Gimme Shelter
Keith Richards/Mick Jagger Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost its way

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder yeah!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away yea

The floods is threat'ning
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away




It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gimme Shelter by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger reflect the turbulence of the late 1960s, which saw the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and cultural upheaval. The opening lines of the song describe a literal storm that is threatening the singer's existence, but the metaphorical storm of violence and turmoil in the world is also ever-present. The line "If I don't get some shelter, oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away" expresses the need for a safe haven in a harsh world, a desire that all humans can relate to.


The next verse goes deeper into the theme of violence, with the line "War, children, it's just a shot away." The use of "children" here emphasizes the senselessness of war and how it often affects innocent people. The repetition of "it's just a shot away" increases the tension and sense of impending danger. The following verse references fire, another destructive force that has been used as a metaphor for rebellion and change. The line "mad bull lost its way" suggests that chaos has taken hold, and the mention of rape and murder only further amplifies the theme of violence and danger.


Yet, the chorus offers a glimmer of hope in the line "I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away." Despite the darkness of the world, there is still the potential for love and connection. In many ways, the song is a call to action for people to come together and protect one another from the storm of violence and oppression.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My life is in danger from a storm.


My very life today
I am in immediate mortal danger.


If I don't get some shelter
Unless I find safety, I will perish.


Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
I will die if I don't find shelter.


War, children, it's just a shot away
Violent conflict endangers us all.


It's just a shot away
The danger is close at hand.


Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Flames are spreading and growing.


Our very street today
The fire is right here and now.


Burns like a red coal carpet
The flames are spreading and deadly.


Mad bull lost its way
The danger is wild and unpredictable.


Rape, murder!
Violent crimes threaten us.


Rape, murder yeah!
The threat of violent crime is real.


Rape, murder!
Violent crimes endanger us all.


It's just a shot away yea
The threat could come at any moment.


The floods is threat'ning
Water is putting my life in danger.


Gimme, gimme shelter
I need safety and protection.


Or I'm gonna fade away
Without safety, I will die.


I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
Despite the danger, love and intimacy are possible.


Kiss away, kiss away
Embrace and connection can provide comfort and safety.




Lyrics © Edition JA, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@metabike

Saw the Stones 2 times live in Olympic Stadium Montreal : unreal of a dream

@carloscadilha433

😅

@isabellelapointe3701

Lucky you!!🎉🎉🎉 Was too morbidly obese to even try to find a seat large enough 4 me. That was then. Now that I can sit wherever I want, these legends are all gone. 😢😢😢😢

@Ouzotime

@metabike, Saw them once in Toronto but was 2 stoned to enjoy them...SHAME!!!

@joseluisfernandezmartinez8697

Hay personas como tú que nacen de pie.

@user-jf3tk8db4w

😊 ХХХ зхх😊жжжзззз😊😊0😊з😊😊😊😊😊0😊з😊😊0😊😊😊😊😊0😊0😊😊збббз😊з0бб жжжзззз з😊зз😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 жжжзззз😊😊😊😊 жжжзззз😊ззбб😊з😊з😊 жжжзззз 0😊з😊😊😊з😊😊з😊зз😊0з😊😊😊з😊😊😊зд зз з😊 жжжзззз ЖЖ жжжзззз 0зз

13 More Replies...

@texasbluebonnet4303

These guys were , and still are a complete phenomenal act! This woman could break a glass with her voice, wow Lisa!

@flyingsnow311

Is that Lisa Fisher or is it another Singer ??

@newcountrylover

Totally agreed 👍🏻

@snorlaxsleeep6873

The Women who sings the Chorus in the studio versions claims it gave her a miscarriage because the of the amount of takes they made her do because it sounded so good with her voice breaking. So sad if it's true but so electric to hear that part.

More Comments

More Versions