The lyrics take the point of view of a roaming rapist/murderer; some of the words are reportedly quotes from Albert DeSalvo's confession to the Boston Strangler's crimes. Keith Richards has called the number "a blues opera".
On the composing of the song, Mick Jagger said in a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone, "That's a song Keith and I really wrote together. We were on a holiday in Italy. In this very beautiful hill town, Positano, for a few nights. Why we should write such a dark song in this beautiful, sunny place, I really don't know. We wrote everything there -- the tempo changes, everything. And I'm playing the harmonica in these little cafes, and there's Keith with the guitar." When asked about the song in a 1971 interview with Rolling Stone, Richards said: "Usually when you write, you just kick Mick off on something and let him fly on it, just let it roll out and listen to it and start to pick up on certain words that are coming through, and it's built up on that. A lot of people still complain they can't hear the voice properly. If the words come through its fine, if they don't, that's all right too, because anyway that can mean a thousand different things to anybody."
The studio version of the track (which runs six minutes and fifty-three seconds) was recorded in early 1969 at London's Olympic Sound Studios. Jagger performs vocals and harmonica, while Richards plays all the guitars on the track, using standard tuning for the main guitars and open-E tuning for the slide. Bill Wyman plays bass and Charlie Watts drums; multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones is credited on congas, but is inaudible on the released version.
The Rolling Stones debuted "Midnight Rambler" on stage on 5 July 1969 and performed it regularly in concert through 1976; performances frequently included Jagger crawling around and lashing the stage with his belt. One notable 1969 performance (running just over nine minutes) was captured for the 1970 album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert and was re-released on the 1971 compilation album Hot Rocks. This rendition features guitarist Mick Taylor in addition to Jagger, Richards, Wyman and Watts, while versions from 1975 onward feature Ronnie Wood instead of Taylor. "Midnight Rambler" returned to the Stones' stage repertoire in 1989 and has remained a powerful concert favourite ever since. The rendition featured in the Stones' 2003 concert film Four Flicks runs about twelve minutes.
Midnight Rambler
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody got to go
Well I'm a-talkin' 'bout the midnight gambler
The one you never seen before
I'm sighin' down the wind so sadly
A-listen and you'll hear me moan
Well I'm a talkin' 'bout the midnight gambler
And everybody got to go
Talkin' 'bout the midnight gambler
The one you never seen before
I'm talkin' 'bout the midnight rambler
Did you see me jump the garden wall
I don't give you a hoot of warning
A-dressed up in my black cat cloak
I don't see the light of the morning
I'll split the time the cock'rel crows
I'm tellin' 'bout the midnight rambler
Well, honey, it's no rock 'n' roll show
Well, I'm a-talkin' 'bout the midnight gambler
And everybody got to go
Oh, don't do that
Well, you heard about the Boston
Honey, it's not one of those
Talkin' 'bout the midnight, shit!
Did you see me jump bedroom door
I'm called the hit and run raper, in anger
Or just a knife sharpened, tippy toe
Or just a shoot 'em dead, brainbell jongleur
Everybody got to go
If you ever meet the midnight rambler
And he's prowlin' down your marble hall
And he's pouncin' like a proud black panther
You should say, I told you so
If you listen for the midnight rambler
Play it easy, easy, as you go
I'll go smash down all your plate glass windows
Put my fist through your stairway doors
Well I'm a-talkin' bout the midnight rambler
The one you never seen before
Well I'm a-talkin' bout the midnight rambler
And did you see me jump your garden wall
And if you ever catch the Midnight Rambler
Steal your mistress from under your nose
Go easy with your cold fanged anger
I'll stick my knife right down your throat baby, and it hurts
The Rolling Stones’s “Midnight Rambler” is a song that tells the story of a mysterious and dangerous nighttime intruder. The lyrics contain a wealth of vivid imagery that paints a picture of a lurking, prowling figure who may be a rapist or murderer. The song begins with the singer talking about this “midnight rambler” and how everyone has to be on guard for him. The lyrics then describe the singer’s own experience with the rambler, in which he jumps a garden wall and enters the singer’s bedroom. The rest of the song is a warning to listeners to be on the lookout for the midnight rambler, and if they encounter him to “play it easy” and not provoke him.
The lyrics of “Midnight Rambler” are open to interpretation, but one common reading is that the song is a reflection of the societal anxiety around crime in the late 1960s, particularly in urban areas. The “midnight rambler” can be seen as a stand-in for any number of fears, from random violence to sexual assault to the cultural upheaval of the time. The song’s lyrics also echo the vengeful themes of other songs by The Rolling Stones, such as “Gimme Shelter” and “Sympathy for the Devil,” with their emphasis on dark forces lurking just beyond the boundaries of safety and civilization.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a-talkin' 'bout the midnight rambler
I am referring to the mysterious and elusive figure known as the midnight rambler
Everybody got to go
Everyone must leave or face the consequences of encountering the midnight rambler
Well I'm a-talkin' 'bout the midnight gambler
I am speaking of the cunning and unpredictable midnight gambler
The one you never seen before
A character so elusive that no one has ever witnessed their presence
I'm sighin' down the wind so sadly
I am letting out a sorrowful sigh carried by the wind
A-listen and you'll hear me moan
If you listen closely, you can hear my mournful cries
Did you see me jump the garden wall
Have you witnessed my agile and stealthy maneuver of leaping over a garden wall?
I don't give you a hoot of warning
I will not provide any warning or indication of my imminent arrival
A-dressed up in my black cat cloak
I am camouflaged in a black coat, blending into the darkness like a black cat
I don't see the light of the morning
I am a creature of the night and do not witness the dawn of day
I'll split the time the cock'rel crows
My actions will take place before the rooster crows, marking the end of the night
Well, honey, it's no rock 'n' roll show
This is not a lighthearted or entertaining event, it is serious business
Oh, don't do that
Please refrain from engaging in any behavior that may provoke me
Well, you heard about the Boston
You may have heard rumors or legends about my exploits in Boston
Talkin' 'bout the midnight, shit!
Continuing to speak of my menacing presence and disregard for polite language
If you ever meet the midnight rambler
In the unlikely event that you encounter me, the midnight rambler
And he's prowlin' down your marble hall
As I silently and stealthily make my way through your luxurious home
And he's pouncin' like a proud black panther
Similar to a fierce panther, I am poised to strike and unleash chaos
You should say, I told you so
If you were warned or expected my arrival, then you could say you saw it coming
If you listen for the midnight rambler
If you strain your ears, you may hear the sounds of my movements
Play it easy, easy, as you go
Stay calm and collected as you try to avoid running into me
I'll go smash down all your plate glass windows
If provoked, I will resort to destructive behavior and cause damage to your property
Put my fist through your stairway doors
I am capable of using force to break down doors and access hidden areas
And if you ever catch the Midnight Rambler
If you are ever able to capture or subdue me, the midnight rambler
Steal your mistress from under your nose
I might use the distraction of my capture to commit further misdeeds, such as stealing a romantic partner
Go easy with your cold fanged anger
Don't let your anger consume you and take measured steps to deal with me
I'll stick my knife right down your throat baby, and it hurts
If provoked, I am not afraid to use violence and a knife to inflict harm and pain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnosborne2989
I have an extensive record collection and only have 3 albums with 2 copies, Neil Young Harvest, the Beatles Sgt Pepper and Stone's Let It Bleed, just turned 68 and still play them .
@user-eo9qr3zc2w
The greatest groove album EVER!!!!!!!
@user-eo9qr3zc2w
You can't listen and not tap your feet. I hope Charlie Watts had ten kids and they all drum!!!!
@KathySmith-vb2xk
"This record should be played loud "... this was on the bottom right hand corner of album cover...I'm 71 yrs old now and been plaving it very loud for 54 years... this is the second greatest rock n roll song ever recorded behind ONLY "gimme Shelter"...Let it bleed" is greatest rock n roll album ever recorded
@antduski5996
What harmonica is he using?
@user-wx2sl1nq2i
Cocktail a doodle DO !!!
@user-wx2sl1nq2i
Cockal
@user-wx2sl1nq2i
Stupid
@davidkeys4284
@@antduski5996Sounds like E
@johntellmewhy
I have always thought that this song is a masterpiece. The vocals, the drums, the guitar the harmonica!
It doesn't get any better!