The VIBE is SO damn heavy on this one, it just grabs you and refuses to let go! From the very first note, and when Merry lets it rip - dear god the mountains bow down. A classic among classics. "What a fuckin' song" indeed! Great reaction!
MERRY WENT INTO THE STUDIOS LATE AT NIGHT TO DO THE BACKGROUND SINGING FOR MICK, SHE WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. THE NEXT DAY SHE WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL AND DELIVERED A DEAD BABY. YOU CANNOT DO SUCH GOD AWFUL CRAP LIKE THAT WHEN PREGNANT, SHE KILLED HER BABY.
There's no such thing as the best or greatest song. The most you can say, you can say about several songs, but definitely including Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower: _There is no better rock song._
One of the only Stones songs I'm in love with to be honest, but the mix with Mick and Mary Clayton, where her voice cracks, I mean WOW. I get the chills whenever I hear her solo parts in this song. 10 out of 10!
Here is a reactor who needs to get to some Skynyrd. "Gimme Three Steps". He has already hit the Allman Brothers, so he has one leg of the holy trinity of southern rock. Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band have to be next.
The whole Stones/ Beatles rivalry was mostly press hype, they were friends. Lennon & McCartney even wrote The Stones second single hit. Clearly both bands were talented and competitive, and they would rib each other, it made for good publicity.
The Beatles realized that the Stones were sheer monsters who would go on probably forever. They were apples and oranges. The Beatles sang love songs to women. The Stones sang on behalf of men.. but they weren't love songs. They were important, timeless songs.
Friends for awhile, until Mick started to make derogatory remarks about the Beatles . John ended up hating Mick , by the remarks he made later about Mick and The Rolling Stones . " I don't like the way he moves around on the stage " , etc . Then , not very long ago , Paul started saying the Beatles were better than the Stones and the Stones were a blues type band in so many words . In other words the Stones were much more limited in their abilities of composition etc. That "s what I think he was intimating , anyway .
When both bands hit the scene you chose who you liked. (I'm 75 years old, I was there for the arrival of both). I chose the Stones because I've always preferred the bad guys. I liked the Beatles, I devoured the Stones.
It's been said when in the studio recording this they decided it could use a background singer. They called a couple singers to come in that evening and both refused. Then one of the producers remembered Merry Clayton and he called her. They woke her up from her sleep because it was late evening, but she agreed to come in. She arrived at the studio near midnight. Everyone (but Merry) was very surprised to find her very pregnant. Apparently she put all she could into belting out her vocals and did it in one take in the wee hours of the morning. Sadly, the next day (or very soon after) she suffered a miscarriage. It's been suggested the miscarriage was a result of her over-exerting herself in that performance.
there’s a wonderful documentary called “20 feet from stardom” about the amazing backup singers of the era. in this clip from there, mary & mick recollect on the night they recorded this, with mary’s isolated vocals - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ChONufP0FEs.html
When you said " cool sounding guitar" , there was also a harmonica being played by Mick. Keith rarely praised Mick, but he did often brag up his harmonica (harp) playing.
I feel immensely privileged to have been born in ‘54 and soaking it all up. Right through the blast that was the 60’s,then the amazing 70’s. Wonderful time to be alive and I wouldn’t swap it for any other period in history,certainly NOT today.
For the remarkable story of Merry Clayton's incredible vocal on this track, you must see the Oscar winning music doco "20 Feet From Stardom." So many familiar voices whose names so few people knew.
I’m only 25 but somehow this song always puts me straight back into the late 60s America. I don’t know how they do it; how they make you picture a scene in your mind - but they do. All the percussion and soulfulness just transforms me back to a time I wasn’t alive for; it really puts you in that world of anti-Vietnam War late 60s America. Amazing track. Definitely the best Stones song and maybe in my personal top 10 ever!
Impending doom is a perfect way to describe the beginning of this song and what it’s leading to. War. It’s very haunting and chilling. Clayton’s voice cracking at “murder” is chilling! You can never unhear it!
I agree. There can't be one best because they were so different, but both sensational. Competition like this is for grade-schoolers. It proves nothing and doesn't even matter. And the people arguing have no stake in the issue anyway.
Yes it’s kind of silly to figure out who was the best who was better than somebody else everything is better than everything else good or bad everything is relative and everything is interconnected there is no best or better…
Omg!!! You killed it again DAMN your awesome! This is one of my favorite stones songs - you are the best reactionist I've ever heard - man man - im watching your channel like a hawk - try the studio version of Jumping Jack Flash! Man you are beyond amazing 👏 keep up the great work!
This is the music of my youth and my love and appreciation of it goes without saying. What I really want to say is that I absolutely love your reviews. You are the only person reviewing music (I've seen thus far), who actually takes the time to do a bit of research prior to listening to the music and I can see in your face and your reactions that you are not simply hearing the music, but deeply invested in the listening aspect of it, which I so appreciate as both are of great importance when I watch a review. Not to be negative, but I just watched a couple of college kids attempt to review Robin Trower's "To Rolling Stoned" (an incredible song you might want to consider reviewing) and I left that review knowing they didn't have a clue. You provide all your followers with intelligent, insightful and thoughtful reviews and the joy and appreciation that you reflect is wonderul!! I thank you and keep up the great work!! Sending my best from Oregon, US.
When Mary Clayton's voice cracks as she's belting that line, you hear a distant "whoo!" in the background. I can imagine everyone in the studio that day getting goosebumps at that moment. One of those perfect imperfections!
You got the exact vibe of this song before Mick even started singing, great reaction 👍🙂. The opening sequence is so atmospheric and sinister and haunting, superb song 👍. Great to see you appreciating the old classics 🙂
'Let it Bleed' is one of my favourite albums from the Stones, not a weak track on it, and this track in particular totally rips me up. I mean Mary just freakin' slays this sucker, far better than Mick could have done on his own, and brilliant arrangement and choice of instrument effects, ie maracas and harmonica . The rhythm guitar sound was created using a tremolo effect, which was a mainstay of Fender amps. But a bold choice as the rate of wave of sound is set to a certain pace and the drummer cannot speed up or slow down. I just think its a masterpiece by them. Cheers to the Stones..
When I was young it was pretty much the Beatles were the good boys and the Stones were the bad boys. I was a bad boy. No question that Paul McCartney is a musical genius though.
Actually, that’s really a myth. The Beatles were involved in a lot more controversy than The Stones ever were anyway. The Stones never had any of their records burned in a bonfire.
Keith Richards is one of the more economical players ever. Great sense of what makes a riff work and extremely creative at it. A signature of the Stones.
Her voice did crack. She apologized profusely and offered to retake but Mick said hell no . He loved it. Maybe you didn't recognize the harmonica in this. Apparently it's one of the few instruments Mick can do.
Brian Jones fell into serious problems with substance abuse and mental illness and was kicked out of the band... and he died less than a month later (in his swimming pool, I believe), becoming another member of the "27 Club." They hired Mick Taylor not long afterward.
Merry added so much to this song. First got hooked on the Stones in about 64 or 65 when first saw them on the Ed Sullivan show. My parents would let my sister and me stay up late to watch the show. Never forget his intro. We have a really big show tonight…and yes he did. He was the king. So many great bands of the time.👍
@@sjw5797 yeah man, like i said in a response, the list of must listen artists can go on and on. I'm wiylth you all the way on The Who. Behind Blue Eyes is one of my favorite tunes. And watching live performances by them is a must. Pete especially is a real showman.
Charlie Watts was an amazing and often overlooked drummer. Honky Tonk Women ( Definitely give it a listen) features some of Charlies funkiest and yet sophisticated drumming and The Stones overall in their absolute prime. I love your reactions. Your attention to details and well thought out analysis is fantastic. I play percussion (25+ yrs) and can tell you not all reactors are the same. For example, Jamel AKA Jamal has a great appreciation and enthusiasm for new music. However he is limited in his knowledge of music theory . Very fun to watch. Whereas, Andy & Alex are both musicians so along with all that Jamel brings they often school me. Alex in particular is a music writer/producer and often goes into theory. i feel like you are a little closer to the A&A side. Love your vibes and intellect. Your Hip Hop cross recommendation is something I didn't even know I wanted, so keep that going! If you keep this up you are going to blow up! Good luck Syed!
@@SyedRewinds Definitely going to continue watching. Btw... I highly recommend these songs and these particular performances: ( Edgar Winter Group- Frankenstein- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P8f-Qb-bwlU.html ) ( Golden Earring- Radar Love- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Sm1q1XoN_Qo.html ) ( Chicago- 25 or 26 to 4- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iUAYeN3Rp2E.html ) ( Chicago- I'm a Man- ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cBGyFrHF1eU.html ) Each song and performance is TOP SHELF. You will not be sorry! Good luck Syed!
Few songs in rock have an intro with this much atmosphere. Dear Mr Fantasy, maybe? So dark and ominous, full of foreboding. The perfect sound to fit the lyrics. One of the greatest rock songs ever. Shows why Keef is actually the real heart and soul of the Stones. 🎸💥 Btw, the part you said has the cool sounding guitar right before the main solo: there are some tasty Keith riffs in there before the solo starts, but I think the sound you’re noticing is in fact Mick’s bluesy, overdriven harp lick, which he repeats to great effect after the guitar solo. He’s a very under-appreciated blues harmonica player. So, good on you for comparing it to When The Levee Breaks- same exact type of harp sound. Also, you commented about how Mick’s voice sounded like that of a much older man, even though he was a mere 26 years. I think that was true of many musicians back then: they looked, talked and sang like people much older than they really were. Today’s 26-year-old stars look and sound like children by comparison. I think it’s partly because they idolized old blues and folk singers and tried to emulate them to a degree (Dylan famously did this, for example), but it’s also because they actually had already experienced so many years worth of intense and hard living packed into a short span. They weren’t so much like the instant, manufactured, pre-packaged pop idols of today, but had actually had to fight and claw their way up to fame through years of hard work honing their craft and tough living on the road.
Great review! This tune made me want to pick up a guitar in the garage. Walked down the street and walked up this dudes house (Billy), I knocked on his door and I said, you and some other guy were playing a Zombies tune. A few tunes. "She's Not There" . And the other guy went off to Cali. And I asked him if he could show me how to play another Stone's tune, "Angie" We became fast friends and made other musical friends. A lot of which we knew already. Just an excuse to high on a Saturday. Great friends for 20 years. Thousands of dollars on music equipment. Emslie and myself were just working together. Thick as thieves LOL, He ended up with my GF when I was in jail. I was mad for a few years, but I love them for a few years. But I do love the both of them dearly. I hear they have a child together. Very happy for them. Billy and Krista really deserve that happiness. I put them both through hell with the drinking. I have no excuses other than being selfish. Things in life you just have to own up to. Great review again, sorry to get lost in memories..
Great reaction, great comments! As you alluded, context is everything and current events often inspire music and lyrics. In 1969 when this tune was released hundreds of people were dying daily in Vietnam. When it comes to war and peace back then we actually knew how many people were being killed and wounded and where it was happening...not anymore.
Gimme Shelter may have had Vietnam or the violence at home as a background when it was originally released. It is relevant again in 2022 with the savage invasion of Ukraine as a background.
Nice Job, lucky you, get to hear this now. It's been one of my favorites for 50 years. yikes. The distorted harmonica is kinda interesting because the song is in C# minor, which means you need an F# key harmonica. This is how harp works to be in tune. An odd duck key for most blues.rock harp. I figure someone was sent out to scour the music stores in the area to find that key. I had to preorder it when i needed it. But it was a finishing touch on this song. Also I think this is the best back up singer part ever.
There is a famous version of this song filmed at Eidenbourogh (I think) where the back-up singer Lisa Fisher was so inspired she took over center stage from Jagger and killed it.
Stones have always been generous with their support groups and backing musicians getting a chance to shine. They want 110% firing on all cylinders, not careful control.
Again, your initial take, just on the intro, is effing spot on!! Then there was a harmonica that you seemed to identify as a guitar, notwithstanding the Led Zep reference.. Most of my blues-harp(harmonica) playing friends use a bullet mic and a guitar amp, some utilizing feedback too. In this period and on albums following, I thought Keith Richards' wailing harmonies with Jagger were non-pareil, eh? lol. Merry Clayton's contribution is rightly seen as absolutely iconic, and I'm saddened to be reminded by another commenter here that she lost the baby she was carrying soon after this session. The Stones also had a friend, a blues and boogie-woogie pianist from the early days named Ian Stewart, who Andrew Loog-Oldham, their first manager, deemed too "unattractive" to appear onstage with them, often playing shows from the wings or behind a curtain...wtf, right? He played on many recordings with them prior to his passing. I think this features Nicky Hopkins on piano, fresh perhaps from his stint with the Jeff Beck Group Mk. I, featuring Rod Stewart(vocals) and Ron Wood(bass!). Keith completely reinvented his playing style during this period, switching to an open G-tuning, minus the low E-string, iirc. Also, Charlie Watts' drumming ALWAYS maintained that essential swing that is so central, critical to rock'n'roll. "Don't forget to roll", as my late pal always put it. Charlie was essentially a jazz drummer, and there are videos available of his outside excursions in that arena. Great reaction, Syed, I hope that's a proper/acceptable address.This and the Beatles' 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' were my two guaranteed chills and goosebumps songs in the 70s, despite my deep love for Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and a host of others. Should you do a reaction to the Beatles' tune at some point, PLEASE use the original studio cut, or the one from 'Concert for George', a year after Harrison's passing, NOT the vastly over-hyped(imo) one with Prince. He came with a point to make and it shows, to the detriment of the spirit of the affair, again, imo. Dhani, George's son, plays acoustic on both of the last two and visibly enjoys the later one, but the earlier tribute show slays me start to finish, well worth the couple hours required to take in and reflect on the contributions of "the quiet Beatle." Also from the Beatles, another personal fave rocker 'Revolution'. Always despised 'Helter-Skelter', partly Paul trying too hard, partly the Charles Manson association. Cheers, mate, ttyl8r.
I think you are a Rolling Stone's fan. I know I am they have been my top group since the 60's I love Zeppelin and the Beatles and others but the top of the heap is the Stones. I have dubbed them the Godfathers of Rock n roll
Yes The Stones definitely coming into their own but had been building up to this for a while with Jumping Jack Flash Honkytonk women etc and they kept this going well into the mid 70s . One of the great London bands of this era along with The Who ,the Kinks and The Small Faces .
OK FUN FACT, DURING THE FEMALE VOCALIST SOLO, WHEN HER VOICE CRACKS (IN MY OPINION, FROM PURE PASSION ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS SINGING) YOU CAN HEAR JAGGER GO "WOO!" THERE IS ACTUALLY A RU-vid VIDEO SOMEWHERE THAT ISOLATES IT REALLY WELL!! ALSO, THERE IS A DOCUMENTARY RELEASED IN 1970 BY THE SAME NAME, "GIMME SHELTER" WHICH IS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE STONES' FREE CONCERT IN DECEMBER OF 1969 AT ALTAMONTE SPEEDWAY, NEAR SAN FRANCISCO!! GREAT FILM!!!
The Beatles were much more innovative, breaking new ground, while The Stones were much more straight ahead blues driven rock. Mick wrote the lyrics, and Keith came up with great driving guitar riffs. Classic! Love them both forever!
If you think about the "Top Three" of the time (the Beatles, the Stones, and LZ), I'd say the Stones were THE most purely rock 'n' roll of the three. They defintively "stayed in their lane" so to speak (up until the early 1980s at least). The Beatles started with that admiration for the old time rockers and then jumped on a psychedelic rocket and went on a musical space journey. LZ always stuck with it, but literally stayed on earth, going around the world and taking in a variety of terrestrial musical influences.
@@jaydubya3698 LedZep got started about time Beatles broke up. Sound systems could not have carried the Zep sound during first few years of Beatles and Stones fame. Zep sound was tailored to new tech that Cream and, slightly later, Hendrix pioneered but, IMHO, The Who did it best, especially with Live at Leeds and Who's Next. Girls loved Beatles, women loved Stones, Who and Zep were more bands for the boys. Prog, eg Yes, was almost entirely male audience
Nah I'd replace LZ with The Who, LZ came too late in the 60s to be considered top 3 of the time. The Who however were pushing rock in their own way alongside the other two. I believe they made one of the first "innuendo to Curse words" in history with My Generation and were always pushing the limits on what constituted heavy at the time. I mean they were indirectly responsible for Helter Skelter, the song credited with inspiring Heavy Metal all because they said they had created the heaviest song ever and Paul Mccartney basically said "We'll see". They never quite held as much fame as the other two, and more or less just changed into a stadium band after 60s were over, but they sure did push the other two and music in general nonetheless
Always thought the Beatles opened up rock/pop artistic liberation, and the Stones brought a basic f**k you attitude. However, the Beatles had some really in-your-face songs, and the Stones had some truly creative and unique tunes. Music is seldom cut-and- dry like that. So glad to have both of them!
You really can't choose between Beatles & Rolling Stones, in regards to who is best rock n roll band. Apples & oranges. Not the same but highly complentary in an era where they drove each other to new hights. Also the Beatles music is so varied & diverse it defies catagorization & you haven't heard nearly enough yet. They are both great on their own way. I prefer the Beatles if asked to choose but I know both bands complete catalogs in saying that. But I love the Stones none the less. Great review. You are interesting to listen to.
Yeah, weighing in on which one is the best when one has only heard one, maybe two tunes from either, is a bit disingenuous, isn't it? lol Neither is the best. They are all great. There doesn't have to be a best. The best one is the one you are enjoying at that moment. :)
For me, this song has always felt like one gigantic guitar solo in the best way possible. The guitar grabs you at the beginning of the song and it never lets you go.
The intro, even after all these years, is still spine-tingling..... And we still have to get to Merry Clayton Wow Greatest Stones song ever? Definitely in the argument.
Regarding the Beatles, their style was so incredibly varied, just keep listening and you'll find a song that will absolutely blow you away. But I don't compare. I love the Stones too.
Well done calling them rock 'n roll rather than rock. Rock, as a subgenre of pop, was just beginning as a term to describe heavy blues, eg Cream. Stones, Beatles, etc were pop groups - as distinct from classical, jazz, and folk in UK. They were a pop group with roots in US roots blues, country, rock 'n roll with not much link to British music hall. Beatles drew more on British music hall and US Motown and less on blues than Stones did. Jagger and Richards have said as much in recent BBC programmes saying something that was news to me - Richards was more keen on pure pop than Jagger or Jones. Certainly, Charlie Watts was not a rock drummer
I would discontinue your “initial take” after 10 seconds……with allot of classic rock, you’re not even into the song by that time……..let it simmer for a minute at least before pausing. New sub btw….
I saw an odd - yet interesting - documentary about back-up singers, and when the Stones woke them up in the middle of the night to do the "Rape! Murder!" Is a great story as they are in the studio w/ bathrobes and curlers...
The Beatles never put out out a song like this masterpiece. And there's no debate as to the better of the 2 bands as the members of the boy band did their best work after splitting up (weren't even together for a decade) vs almost 60 for the stones who didn't pile up #1 candy ass pop hits for 12 year old girls!
You should check out the documentary "Twenty Feet From Stardom", which is about female back-up singers. Mary Clayton is one of the women featured and she talks about recording this song.
Mary Clayton's voice cracked during her solo bridge section, and she looked over at Jagger because she thought she ruined the take, but Mick just yelled "Yeah!" and they kept recording. You can hear it. Such a brilliantly raw and vulnerable point, it made the song.
