I couldn't have said it any better than that. I love listening to her part in that song. Along with the opening riff and the rythem of it is just magic.
Mary, wherever you are, thank you -- and bless you -- for your participation in this song. Love your vocals; they just blew me away. Peace and Love to you, Sister!
The first eight measures of fluttering guitar could go anywhere--the chords are close to "Pinball Wizard" (suspended 4ths). It's when those dark, low piano notes come in that the skies darken.
Absolutely. The first time I clearly remember hearing it was as a kid when the movie Casino was coming out and they used it in the trailer. It fit the footage so well and the vibe was so intense. I was obsessed with it immediately.
The most powerful backup vocal in rock and roll history. And good for you spelling her name right, even though virtually no one in the comments does. She deserves that much respect.
OMG her voice is so amazing. She made that song and I used to think how did she have the capacity to reach those notes with such power and emotion. I just remember buying all the Stones stuff from the age of 10 in 1963 onwards. I didn't know that some of the albums bombed because we played them all the time. They, with the Beatles, the Kinks, etc etc were our heroes.
Merry Clayton's vocal has always given me chills and brought me to tears, simultaneously. I never knew why until this video. So many factors contributed to such a haunted stew. "Gimme Shelter" has always been my favorite Stones song as well. I remember watching the Altamont film in my teens and that just blew me away. Thanks for these presentations. 🖤
Just a related side note: Sam Clayton is the percussionist for Little Feat. He is Merry’s younger brother. I recall talking with Sam during a signing session after an acoustic show in the early 1990s. I’ve known Feat since they formed and Sam is a friend so I was deeply saddened when he shared with me that his mother had passed and he couldn’t leave the tour to go to her funeral. Being a working singer or musician is not all rainbows. It’s a hard life with sacrifices.
Mary Clayton’s vocals pierce my soul every time. Wrenches my heart and brings tears to my eyes, nearly every listen. How horrific that the pain expressed in that music was for her linked to the pain of a lost child.
Mary’s bit literally just gave me goosebumps. Keith’s rhythm guitar work is amazing as to be expected of a huge blues fan. Also. His stage presence and “feel” is top ranking. He has the greatest moves playing along with Ronnie.
Fact check - 'Beggars Banquet - mostly recorded with Keith Richards on guitar'. One of the standout tracks from this outstanding album was 'No Expectations' - featuring beautiful slide guitar playing from physical and emotional wreck Brian Jones.
theres a beautiful song on "Exile on main street " 1972 form jagger in encouragement to Jones that had been written in 1969 ish ....damnit cant remember it ,,maybe "shine a light!"
My wife saw them in Hyde Park in ‘69. I took her back full circle to see them again in 2013 at Hyde Park. Gimme Shelter and those haunting vocals…..absolute zeitgeist spirit of an age.
in a somewhat similar vein , my son grew up listening to all my Stones stuff ; he had a toy guitar and would walk around the house strumming away with a rolled up piece of paper hanging from his lip à la Keith Richards ! f-fwd to June 2022 @ H.P. , I got us tickets right up by the stage , perfect day weatherwise and , wow , what a day that was , all of my memories / his memories and the R.S. bang in the middle of it all , live .
@@bullcrap9409 don't even go there. I recently read a blog on John hiatts 'the open road' where 'hobo's come and bring their broke down loads' and 'she's driving like a loony on ice' to get way away from something.... and the blog referred to the song as 'a happy little road song!' Ya gotta love that
Keith Richards who the guitar world considers just a mediocre guitar player wrote the greatest songs in Rock and Roll history. And he’s such a loved man by us all
You Can't Always Get What You Want is about Mick falling in love with Anita during the filming of the movie and her not being in love with him. So basically the two famous tracks were about Anita. She dated Brian before Kieth so she really got passed around and had lots of influence on the band, the music and their style.
Jones was self destructing with drugs and got in a fight with her and hit her..when Richards saw that he took her away from him and they all cruised down to Morrocco without brian jones...he could not do drugs in moderation and losing her was just the nail in the coffin before they fired him
@@1439315 ive read "life" and she was a tough tough woman nobody really used her ,,,when richards saw Jones hitting her is when she took him away and they all went to Morrocco for a few weeks or months ....nail in the coffin for the self destructive Jones
As an ovarian cancer survivor…, I can relate to Mary’s taking time to mourn that pregnancy. She’s responsible for the chills I feel every time I hear this. It’s so good, I feel another part of me die and become reborn at the same time. Thanks Mary
@@Jimi-h3i Yes, I have survived cancer, surgery, extremely long and difficult chemo treatments. And I respectfully asked a question, because I was unable to see a connection.
As a Metalhead, my bro admires me when I start playing the intro solo... The song has a dark swagger. The song is a anthem for the end of flower power...... Metal 4eva.... 🤘✌️💙🏴☠️⚖️🇦🇺
One of the most moving rock songs ever,still gives me chills since I heard it at 12. Mary c set me on a path to find a woman with that passion and energy.
Good piece, but I would like you to give thanks to the late Gil Friesen, producer of the Oscar winning documentary "20 Feet From Stardom" which included Merry in the sequence you showed with her and Mick. I had the honor of meeting Merry and dining with her at Gil's wake. More tragedy followed for her- she lost both her legs below the knees in 2014 in a car crash in Los Angeles. In the interview with her and Mick, that was the first time Mick had heard her vocals in Gimme Shelter....isolated- and he was genuinely amazed. Watch "20 Feet" and listen to her belt out that guttural scream- Amazing!
What’s sad is that while so many things changed during the sixties our world never truly changed and in 2024 we are still having to struggle against war, greed and racism. The Stones were gods in the sixties and still are but our world was not ready for the wisdom they imparted!
Sorry to hear about her miscarriage. That is my favorite Stone's song. I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it exactly the same next time I hear it. God bless her!
One of the GREAT Songs of all time. Vocals & musically. I bought the album as soon as it came out. Thank You For Posting This. I subscribed, Best Regards P.S. Their Satanic Majesties Request wasn't a great album, but the Album Cover was GREAT. I first saw it in a neighbor friend's basement when I was in elementary school. He had an excellent stereo system, and he also a 1962 409 Chevy Impala!
Jack Nitzsche and Clayton also appear on the soundtrack to "Performance" shot in 1968. Clayton recorded her own version of Gimme Shelter in 1970, so it wasn't that long until she was able to sing it again.
I've heard a number of people describe the beginning of the song as light, playful, etc. I honestly do not understand that view. It's one of the most haunting and menacing things ever. If anything, it reminds me of being too high, dangerously high, and you're on the edge of dying and need help. Richards' habits probably informed the sense of fateful bliss, the sense of freedom that only death can bring, as much as anything else that went into the track.
For me this song - also my favorite Stones tune - was always the very dark overt theme of the song with her vocal the crescendo of that- 'rape, murder is just a shot away'. But then it is all brought back around by Mick's vocal that follows 'Love, sister, it's just a kiss away' which sort of brings us back from the brink and reminds us that love is all you need. At least that is how it works for me.
I was in a garage/party/prom/bar band that did this song around 1979'-1981'. I sang Jaggers' part and played rhythm guitar. No girl avail. for Mary's part and the studio itself adds so much more. But I recognized the feel and power of the simple 3 chord song and we had a great time with our version.
Interesting piece but there is not a single note in the song that is "light, almost playful." From the first ominous notes in the intro, to the the band kicking in, to Jaggers' vocal through Merry Clayton's terrifying howls, the playing which grows ever more intense, exudes an undeniable threat of dread and impending disaster. As the ice caps melt, the oceans rise, the forests burn and arable land becomes desert, Gimme Shelter is an apocalyptic vision more relevant in 2024 than it was in 1969.
@@haroldwhite5761”encroaching”? Brother, the COVID lockdowns and complete disregard of dissenting opinion or choice happened four years ago! It’s in full display at this point.
Fcuk, why did I watch this, I'll never hear that song without thinking of Merry's loss. you can hear how she sang that right down to the center of her being..... For me, her voice was the stand out thing in that song...
I wish I hadn't heard this story as well. It ruins one of my top favorite songs, where I'd drum along with the song on congas or dance. How can I do either anymore knowing she lost her baby because of it?
@@lovesafrica111 No one knows if she lost her baby "because of it". Maybe drum along or dance knowing that In 1970, she recorded her own version of "Gimme Shelter". She learned how to cope with it, so can you.
@@kahlesjf I still listen to it but very differently. No one cared she was carrying a baby - just to get her there to record. It's reprehensible to say the least & I feel like her own husband was more worried about the money than his own child & how he betrayed his wife. As for the Stones, I wouldn't expect any less concern for a band who sold their soul to the devil from the beginning. Bless Mary's heart is all I can say. Spoken from one who has loved the Stones her whole life...like I said, wish I didn't know this story.
I since 70 I looked on Gimme as being about a person being on the edge of chaos. Then u read about Keith's state of mind when he wrote it and it becomes apparent that it is autobiographical. Much of Beggars & Let It Bleed had state of mind sentiments that reflected the extensile circumstances that they were going through. Much of the on the edge of madness sentiment reflected Brian Jones deterioration Jack Flash Stray Cat Midnight, Sympathy, Gimme Monkey Man
LET IT BLEED has got to be the most profound and brilliant of all the Stones Albums...absolutely caught the zeitgeist of the time..folks say Exile on Main street was the strongest ...no way
@@kitfisher8534 Agreed. From Jack Flash to Altamont the RS were on fire. Some of Sticky and Exile material were already in process. Then in 73 comes Dancin Wt Mr D.
@@tabs9213 yes Sticky Fingers !!! Totally forgot lol. It really was the end of the 1960's...with Altamont and the Manson Gang...the 1970's was SO DIFFERENT...just not the same at all
@@kitfisher8534 The RS thought they were outlaws going into. Altamont but at Altamont they ran into some real outlaws with the Hells Angels. After that the RS realized they were just entertainers plying songs. They never again wrote anything as poignant as Beggars or Bleed. The 72 Tour substituted energy for intensity. The 75 Tour was sloppy self indulgence 78 was studio 54 Disco. 81 & since corporate RR living on the hits like the Beach Boys did.
My favorite as well. Merry Clayton was woken up in the middle of the night, came to the studio, and delivered. Those days are over. Auto tune now. Everything is fraudulent, with few exceptions.
I knew about the hell's angel murder but not the circumstances of getting the legendary backing vocals and that which transpired possibly as a direct / indirect consequence. Very sad story for what is of course a legendary song but more so for the great singer herself.
What a powerful backing voice in Mary Clayton and does much to make this track so special and never mind being one of the Stones best ever, one of the best rock compositions of all time and a personal fave.
Wow, one of my top favorite songs as well, but after hearing that story I can't help feel that the dark lord himself caused that miscarriage esp. with the stones obvious love of the dark side with Sympathy for the devil (another favorite). Not gonna lie, this puts me in a spiritual quandry whether to ever listen again since I go clear to the other side of the Light, though ironically have loved these two songs since I was little. Truly tragic story for Mary & her husband beyond words.
At least half the human babies born in the past 100 thousand years have been born to women who have had to work night and day and suffer ring emotional distress. If staying up late was enough to induce a miscarriage, a lot of babies would never have been born at all.
@@maguffintop2596 Interesting. I’d love to see that interview if you can find it? I was going by this source that states four months: amp.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/08/gimme-shelter-left-a-dark-taste-in-my-mouth-merry-clayton
@@MusicMongoose It’s safe to say that The Stones didn’t catch Clayton at the best of times. “Well, I’m at home at almost 12 o’clock at night,” she added. “And I’m hunkered down in my bed with my husband, very pregnant, and we got a call from a dear friend of mine and producer named Jack Nitzsche. Jack Nitzsche called and said you know, Merry, are you busy? (Far Out Magazine 12/25/21) 'VERY PREGNANT' IS NOT 4 MONTHS.
Possibly the greatest rock and roll intro ever recorded. Doom laden, dangerous, moody, overlaid with those wonderful yet frightening Merry Clayton lyrics, wow first time I heard that, and the same every time since.
If there is one thing I 've learned when it comes to these groups and this period of music, is that nothing is as it seems. I am afraid the truth is much darker still..
The most amazing vocals by Mary Clayton, always gives me shivers. By far my most favourite Stones track. Bravo Mary, thanks for this!
Mine too. An amazing song
Merry Clayton
I couldn't have said it any better than that. I love listening to her part in that song. Along with the opening riff and the rythem of it is just magic.
@@ojaichuckthat’s the spell working, unfortunately but yeah pretty much
I looked it up..shes still alive, 75 !!...tragically lost her legs in a car accident in LA in 2014
Mary, wherever you are, thank you -- and bless you -- for your participation in this song.
Love your vocals; they just blew me away. Peace and Love to you, Sister!
today she would have sued big time
@@reg12269 I hope she's getting tons of royalties, that song is on another level because of her voice.
@@haroldwhite5761she didn’t write it, so no… just got a pretty minimal Day Rate
merry clayton
@@PaulManzi-gy6kc Thank you, Sir! I can't figure out why I typed in the wrong name. Could it have been "auto-corrected?"
That moment when her voice cracks but the stones egg her on? Beautiful!
The tone of the song does not feel light or playful to me. It feels dark and menacing.
Interesting!
@@MusicMongooseThats the feeling most get, myself included but one is entitled to their opinion. A foreboding atmosphere laces this song
Yeah. I wasn’t really jiving with that comment.
The first eight measures of fluttering guitar could go anywhere--the chords are close to "Pinball Wizard" (suspended 4ths). It's when those dark, low piano notes come in that the skies darken.
Absolutely. The first time I clearly remember hearing it was as a kid when the movie Casino was coming out and they used it in the trailer. It fit the footage so well and the vibe was so intense. I was obsessed with it immediately.
My favorite, I think, of all the MANY fabulous Stones' recordings. Chills.
The most powerful backup vocal in rock and roll history. And good for you spelling her name right, even though virtually no one in the comments does. She deserves that much respect.
Clare Torrey’s backup singing on The Great Gig in the Sky gives me chills as much as Mary’s does on Gimme Shelter. Both are fantastic.
Mary's singing was beyond amazing 👏
MERRY is her name, because she was born on Christmas Day 1948.
OMG her voice is so amazing. She made that song and I used to think how did she have the capacity to reach those notes with such power and emotion. I just remember buying all the Stones stuff from the age of 10 in 1963 onwards. I didn't know that some of the albums bombed because we played them all the time. They, with the Beatles, the Kinks, etc etc were our heroes.
It is a great song, mostly for me because of Merry Clayton’s vast vocal contributions!!
This is one of the most haunted songs . Spooky and apocalyptic. Details of the backstory aligns with that now even more ..
haunted and haunting.
That intro is a thing of beauty though - 50 seconds of wonderfulness.
Merry Clayton's vocal has always given me chills and brought me to tears, simultaneously. I never knew why until this video. So many factors contributed to such a haunted stew. "Gimme Shelter" has always been my favorite Stones song as well.
I remember watching the Altamont film in my teens and that just blew me away. Thanks for these presentations. 🖤
Great job on compiling all this information!
Thank you!
They have many excellent songs but I'd have to say Gimme Shelter was their best effort.
Agreed!
Exile on Main Street, my favorite, so many genres in one album, even a country song.
Just a related side note: Sam Clayton is the percussionist for Little Feat. He is Merry’s younger brother. I recall talking with Sam during a signing session after an acoustic show in the early 1990s. I’ve known Feat since they formed and Sam is a friend so I was deeply saddened when he shared with me that his mother had passed and he couldn’t leave the tour to go to her funeral. Being a working singer or musician is not all rainbows. It’s a hard life with sacrifices.
Mary Clayton’s vocals pierce my soul every time. Wrenches my heart and brings tears to my eyes, nearly every listen. How horrific that the pain expressed in that music was for her linked to the pain of a lost child.
@@tilesetter1953 yeah. I'm 1953 too. It takes a lifetime to become a good listener. Their hearts in the right place tho
But she lost her baby a few weeks after she sang the backing vocal track!
@@StamfordBridge MERRY Clayton!
@@tilesetter1953 Merry Clayton to you, too! 🤶 🎄
😉
Mary’s haunting vocals always gives me goose bumps. I’m sad to hear she lost her precious baby shortly after recording it.
MERRY Clayton.
You are one hundred percent right. That story touched my very soul. I will try to remember to whisper a prayer for her child whenever I hear it.
Except that Richards’ knack for coming up with guitar licks led to 50 times more hit records than just about anyone anywhere
When you hear Gimme Shelter you know the 60's are over.
Yes, this was like the last song before the door closed. It is one of my favourite tracks, it is the ghost of Brian Jones.
It was for Marianne Faithfull although she managed to survive.
Yeah yeah yeah . What an original take on this theme. Thank you MR. MTV
Excellent comment. I used to say “Woodstock celebrated what the movement should have been, but Altamont was the absolute end of ‘60’s
True but look what we took from the 60s & applied it to the early & well all the 70s.
Mary’s bit literally just gave me goosebumps. Keith’s rhythm guitar work is amazing as to be expected of a huge blues fan. Also. His stage presence and “feel” is top ranking. He has the greatest moves playing along with Ronnie.
Fact check - 'Beggars Banquet - mostly recorded with Keith Richards on guitar'. One of the standout tracks from this outstanding album was 'No Expectations' - featuring beautiful slide guitar playing from physical and emotional wreck Brian Jones.
Right you are! One of his last contributions to The Stones I believe!
theres a beautiful song on "Exile on main street " 1972 form jagger in encouragement to Jones that had been written in 1969 ish ....damnit cant remember it ,,maybe "shine a light!"
Expectations is one of the saddest yet beautiful songs ever written I cry ever time I hear ít
Highlight of the album indeed,Jagger said that was Brian's last great contribution
Hearing her track isolated was incredible. Sent chills down my spine.
In my humble opinion - "Gimme Shelter" is the greatest among many Great Songs by The Stones. And Bless You, Mary Clayton!
I love the Holy Soldier version way better.
@@billkeithchannel I love the version by Paul Brady & The Forest Rangers.
@@lilflower25 That's an interesting southern rock flavor. And I've never watched the TV show it is from (Sons of Anarchy).
My wife saw them in Hyde Park in ‘69. I took her back full circle to see them again in 2013 at Hyde Park. Gimme Shelter and those haunting vocals…..absolute zeitgeist spirit of an age.
in a somewhat similar vein , my son grew up listening to all my Stones stuff ; he had a toy guitar and would walk around the house strumming away with a rolled up piece of paper hanging from his lip à la Keith Richards !
f-fwd to June 2022 @ H.P. , I got us tickets right up by the stage , perfect day weatherwise and , wow , what a day that was , all of my memories / his memories and the R.S. bang in the middle of it all , live .
Hyde Park today is full of agressive carpet sniffing creeps.
Mick Taylor was only 20 !! just a kid!
“The tone is light, even playful…”???
Hilarious. Gimme Shelter. Light and playful?
@@bullcrap9409 don't even go there. I recently read a blog on John hiatts 'the open road' where 'hobo's come and bring their broke down loads' and 'she's driving like a loony on ice' to get way away from something.... and the blog referred to the song as 'a happy little road song!' Ya gotta love that
Keith Richards who the guitar world considers just a mediocre guitar player wrote the greatest songs in Rock and Roll history. And he’s such a loved man by us all
I can't stand him.
@@anthonyclegg1511 I’m sure he would feel likewise
@@chiefline7084 good.
@@anthonyclegg1511 Love your sense of humor. Have a great day
@@chiefline7084 and you.
You Can't Always Get What You Want is about Mick falling in love with Anita during the filming of the movie and her not being in love with him. So basically the two famous tracks were about Anita. She dated Brian before Kieth so she really got passed around and had lots of influence on the band, the music and their style.
passed around like a smoke
Jones was self destructing with drugs and got in a fight with her and hit her..when Richards saw that he took her away from him and they all cruised down to Morrocco without brian jones...he could not do drugs in moderation and losing her was just the nail in the coffin before they fired him
@@1439315 ive read "life" and she was a tough tough woman nobody really used her ,,,when richards saw Jones hitting her is when she took him away and they all went to Morrocco for a few weeks or months ....nail in the coffin for the self destructive Jones
goes to show, it is impossible to wear out the muffin'....
Sounds like she did the rounds as she wanted ! Why paint it as if she had no choice in the matter ??
Merry Clayton, not Mary but Merry. Incredible vocals and hope she is doing OK. 😀
Yeah thanks for correcting. People should do enough investigating to at least get names right - petty but so annoying
wow, even the cracking of her voice - YES gives it such a beautiful, emotional, and intense song.
Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones songs. Nice to hear the story behind how it came about. Very interesting.
This has always been one of my favourite Stones song
Mary Clayton's voice is just astounding
Thanks for this
The name is MERRY Clayton.
As an ovarian cancer survivor…, I can relate to Mary’s taking time to mourn that pregnancy. She’s responsible for the chills I feel every time I hear this. It’s so good, I feel another part of me die and become reborn at the same time. Thanks Mary
Sorry for your cancer, but I don't know how you surviving ovarian cancer is related to Mary Claton's miscarriage.
@@A-FrameWedge For her there is a connection. Who tf are you to judge. Have you ever lost a baby? Or survived a bad cancer?
@@Jimi-h3i Yes, I have survived cancer, surgery, extremely long and difficult chemo treatments. And I respectfully asked a question, because I was unable to see a connection.
@@A-FrameWedge Bless you
Coming from a 60 year Rolling Stones fan-that was a fascinating, interesting and informative video ! Excellent plus job !!!
Thanks!
I just got chills while listening to Merry😢
As a Metalhead, my bro admires me when I start playing the intro solo... The song has a dark swagger. The song is a anthem for the end of flower power...... Metal 4eva.... 🤘✌️💙🏴☠️⚖️🇦🇺
One of the most moving rock songs ever,still gives me chills since I heard it at 12. Mary c set me on a path to find a woman with that passion and energy.
Good piece, but I would like you to give thanks to the late Gil Friesen, producer of the Oscar winning documentary "20 Feet From Stardom" which included Merry in the sequence you showed with her and Mick. I had the honor of meeting Merry and dining with her at Gil's wake. More tragedy followed for her- she lost both her legs below the knees in 2014 in a car crash in Los Angeles. In the interview with her and Mick, that was the first time Mick had heard her vocals in Gimme Shelter....isolated- and he was genuinely amazed. Watch "20 Feet" and listen to her belt out that guttural scream- Amazing!
Excellent job!
Thx
I was at Altamont. It was the death of the outdoor free concert era. And I had been to many in NorCal
Hunter
Thanks so much. So why oh why in the piece I’ve just watched did nobody even mention that tragic event? Weird or what ??! X
@@studonaldson1497 He did 9:06
What a nightmare that was...
@@jdemarco The memories I have of that day are unprintable and I was fairly close to the stage
What’s sad is that while so many things changed during the sixties our world never truly changed and in 2024 we are still having to struggle against war, greed and racism. The Stones were gods in the sixties and still are but our world was not ready for the wisdom they imparted!
Sorry to hear about her miscarriage. That is my favorite Stone's song. I don't think I'll be able to enjoy it exactly the same next time I hear it. God bless her!
a sacrifice upon the altars of rock and roll!!😢😢😮😮
Good god it still sends chills down my spine.. I remember this when I was a kid and heard it and couldn’t stop listening to it.
Amazing commentary and presentation! Such a barrage of information….thank you!
One of the GREAT Songs of all time. Vocals & musically. I bought the album as soon as it came out. Thank You For Posting This. I subscribed, Best Regards
P.S. Their Satanic Majesties Request wasn't a great album, but the Album Cover was GREAT. I first saw it in a neighbor friend's basement when I was in elementary school. He had an excellent stereo system, and he also a 1962 409 Chevy Impala!
Jack Nitzsche and Clayton also appear on the soundtrack to "Performance" shot in 1968. Clayton recorded her own version of Gimme Shelter in 1970, so it wasn't that long until she was able to sing it again.
🎯
I've heard a number of people describe the beginning of the song as light, playful, etc. I honestly do not understand that view. It's one of the most haunting and menacing things ever. If anything, it reminds me of being too high, dangerously high, and you're on the edge of dying and need help. Richards' habits probably informed the sense of fateful bliss, the sense of freedom that only death can bring, as much as anything else that went into the track.
Quite agree - it's always been my favourite Stones song too - perhaps because of the emotion of Mary's vocal. But what a sad story.
For me this song - also my favorite Stones tune - was always the very dark overt theme of the song with her vocal the crescendo of that- 'rape, murder is just a shot away'.
But then it is all brought back around by Mick's vocal that follows 'Love, sister, it's just a kiss away' which sort of brings us back from the brink and reminds us that love is all you need. At least that is how it works for me.
The emotional depth of her vocals gives me chills to this day.
Amazing story! I LOVE ❤ this song!
My favourite Stones song by a mile!
Gimme Shelter is also my favorite song by the Strolling Bones. Claytons vocals rival Claire Torry’s on Dark Side Of The Moon.
I was thinking the same thing. Both amazing moments in amazing songs.
Me makes three with Great Gig in the Sky
I was in a garage/party/prom/bar band that did this song around 1979'-1981'. I sang Jaggers' part and played rhythm guitar. No girl avail. for Mary's part and the studio itself adds so much more. But I recognized the feel and power of the simple 3 chord song and we had a great time with our version.
Keith Richard’s one of the best song writers in the history of R&R.
It never gets old, always surprising.
Interesting piece but there is not a single note in the song that is "light, almost playful."
From the first ominous notes in the intro, to the the band kicking in, to Jaggers' vocal through Merry Clayton's terrifying howls, the playing which grows ever more intense,
exudes an undeniable threat of dread and impending disaster.
As the ice caps melt, the oceans rise, the forests burn and arable land becomes desert, Gimme Shelter is an apocalyptic vision more relevant in 2024 than it was in 1969.
Absolutely unforgettable memory of playing this song in 1969 on a tiny portable record player. Over and over again!
That is what stood out to me. Reaching greatly to make a contrast...
Plus the encroaching fascism feels very Gimme shelter too
Don't inject your global warming poison into everything.
@@haroldwhite5761”encroaching”? Brother, the COVID lockdowns and complete disregard of dissenting opinion or choice happened four years ago! It’s in full display at this point.
I find this song relevant today.
Outstanding vocals, give me goosebumps every time time I hear it while turning up the volume as loud as possible!
Fcuk, why did I watch this, I'll never hear that song without thinking of Merry's loss.
you can hear how she sang that right down to the center of her being.....
For me, her voice was the stand out thing in that song...
gives the song a whole new meaning doesn't it!
@@MusicMongoose doesn't it just !
I wish I hadn't heard this story as well. It ruins one of my top favorite songs, where I'd drum along with the song on congas or dance. How can I do either anymore knowing she lost her baby because of it?
@@lovesafrica111 No one knows if she lost her baby "because of it". Maybe drum along or dance knowing that In 1970, she recorded her own version of "Gimme Shelter". She learned how to cope with it, so can you.
@@kahlesjf I still listen to it but very differently. No one cared she was carrying a baby - just to get her there to record. It's reprehensible to say the least & I feel like her own husband was more worried about the money than his own child & how he betrayed his wife. As for the Stones, I wouldn't expect any less concern for a band who sold their soul to the devil from the beginning. Bless Mary's heart is all I can say. Spoken from one who has loved the Stones her whole life...like I said, wish I didn't know this story.
I since 70 I looked on Gimme as being about a person being on the edge of chaos. Then u read about Keith's state of mind when he wrote it and it becomes apparent that it is autobiographical. Much of Beggars & Let It Bleed had state of mind sentiments that reflected the extensile circumstances that they were going through. Much of the on the edge of madness sentiment reflected Brian Jones deterioration Jack Flash Stray Cat Midnight, Sympathy, Gimme Monkey Man
LET IT BLEED has got to be the most profound and brilliant of all the Stones Albums...absolutely caught the zeitgeist of the time..folks say Exile on Main street was the strongest ...no way
@@kitfisher8534 Agreed. From Jack Flash to Altamont the RS were on fire. Some of Sticky and Exile material were already in process. Then in 73 comes Dancin Wt Mr D.
@@tabs9213 yes Sticky Fingers !!! Totally forgot lol. It really was the end of the 1960's...with Altamont and the Manson Gang...the 1970's was SO DIFFERENT...just not the same at all
@@kitfisher8534 The RS thought they were outlaws going into. Altamont but at Altamont they ran into some real outlaws with the Hells Angels. After that the RS realized they were just entertainers plying songs. They never again wrote anything as poignant as Beggars or Bleed. The 72 Tour substituted energy for intensity. The 75 Tour was sloppy self indulgence 78 was studio 54 Disco. 81 & since corporate RR living on the hits like the Beach Boys did.
@@kitfisher8534I agree with you 1000%! 😅
My favorite as well. Merry Clayton was woken up in the middle of the night, came to the studio, and delivered. Those days are over. Auto tune now. Everything is fraudulent, with few exceptions.
Yup. I hate fake shit.
An unbelievable song writer. You can't take that from him.
My favorite two albums from the Stones are..... Beggars Banquet and Sticky Fingers!!!
Have both original albums on vinyl! Love vinyl best!!!
One of my favorite Stones tracks. It was amazing in concert. Saw them in LA at the Pladimum.
What a great video have a wonderful day also I am going to college in Canada where I live in ❤😊
Have fun!
I knew about the hell's angel murder but not the circumstances of getting the legendary backing vocals and that which transpired possibly as a direct / indirect consequence.
Very sad story for what is of course a legendary song but more so for the great singer herself.
My fav Stones song. Great intro. I play it on my guitar most days.
In my humble opinion, "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" is just as good as "Gimme Shelter."
What a powerful backing voice in Mary Clayton and does much to make this track so special and never mind being one of the Stones best ever, one of the best rock compositions of all time and a personal fave.
MERRY Clayton.
Awesome!!! Merry you give me chills everytime I hear your voice!!! A great singer!!!
The best!
Wow, one of my top favorite songs as well, but after hearing that story I can't help feel that the dark lord himself caused that miscarriage esp. with the stones obvious love of the dark side with Sympathy for the devil (another favorite). Not gonna lie, this puts me in a spiritual quandry whether to ever listen again since I go clear to the other side of the Light, though ironically have loved these two songs since I was little. Truly tragic story for Mary & her husband beyond words.
Master & Margarita was the influence... Incredible, amazing and once banned book!
That was Sympathy for the Devil that was inspired by The Master and Margarita. A very good book especially when you really listen to the lyrics.
Born in the 70’s and Let It Bleed is my favourite album of all time!
My favorite Stone's rock song. My fav ballad is Wild Horses.
This always at the top of my play list. So are about 7 other Rolling Stones songs. Love it Rock and Roll
'Gimme Shelter' pretty much shivved the 60's in the back! No more 'Summer of Love'!
Liked and subscribed. Great stuff. Thank you. 😊
Welcome aboard!
My two favorite bands growing up were the Stones and Allman Brothers.Damn they made some of the best rock music ever.❤
At least half the human babies born in the past 100 thousand years have been born to women who have had to work night and day and suffer ring emotional distress. If staying up late was enough to induce a miscarriage, a lot of babies would never have been born at all.
It was painted to get us to think satanic forces were at work. Especially after Altamont.
True. But they didn't sing backing vocals to Gimme Shelter.
(Whether singing can cause a miscarriage, is debatable however)
I'm not a big Stones fan (different generation), but Gimme Shelter is one song I love. To me it captures the 60's perfectly.
You probably only heard radio songs. Played over and over the same ones.
This song always reminds me of my baby brother...he's in the grips of drug addiction.
Excellent video, I love the song and its very interesting to hear how it came about.
Thank you very much! Make sure you’re subscribed if you enjoy delving into music history like me! 👍😊
Mary Clayton Backboned this Classic!👍
MERRY Clayton.
Losing a full term pregnancy is not a miscarriage it’s a stillbirth.
She was four months pregnant, I believe.
@@MusicMongoose I heard an interview w/ her say she was 8 months- she even showed she was large w/ child.
@@maguffintop2596 Interesting. I’d love to see that interview if you can find it? I was going by this source that states four months: amp.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/08/gimme-shelter-left-a-dark-taste-in-my-mouth-merry-clayton
@@MusicMongoose It’s safe to say that The Stones didn’t catch Clayton at the best of times. “Well, I’m at home at almost 12 o’clock at night,” she added. “And I’m hunkered down in my bed with my husband, very pregnant, and we got a call from a dear friend of mine and producer named Jack Nitzsche. Jack Nitzsche called and said you know, Merry, are you busy? (Far Out Magazine 12/25/21)
'VERY PREGNANT' IS NOT 4 MONTHS.
Possibly the greatest rock and roll intro ever recorded.
Doom laden, dangerous, moody, overlaid with those wonderful yet frightening Merry Clayton lyrics, wow first time I heard that, and the same every time since.
This was all covered by professor of rock ... great channel, I recommend it❤
What a classy,classy lady.
Merry Clayton recorded have own version of the song. Not as good. She is an amazing singer.
Incredible vocalist!
Her deep wailing reminds and haunts me of Pink Floydddddd
Gimme shelter is not only my favorite Stones song. It's my favorite song ever! If that's possible.
Thanks for the video!
Gave me goose bumps hearing Marys' voice. Wow
Immortalized by her willing participation in this timeless masterpiece... how tragic.
If there is one thing I 've learned when it comes to these groups and this period of music, is that nothing is as it seems. I am afraid the truth is much darker still..
What a good channel this is..!
Where have u been all my life. Bravo.
Thank you Mary. One in a billion.
Excuse me! Merril pulled a gun out. 1 or more of the Stones could have been killed. The Hell's Angles saved the day. Tell the truth!
Yes, Gimme Shelter and Sympathy for the Devil are my two favorite Stones tunes.
Flat out greatest female rock and roll performance of all time….
Great Gig In The Sky might top it.