful lyrics from thoce chouras of black ladies ❗️❗️❗️
this song is about the incidents at the free concert at Altamont California . They were performing the song ' Sympathy for the Devil' when tragedy struck . they didn't perform the song 'Sympathy ' for some time after. it's on you tube
Go old school with them go way back. "Get off my cloud" or "Beast of Burden". Anything really. A sound that evolved over time. Some early stuff epic in itself. Different genres different levels of Rock n Soul. 💖💖💖😎 Kool b4 Kool was Kool😎
Better late than never, but I like seeing the same reaction on the faces of younger generations when they first hear this song and as the song meant to the 60s/70s generation. The song also relates to riots in the streets of that time. One shot can start it all. You said every aspect of song is important so looking at the colors in the video you see mostly reds, whites and darker colors with sharp contrasts of red and white words. You also see greens and yellows which I think represents anti-war sentiments. You can see colors splashing and pouring through it all. If you look at the reds, you see spilling like blood and the drips look like blood spattering and through it all the explosions of war. It all applies to what is happening today in the world now as well. This is what makes the song timeless.
I love the look on his face before he starts the music like he's not expecting to think much of it. Then he just beams the most beautiful smile about 20 seconds in. That's what music is all about!
So good to see young people discover music from this era. It's no wonder they don't understand the significance. There's no modern day context. It was a war we had no real business being involved in. It was fought to combat communism, not because we were attacked. I was 10 when it ended and I don't feel I have the worthiness to explain it. I had many family members who fought in it and Thank God they all came home, not that it didn't affect them for the rest of their lives. Music of this era was very generational, and as good as it is, it's very haunting. So much conflict in that time for the soldiers who tried to fight it without support from anyone at home. No welcome home parades or fanfare, mostly ridicule. I remember watching nightly body counts on television every night at dinner, the protests, assassinations and civil rights riots. It was a confusing time, and I pray it never happens again. Thank you to all who served.
This song was released during a period of general social unrest. Wars and riots, etc., were pretty common --- especially in the US. There was a lot of music putting forth the philosophy of how by a single action an individual can make a difference whether to take the path of war or peace. John Lennon of the Beatles put up several huge billboards in major cities announcing 'War Is Over, If You Want It'. Easy thumbs-up for the smile that emerged from your face at the beginning.
Basically it's about what happened during the Vietnam war; Carpet Bombing, Rape, Murder all just a Shot away. War > Children are either the innocent casualties of war or the story being told to younger generations. The ending lyric; Love, Sister, is Just a Kiss Away is the message of hope and humanity. Now it was written in '69 in the heat of the Vietnam war and the nation's unrest of war and civil rights protests, I was seven and have been listening to this song since and that has been the popular take on the song. Many interpretations of these lyrics however, but here how it was officially written... a link found via google; www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-gimme-shelter-by-the-rolling-stones