“Gimme Shelter” is a song by English band the Rolling Stones and is the opening track off their 1969 album Let it Bleed. The song covers topics of war, murder,rape and fear. Greil Marcus, writing for Rolling Stone magazine at the time of its release, praised the song, stating that the band has “never done anything better”. Although the first word was spelled “Gimmie” on the album, subsequent recordings by the band and other musicians have made “Gimme” the customary spelling.
“Gimme Shelter” was written by the Rolling Stones’ lead vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, the band’s primary songwriting team. Richards began working on the song’s signature opening riff in London while Jagger was away filming Performance with Richards’ then-girlfriend, Anita Pallenberg. The song’s inspiration was not initially Vietnam or social unrest, however, but Keith Richards seeing people scurrying for shelter from a sudden rain storm.
The recording features guest vocals by Merry Clayton, recorded at a last-minute late-night recording session during the mixing phase, arranged by her friend and record producer Jack Nitzsche. After the first verse is sung by Jagger, Merry Clayton enters and they share the next three verses. A harmonica solo by Jagger and guitar solo by Richards follow. It remains the most prominent contribution to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist. Merry Clayton’s name was erroneously written on the original release, appearing as ‘Mary’. Her name is also listed as ‘Mary’ on the 2002 Let It Bleed remastered CD.
The song was recorded in London at Olympic Studios in February and March 1969; the vocals were recorded in Los Angeles at Sunset Studios and Elektra Studios in October and November that same year. In addition to the band, Nicky Hopkins played piano and Jimmy Miller played percussion.
“Gimme Shelter” was never released as a single but quickly became a staple of the Rolling Stones’ live shows. It has placed in various positions on many “best of/greatest” lists including those by Rolling Stone and Acclaimed Music. In 2021 it was ranked at Number 13 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
