Luckiest Music Generation: Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter

[Genki Hikari]

The song that turned out to be a signal that the 60s were, if not dead, then getting there in a hurry. It sums up how just plain tired everyone was from long years of war, protest and chaos--they wanted shelter from the storm. Literally.

"Gimme Shelter" also has the all-time greatest guest vocal from Merry Clayton, who got hauled out of bed in the middle of the night--curlers in her hair and 4 months pregnant, to do a last-minute recording session. Even her voice cracking twice only makes the intensity and desperation in the lyrics downright harrowing, driving home the song's message with electrifying power. She took a good RS song into the land of the epic with her bravura performance.

I had to include Ms Clayton's look back on her achievement:

That's from the documentary film, Twenty Feet from Stardom, focusing on legendary backup singers. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for? Get it and watch it. NOW.

[Ziggysmom]

1. Merry MADE that song. She sadly suffered a miscarriage the day after the recording.

She also was in a 2014 severe car accident where doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs below the knee. She is a survivor and a treasure!

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. This Live version of "Gimme Shelter" was posted yesterday on Digg.

And, the lady accompanying Mick singing was just incredible. Hands down the best version I've ever heard.

[ret5hd]

3. my FAVORITE cover of this song:

beautiful talented people from all around the world…young and old…singing with sadness and hope and joy all at the same time…collaborating unseen to each other…

and delivering one of the finest renditions of this song that I am aware of: