Fronted by lead singer and lyricist Renato Russo, Legião Urbana was founded in 1983 and existed until 1996, when Renato passed away due to complications caused by AIDS. Besides being the lead vocalist, Renato was an occasional guitar, bass and keyboards player. He also wrote most of the band's songs. In 13 years of career, they released 8 studio albums - the last being posthumous - and one live.
Legião Urbana is probably the most famous Brazilian rock bands, especially known for Renato's poetic lyrics, which range from love and spiritualism to politics, family, sex and drugs.
Nowadays, Dado Villa-Lobos (ex-guitar player of Legião Urbana) has a solo career and recorded his first album, named "Jardim De Cactus", in 2005. Drum player Marcelo Bonfá also tried a solo career.
Gimme Shelter
Legião Urbana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come'on babe gimme shelter or else, I'm gonna fade away.
Ooh, see a storm it's threat'ning my very life today.
Burns like a red coal carpet mad bull lost its way.
Love sister it's just a shot away It's just a shot away
Love sister it's just a shot away It's just a shot away
War sister it's just a shot away It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away It's just a shot away
Love sister it's just a kiss away It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away Kiss away kiss away Kiss away kiss away Kiss away kiss away
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire and there's no fucking place to go
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Gimme Shelter
Come'on babe gimme shelter tonight
Yeah, Burns Like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet,
yeah, yeah, yeah
See a storm it's threat'ning
My very life, my very life, yeah
Come on come on come on
Gimme Shelter, Gimme Shelter, Gimme Shelter
cedo - My very streets today
cedo - Where are the fucking drugs?
cedo
The lyrics of Gimme Shelter by Legião Urbana paint a vivid picture of the chaos and destruction that can come with a storm. The storm is not just a natural phenomenon, but a metaphor for the challenges and dangers that threaten the singer’s life. He calls out for “shelter,” pleading with his lover to save him, because if she doesn’t, he will “fade away.” The storm burns like a red coal carpet and is compared to a lost, wild animal. The lyrics turn from the storm towards “love sister,” “war sister,” and how it is only “just a shot” or “just a kiss” away, hinting at the complexities of relationships and the various kinds of “storms” that can threaten a person.
The lyrics’ themes of danger and destruction are further emphasized with the repeated line “See the fire burning down my soul.” The singer is consumed by the flames of turmoil and has nowhere to turn. He calls out in desperation for the drugs that might ease his pain and offer an escape, but his primary plea is for shelter. He needs someone to protect him from the forces that are tearing him apart.
Overall, the lyrics of Gimme Shelter are a powerful representation of the vulnerability and need for protection that we all experience at some point in our lives. The storm is a symbol of the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces that can threaten us, but it is also a reminder that we can seek shelter in the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, see a storm it's threat'ning my very life today.
There's a danger approaching that puts my life at risk today.
Come'on babe gimme shelter or else, I'm gonna fade away.
I need someone or something to protect me, otherwise, I'll disappear.
Burns like a red coal carpet mad bull lost its way.
The danger is intense and unstoppable, like a raging bull out of control.
Love sister it's just a shot away It's just a shot away
The possibility of love and comfort is close, within reach if only we try.
War sister it's just a shot away It's just a shot away
The possibility of conflict and pain is also close, ready to strike if we're not careful.
It's just a shot away It's just a shot away
Everything can change in an instant, one way or the other.
Love sister it's just a kiss away It's just a kiss away
Love, comfort, and connection are within easy reach, just a step away.
Kiss away kiss away Kiss away kiss away Kiss away kiss away
We should embrace love and connection in any way we can, no matter how small or fleeting.
See the fire burning down my soul
The danger and chaos are affecting me deeply, burning away at my very being.
See the fire and there's no fucking place to go
I feel trapped and helpless, with no way to escape the danger.
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
I may be turning to substances to try and cope with the intense emotions and stress.
Gimme Shelter
I need protection and security from the danger and chaos around me.
Come'on babe gimme shelter tonight
I need someone or something to protect me tonight, more than ever before.
Yeah, Burns Like a red coal carpet
The danger and chaos are still intense and unstoppable, like a fiery carpet.
My very streets today
The danger and chaos are not confined to a single location, but are widespread.
Contributed by Alex Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vênus fia trava
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Come'on babe gimme shelter, or else I'm gonna fade away
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Burns like a red coal carpet, mad bull lost its way
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
War sister
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, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire and there's no fucking place to go
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Gimme shelter
Come'on babe gimme shelter tonight
Yeah! Burns Like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet, yeah, yeah, yeah!
See a storm it's threat'ning
My very life, my very life, yeah
Come on, come on, come on
Gimme shelter, gimme shelter, gimme shelter
Cedo
My very streets today
Cedo
Where are the fucking drugs?
Cedo
Larissa Almeida
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Come'on babe gimme shelter, or else I'm gonna fade away
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Burns like a red coal carpet, mad bull lost its way
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
War sister
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, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire and there's no fucking place to go
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Gimme shelter
Come'on babe gimme shelter tonight
Yeah! Burns Like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet, yeah, yeah, yeah!
See a storm it's threat'ning
My very life, my very life, yeah
Come on, come on, come on
Gimme shelter, gimme shelter, gimme shelter
Cedo
My very streets today
Cedo
Where are the fucking drugs?
Cedo
Vênus fia trava
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Come'on babe gimme shelter, or else I'm gonna fade away
Oh! See a storm it's threat'ning, my very life today
Burns like a red coal carpet, mad bull lost its way
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a shot away, it's just a shot away
War sister
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, it's just a shot away
Love sister
It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away, kiss away
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire burning down my soul
See the fire and there's no fucking place to go
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Where are the drugs? Where are the drugs?
Gimme shelter
Come'on babe gimme shelter tonight
Yeah! Burns Like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet
Burns like a red coal carpet, yeah, yeah, yeah!
See a storm it's threat'ning
My very life, my very life, yeah
Come on, come on, come on
Gimme shelter, gimme shelter, gimme shelter
Cedo
My very streets today
Cedo
Where are the fucking drugs?
Cedo
Juni8r M9lo
Ficou mais explosivo, uma interpretação com sangue nos olhos. Vale lembrar que a origem da Legião Urbana, em especial o Renato Russo, vem do punk, teve como inspiração Bauhaus, Sex Pistols e Ramones, então é preciso avisar aos críticos e haters não ficar procurando primor, o som é sujo e as músicas só tinham três acordes mas que faziam a plateia pular e gritar.
Francisco Mendonça
comentario lucido do caralho! É isso.
Luciano Martins
@Francisco Mendonça DEZ! DO CARALHO MESMO!!!!!!!!! VALEUUUU!
Francisco Mendonça
@Luciano Martins é isso mano! Renato russo tinha uma influencia do caralho e um conhecimento do caralho de Punk rock e Pos punk Inglês. O cara amava sex pistols, Gang of four, public image, joy division, the cure, banshees, the fall, bauhaus, pere Ubu, The Sound...e claro Mr Jim morrison que foi também influência para esse pessoal. Comentario do mano ai foi do caralho!
Valeu meu velho!
Marcio Ventura
Toco e canto com esses três acordes, sangue no olho sim. Eh, acho o máximo, mesmo com minha voz... É forte demais o que essa música faz com a gente.
a bordo do fiat 190 turbo
Gosto dessa musica do jeito q tá som ríspido muito bom na voz dele
Letícia Souza
Ai eu descubro que uma das minhas bandas favoritas fez "cover" da minha banda favorita OMG!
Walmir Cruz
Saudades!!! Época muito BOA!!!!
luiz guilherme moreira sales
MUITO LEGAL TOP 😎 👏