Gimme Shelter
Puddle of Mudd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, a storm is threatening
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Lord, I'm gonna fade away

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

Oh, see the fire is sweepin'
At our streets today
Burnin' like a red coal carpet
A mad bull lost it's way

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

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

Yeah, a storm is threatening
My very life today
A gimme, a gimme shelter
Or I'm gonna fade away

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

I tell love, sister, yeah, it's just a kiss away
I tell love, sister, yeah, 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

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, kiss away, kiss away

Gimme shelter, yeah, gimme shelter, yeah




Gimme shelter, yeah, gimme shelter
Gimme shelter, gimme shelter

Overall Meaning

In the song "Gimme Shelter" by Puddle of Mudd, the lyrics describe a sense of impending doom and the need for protection or shelter from the storm that is coming. The storm could be interpreted as a metaphor for any challenge or danger that threatens to overwhelm the singer. The line "War, children, yeah, it's just a shot away" suggests the violence and chaos that is happening around them, and how the threat of harm is very real. The repeated chorus of "gimme shelter" reinforces the idea that the singer needs sanctuary, somewhere safe to retreat to in the face of danger.


The song was originally written and performed by The Rolling Stones in 1969, and was inspired by the Vietnam War and the unrest of the late 1960s. The lyrics were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the distinctive, haunting backing vocals were contributed by a soul singer named Merry Clayton. In Puddle of Mudd's version, the lyrics are mostly unchanged, but the rock band's heavier sound gives the song a modern edge.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, a storm is threatening
There is a looming danger that is about to happen


My very life today
I am personally in danger from the impending danger


If I don't get some shelter
If I don't find a safe place to protect me from the danger


Lord, I'm gonna fade away
I will die or be lost if I don't find shelter


War, children, yeah, it's just a shot away
The danger is war or conflict, which is really close to happening


It's just a shot away
The conflict can happen suddenly and with little warning


Oh, see the fire is sweepin'
The danger is represented by an unstoppable, fast-moving fire


At our streets today
The fire is happening in the places we occupy


Burnin' like a red coal carpet
The fire is destructive, leaving nothing behind but devastation and ash


A mad bull lost it's way
The fire is basically a wild animal that's out of control


Rape, murder, it's just a shot away
The danger isn't just limited to conflict; it involves life and death situations and criminal acts as well


Gimme shelter, yeah, gimme shelter, yeah
The repeated calls for shelter highlight the urgency of the situation


I tell love, sister, yeah, it's just a kiss away
Amidst all the danger, the singer calls for love as the solution, which is symbolized by a kiss


It's just a kiss away, it's just a kiss away
Love and affection offer a way out of the violence and chaos




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:

@Rasmusweinhardt

The greatest cover of the greatest Rolling Stones song ever... Nothing more, nothing less... Awesome!!!! Well done guys!!!!

@fredcrowley7903

Absolutely agree!!!!!!!!!

@RichardStull

Listen to thunders verson,itversion, will blow your mind

@conniejones5068

As a fan of The Rolling Stones and this being my favorite song, Puddle of Mud has really done a good cover of this song.

@TheFlatpick

I love covers. Don't compare them to the original. Just dig them.

@DarleyNascimento

Caramba, como só fui conhecer essa música em 2022? Muito boa

@lisasmith7530

Oh my God!!!! How have I never heard this until now???? This is my favorite Stones song fave song ever and they just rocked this the F out! I am blown away that I found this and freaking love this cover! Puddle of Mudd were very underrated. Love this!

@stephenconnors5638

This is one of the best covers I've ever heard. Good job.

@benjaminmelanson1280

great cover, this song has deep meaning, and the stones version depicts just that based on the time it was made in. No cover can truly sound the way the stones portrayed this song, but they did a very good job.

@lnghrnfn

This is AMAZING ❤

More Comments

More Versions