Gimme Shelter
The Rolling Stones feat. Merry Clayton Lyrics
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My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Ooh 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
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost your 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, yeah
The floods is threatening
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
The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” is a haunting and powerful song that speaks to the anxieties of a generation that had just come out of the tumultuous 1960s. The opening line, “Ooh, a storm is threatening my very life today,” sets the tone for the song, which speaks to the sense of unease and danger that pervaded the era. The song’s sense of urgency is further emphasized by the repetition of the line, “If I don’t get some shelter, ooh yeah, I’m gonna fade away.”
The lyrics also speak to the violence and turmoil that were sweeping the country at the time, as seen in the lines, “War, children, it’s just a shot away.” The idea that violence and danger are just a “shot away” underscores the fragility of life and the sense of threat that so many people were experiencing. The lyrics also touch on themes of sexual violence and the threat of natural disasters, as seen in the lines, “Rape, murder, it’s just a shot away / The floods is threatening my very life today.”
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, a storm is threatening
Trouble is coming and things are going to get rough.
My very life today
This storm poses a real threat to my life.
If I don't get some shelter
If I don't find safety and protection from this storm, I won't survive.
Ooh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
This storm is so intense that if I don't find shelter, I'm going to die.
War, children, it's just a shot away
Violence and conflict are always looming right around the corner.
It's just a shot away
There is little separating us from the dangerous, unpredictable reality of war.
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
There is another dangerous force sweeping through our streets.
Our very street today
The danger is immediate and right outside our doors.
Burns like a red coal carpet
The flames that are consuming everything in their path are intense and overwhelming.
Mad bull lost your way
This fire has taken on a life of its own and is completely out of control.
Rape, murder
Violent crimes are all too common in this world.
It's just a shot away
These acts of violence are always a possibility and can happen at any time.
It's just a shot away
There is little to nothing that separates us from the possibility of rape and murder.
It's just a shot away
These acts are always right there, within reach.
Rape, murder, yeah
These acts of violence are especially pervasive and widespread.
It's just a shot away
We are always at risk and always in danger.
The floods is threatening
Another force of nature is threatening to consume us.
Gimme, gimme shelter
I need safety and protection from these threats.
Or I'm gonna fade away
Without shelter, I'm going to die.
I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
Despite all of the danger and violence in the world, love and affection are always within reach.
It's just a kiss away
Acts of love and kindness are always possible, even in the face of danger and violence.
It's just a kiss away
We must hold onto the hope that we can always find a way to show love and compassion to one another.
It's just a kiss away
No matter how bad things get, we can always choose to be kind and loving.
It's just a kiss away
Love will always prevail, even in the darkest of times.
Kiss away, kiss away
We must hold onto the power of love and affection and use it to keep moving forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob T
They've done some good live versions, but none of them can touch this studio version with Merry Claytons awesome vocals.
shango12b
This scene gave me chills. Hearing Merry's voice singled out goes right through you. No way to describe it.
Sasa Saa
Add Clare Torry in the great gig in the sky to it too😎
Leonard Dixon
Merry's vocals put this over the top, into the stratosphere.
carol ostrandeer
Perfect description !
J H
Miscarriage =/
Begoña Pelayo
R, faxx
Brett Verdell
Lisa Fischer may be good, but Merry Clayton gives the song that raw edge that sends chills running up and down your spine when you hear her singing.
carol ostrandeer
Brett Verdell You are soooo right!
carol ostrandeer
Brett Verdell Holy Hannah!!! Blew my doors off!!!