Story goes that when Mary Clayton's voice cracked during her solo spot, she glanced at lead singer Mick Jagger, and you can hear him shout "Woo!". She thought she biffed it, but saw Mick lovin' it, so she kept right on singing. That's the take they used, and Mary's emotive cracking became the best moment in the song!
Whenever I watch this video and think about the war in Vietnam going on when it was released, I get chills. 1969 was a hell of a year for all of us. This track still rocks as much as it ever did, and Merry Clayton's backing vocals....JESUS CHRIST!!!
Woah, dear lady, you have such great taste in music!! This is one of my favorite songs, by the Rolling Stones!! Still gives me the chills after all these years!!
It took Mary Clayton about 13 seconds to GET INTO IT and create the best voice duo with Jagger EVAAAR. Woke out of bed, two takes out of the limo in her nightgown, and gone as quickly as she'd come........ and into music history from days of lore
Took this beautiful chick about five whole seconds to get into this song, one of the best rock songs ever recorded. I'd love to watch her listen to Stray Cat Blues, "Guess your mama never saw you scratch my back!"
It took Mary Clayton about 13 seconds to GET INTO IT and create the best voice duo with Jagger EVAAAR. Woke out of bed, two takes out of the limo in her nightgown, and gone as quickly as she'd come........ and into music history from days of lore .
You nailed it, girl! The Stones have always incorporated bits of funk and soul into their rock and roll. These are elements that seem to have been largely forgotten in today's rock music. Awesome you picked up on that!
The Rolling Stones started out as a Blues band! They took American Blues and just speed it up! Some of my favorite Rolling Stones songs are remakes of Robert Johnson like Love in Vain. They always have that swing because of Charlie’s drumming
When Merry Clayton, the backup singer, realized her voice broke in the "rape, murder" part wanted to go again, they said it was exactly the intensity and urgency they wanted in the song, you can hear someone yell "yeah!" in the background. Fun fact, Merry Clayton was 8 months pregnant when they recorded this.
Merry Clayton was something else! Made the song with more urgency. Youve probably heard it in a war movie. Beatles and Stones. The founding members of the 60s British invasion. The stones really started hitting their peak in the late 60s. That's when they really started doing country , reggae, and blues like no one else.
Bluetop Guitar And though original, Brian Jones, was no musical slouch, their absolute best era was the years when Mick Taylor joined the group. As a team, the best guitar twosome in rock. You could never tell who was going to be playing lead at any point of a song.
Please do their song “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.” Yeah, that’s Mick Jagger on harmonica. This was made during the Vietnam war. That’s Merry Clayton on vocals with Mick.
I wasn't around then, but I feel like this is one of the songs that made people's parents afraid of the Rolling Stones and rock'n'roll. It's SO funky and SO dark.
Pretty much every rock band that has earned their worth will tell you that The Rolling Stones has been a major influence in their music. The Stones and the Beatles pretty much Changed rock and roll throughout the sixties to what it is now. The amazing thing is that they just released a new album and are touring this year [but had to postpone due to the virus outbreak].
Two of my favorites in one video: The Rolling Stones (who I met in 2015 when I was working as a security guard. Didn't meet Mick but met Keith, Charlie and Woody...they are very laid back and cool) and my always number one beautiful queen/boss/sweetheart forever. Happy Tuesday my beautiful rocking queen ❤💕💝💘💗💓💞💖😍🌟⭐👑🎸🎹🎶🎤🎼🎵🎧
This is their Vietnam anti war song. Shelter, children a shot away, war, Americans soldiers( a very small percentage of soldiers) killed innocent children, women and old men. When Mary Clayton read the lyrics she immediately wanted to know what this was about. She wasn't happy. Once explained it was about the war she was on board. Once they heard her voice they knew this was the missing piece to the song. She was called late at night, she was very pregnant at the time. Her husband wasn't crazy about her doing this but they needed the money. I'm not sure if this istrue but she showed up in curlers in her hair. I believe they only did 3 takes with. She never performed the song with live. I feel I must say this that any carnage afflicted on innocent Vietnam villages was by a very very very small percentage of American soldiers. Our Vietnam Vets endured a brutal war and an ugly reception home. These Vets were treated worse than any Vets in our history. They were following orders. Those orders weren't to massacre innocents and almost all of them didn't. They are becoming old and in a couple decades they'll begone. If are lucky enough to meet one say thank you.
Merry Clayton also was the backup singer in "Sweet Home Alabama", that is another interesting story to tell(first she didn't want to accept that job, because of the song's message) She is such a great singer. ♥
Yep, i learned that from the documentary « Twenty feet from... « . And when you know the context and the whole story around « Sweet home Alabama », it’s a kind of funny. By the way, it’s a really good doc.
Amazing how these musicians were so smart at such young ages. The song starts with them knowing the horrors of war which could have rape and murder and in an instant. Then at the end the song offers a a solution of Love. It's just a kiss away.
the woman singing in the background is Merrie Clayton. She was called into the studio at 2AM to record this. You're listening to the third take.. She was in her pajamas and curlers when she sang this
Actually, really dark lyrics when you think about it. If you don't get "shelter" from the harshness of the world, people can snap and bad things can happen---war, rape, murder, incest---(snap!!)--like that. Yikes.
This song is older than most on the thread. google the interview with Lisa Fischer and the 10PM call to sing this in the studio. Our youth are doomed if they do not know their history. music history is just as important.
Merry Clayton has been waking in the middle of the night by Jagger who got the inspiration at the moment ; they came with the band to the studio to record the song (Merry had no time to pull on clothes and came with his bathrobe ); Jagger explained it was the reason why Merry got such an amazing cracking voice !!!!!!
keep rockin girl, you look like me when I use to listen to this music I can see you really enjoy this. God bless, you beautiful young mind. Another thing I noticed you really have a good ear for picking out background singers, high and low tones, the voice of Mick Jagger and the melody of how it is put together.
You should watch this clip about Merry Clayton the background singer used for this song. Goosebumps when they isolate her vocal... th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
@@thegorn68 I watched it before. Didn't they drag her out of her place way early in the morning to add her vocals? So, like she was in the studio wearing slippers and hair curlers?
Great question. By 1969, just a year before the Beatles broke up, it was pretty even and still is to this day, especially if you're talking to a die hard Stones fan, but my answer has always been that The Beatles were the greatest simply because of their influence. ❤️ 🎶
@@AmericanVanGogh see I like the Stones music better too. I like the Beatles a lot, my favorite is Here Comes the Sun. I have several . But the Rolling Stones has that funk and groove mixed with the rock n roll, a touch of blues. I'd say Gimme Shelter is my favorite song of theirs. I know you aren't that old and this was before your time, but were you ever into Elvis? I wasn't born until 94 but can't stand new music. The 90s was okay but it was the last decade. 80s was good, 70s are my favorite, and I like 60. As far as 50s, I like roots and blues and black people blues. Harlem blues. And I'm in Memphis so that explains it. My parents are big Eagles fans. And my dad's is Rush and Kiss. I don't care too much for Rush, Kiss is okay. Not great but okay. I love some Aerosmith and Black Sabbath. I saw Kiss.
One of the all time greats. Merry Clayton kills it, Mick on blues harp is a subtle addition. One of the anthems of my youth, along with Paint It Black.
I’m such a huge Stones fan I love watching this video! Stones have always had 2 dueling lead guitarists, it’s what gives them that layering sound. The story of Mary Clayton, that FIRE backup singer is also worth hearing about. She recorded that while 8 months pregnant with curlers in her hair.
Love it! They have so many great songs, I don't know what to recommend next. I will just go with some of my personal favourites: "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"; "Bitch"; "Sweet Virginia"; "Sympathy for the Devil"; "Street Fighting Man"; "You Can't Always Get What You Want"; "Ain't Too Proud To Beg"; "Dead Flowers"; "Far Away Eyes"; "Beast of Burden"; etc.
You should watch “20 feet from Stardom “ it focuses on the background singers used in hit music and one of of the main subjects is Merry Clayton who sings backup on this song.
@@novanights2chevy597 I like when they asked her to do a second take and she said, "this time I'm gonna blow em out of the room." Then she pretty much did.
Altamont. I recently picked up a book "Just A Shot Away: Peace, Love, and Tragedy with The Rolling Stones at Altamont" by Saul Austerlitz. Check it out if you want the entire story.
I am not a Stones fan. I respect and appreciate them, like a handful of their songs, and won't change the station when they come on. I just don't own any albums or count them as an influence. But I do agree with you. Jumpin' Jack Flash is an iconic rock song. Loud, raw, in your face with plenty of attitude. Pure rock and roll.
James Kinstle Like a lot of bands that have been around for ages, I find that I like a lot of their music, but they're is also a lot i'm not that into. Has been about 20 years since I first got into the stones, and I am by no means an expert!! Still discovering.
I've been hoping for a long time that you would eventually get around to reacting to The Rolling Stones. And now that you have, well, you may have started with the best song first -- meaning that perhaps the other songs won't hit quite as hard as they otherwise might have! But that's just me. Hella groovy is right! The Rolling Stones are a badass rock-n-roll band. Here's a short list, of what could be a very long list, of assorted bangers and ballads to check out: "Honky Tonk Women" (1969), "Wild Horses" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (1971), "Monkey Man" (1969), "Let It Bleed" (1969) , "Miss You" (1978), "Beast of Burden" (1978), "Tumbling Dice" (1972) and on and on and on.
Gimme Shelter, recorded and released 1969. I was in high school. I had to sign up for the draft in '71 and '72. This is WAY MORE than a song. This was US singing for peace and love through rock and roll, which is The Rolling Stones. Then you say "Groovy".. while I'm next to tears. If you weren't there, you can try, but you may never feel the pain of Vietnam "threatening your very life today"....
@@lorddaver5729 Funny thing is that the first time I heard "Brown Sugar" it was on a bootleg of their German tour. It hadn't been released on vinyl at the time. Still heard the power in it.
There's a little snippet of an interview with Queen Latifah and Merry Clayton who provides these positively incendiary backing vocals. She is wonderful and funny and she speaks of when they got to the part of the song with the rape, murder lyrics after her initial ambivalence she found herself getting really caught up in everything going on at the time and delivered the performance we hear today. Still pretty pertinent, huh?
Goose bumps every time I hear this song lol even my five year old granddaughter sings stones songs with me in the car.Her favourite song is you can't always get what you want lol so cute watching and listening to her ,and she just about knows every word now.
I'm 69 yrs.old. I've seen most of these bands live! I love your reactions!Give me hope you youngster will keep these great tunes going,My Mom was from England so you came to our house for British bands,In the 60's when these bands came out parents didn't like them corrupting their kids,
That's Merry Clayton on vocals. You can hear Jagger yell "Whoo!" when she hit that high shriek. "The recording features guest vocals by Merry Clayton, recorded at a last-minute late-night recording session during the mixing phase, arranged by her friend and record producer Jack Nitzsche.[6] After the first verse is sung by Jagger, Merry Clayton enters and they share the next three verses. A harmonica solo by Jagger and guitar solo by Richards follow. Then, with great energy, Clayton repeatedly sings "Rape, murder! It's just a shot away! It's just a shot away!", almost screaming the final stanza. She and Jagger then repeat the line "It's just a shot away" and finish with repeats of "It's just a kiss away". When speaking of her inclusion in the recording, Jagger stated in the 2003 book According to the Rolling Stones that the Rolling Stones' producer Jimmy Miller thought of having a female singer on the track and told fellow producer Jack Nitzsche to contact one: "The use of the female voice was the producer's idea. It would be one of those moments along the lines of 'I hear a girl on this track - get one on the phone.'"[6][7] Summoned from bed around midnight by Nitzsche, Clayton - heavily pregnant - made her recording with just a few takes and then returned home to bed.[6] It remains the most prominent contribution to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist.[8] At about 2:59 into the song, Clayton's voice cracks under the strain; once during the second refrain on the word "shot", then on the word "murder" during the third refrain, after which Jagger is faintly heard exclaiming "Woo!" in response to Clayton's powerful delivery.[9] Upon returning home, Clayton suffered a miscarriage, attributed by some sources to her exertions during the recording.[10]"-Wikipedia
I saw The Rolling Stones in 2015 in Detroit and the coolest thing was seeing parents wearing their first Rolling Stones tour t-shirts from the 70s with their kids wearing theirs from the 2000s. The world changes a lot over time... but good music will always be good music.
I am certain that many Stones fans have listened to Van "The Man" Morrison, the legendary Irish poetic and musical genius. Do your soul and your followers a favour and play "Astral Weeks". It was recorded in the late 60's....guaranteed to knock your socks off !!!!
Yes. Rolling Stone mag picked Astral Weeks as one of their five records to take to a desert island - so much depth on that album - not an easy first listen but you come back to it again and again - 'Slipstream' 'Cypress Avenue' 'Madame George' any of those any track on that album - genius
@@donaldubh5994 Agree, kind of. But it's easy if you get some high quality 'phones, lie back, close your eyes and actually listen. A true, unique work of genius. Van was in another dimension during that album. He told the band to play whatever/however they wanted to while he laid down the vocals. The result? Pure genius. BTW, Let it Bleed and Exile on Main Street need to be on that list, along with Trout Mask Replica and Bollocks.
"That's groovy", you hit the nail on the head Sis. The Rolling Stones started as a blues band because like most young European kids they were into the Blues Revival of the late fifties and sixties, the great original Bluesmen toured Europe and the UK, and experienced a level of accolade an respect they never had in a segregated America. the Stones, the Beatles, The Animals, and many other British groups based their original songs on blues and R&B styles, and brought those sounds to the States in the British Invasion of the 1960's. You can see that the Stones have mastered the blues in this work. The "shelter" Jagger is seeking is from the social turmoil caused by the Vietnam War and the civil rights struggles of the 60's. "Ruby Tuesday" and "She's a Rainbow". TX
I won't argue that it's their most creative (or at least best) period. But they're also competing with Led Zeppelin at their peak, the Who at their peak, Allman Brothers band at their peak, CCR, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath... I could go on. I can't say who was the greatest band at the time but it sure was a great time for music.
kroft67 There must have been something in the water. And it amazes me how many musicians say that seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan influenced them to start a band. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that about Elvis. No one thought they could be him. But by ‘64 the kids were ready make their own music with a little help from Leo Fender and Les Paul.
Nice...you got to do "Paint it Black" by the Stones. You've probably heard it,a lot of people have and don't realize it because it's on a lot of shows,theme music etc. Great song
Loved your reactions which reminded me of first time I heard Gimme Shelter. Check out “I’m With Her” Medley Encore at Kennedy Center for mountain music at its best.
When they released this song on the Let It Bleed album in late 1969, there really was a war going on in Viet Nam. The song asks you to think about what it would be like if war and destruction were right on your doorstep. It could also be about really bad natural disasters. Scary stuff, but they end it by reminding you that love is just a kiss away.
"I hope it's a good place to start..." It is thee place to start in the Stones catalogue! Ahem, admittedly it's my favorite song by them so I thank you.
I said this before and I say again: You would have been right at home back in the day. Great reaction. I may be 67 now but im 18 when I hear this song.
Mary Clayton makes the song. They woke her up in the middle of the night to come to the studio to sing. Wise choice to go on her part. Top Stones song. Sums up the Stones feel and vibe.
To list great classics from this band is like rolling the credits for Star Wars. Well here's a few of my favorites. Paint It Black, Mother's Little Helper, Heartbreaker, Red Rooster, Shattered, Miss You. There is so much more. Enjoy this rabbit hole. Peace
Hella Groovy. This came out over 50 years ago, when I was 16. Takes me back. Nixon, Viet Nam, Stonewall, rough times. Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Supremes, Jefferson Airplane, Credence, The Door, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Alman Brothers-such great music then...
so many good songs by the stones, who've always just ... sounded like the stones (except for maybe a brief period around 1967) and that's a helluva claim to fame. "sympathy for the devil," "can't you hear me knocking," "start me up," "brown sugar," "tumbling dice," and my own very favorite, "rocks off." if you like the occasional slow song, "angie," "wild horses," and / or "moonlight mile" will take you there.
Story goes that when Mary Clayton's voice cracked during her solo spot, she glanced at lead singer Mick Jagger, and you can hear him shout "Woo!". She thought she biffed it, but saw Mick lovin' it, so she kept right on singing. That's the take they used, and Mary's emotive cracking became the best moment in the song!
That recording is amazing
She lost her baby shortly after.
It’s a prime example of perfect imperfection.
Cool story, never knew that. Love this song soooo much!
Not Mary, but Merry Clayton, first name spelling because she was born on Christmas Day.
50 years later I still get chills when I hear Merry Claytons amazing voice!
Whenever I watch this video and think about the war in Vietnam going on when it was released, I get chills. 1969 was a hell of a year for all of us. This track still rocks as much as it ever did, and Merry Clayton's backing vocals....JESUS CHRIST!!!
Facts!
My favorite Stones song. Mary Clayton's voice cracking with Mick going whooo! Fire
Woah, dear lady, you have such great taste in music!! This is one of my favorite songs, by the Rolling Stones!! Still gives me the chills after all these years!!
This song is timeless , fit so into today’s world perfectly
Yes it really does….
Even more now today with Russia attacking Ukraine and targeting civilians woman, kids... ,they need to be "Given Shelters"
I love how this song has such a full sound, many layers. Best Stones song ever
Greatest intro to any rock tune.
@@harvey1954 Top 5 Rock Song...ALL TIME SONG
@@thesparkledivers Merry Clayton. She did it to their taped backing in Cali. The Stones had recorded their part in London.
It took Mary Clayton about 13 seconds to GET INTO IT and create the best voice duo with Jagger EVAAAR. Woke out of bed, two takes out of the limo in her nightgown, and gone as quickly as she'd come........ and into music history from days of lore
@@harvey1954 Then how come she could look at Jagger, thinking she'd have to re-take, but he shouted "Woo!"..and "hell NO"...
Merry Clayton sings probably the most famous backing vocals in music history, if you can call that performance "backing" vocals...
Took this beautiful chick about five whole seconds to get into this song, one of the best rock songs ever recorded. I'd love to watch her listen to Stray Cat Blues, "Guess your mama never saw you scratch my back!"
It took Mary Clayton about 13 seconds to GET INTO IT and create the best voice duo with Jagger EVAAAR. Woke out of bed, two takes out of the limo in her nightgown, and gone as quickly as she'd come........ and into music history from days of lore
.
Keith Richards and his ability on the guitar is simply unreal, no one can do it like he can, theres a certain magic to how he plays.
Yes indeed....the instrumental, halfway through....is 'something else'....
You nailed it, girl! The Stones have always incorporated bits of funk and soul into their rock and roll. These are elements that seem to have been largely forgotten in today's rock music. Awesome you picked up on that!
The Rolling Stones started out as a Blues band! They took American Blues and just speed it up! Some of my favorite Rolling Stones songs are remakes of Robert Johnson like Love in Vain. They always have that swing because of Charlie’s drumming
I’ve listened to this song a thousand times and still get goosebumps when Merry Clayton’s voice cracks “RAPE MURDER”
She does the best reactions you can tell she has a great ear for good music 🎶 and understands how these rock songs are timeless
When Merry Clayton, the backup singer, realized her voice broke in the "rape, murder" part wanted to go again, they said it was exactly the intensity and urgency they wanted in the song, you can hear someone yell "yeah!" in the background. Fun fact, Merry Clayton was 8 months pregnant when they recorded this.
It was mick in the background! And yeah she miscarried shortly after I think.
There is an entire movie made about Mary and other background singers. Twenty Feet from Stardom. On Netflix. Awesome.
Merry Clayton was something else! Made the song with more urgency. Youve probably heard it in a war movie. Beatles and Stones. The founding members of the 60s British invasion. The stones really started hitting their peak in the late 60s. That's when they really started doing country , reggae, and blues like no one else.
@@andrewcastillo9558 I guess that's the not so fun fact.
Bluetop Guitar And though original, Brian Jones, was no musical slouch, their absolute best era was the years when Mick Taylor joined the group. As a team, the best guitar twosome in rock. You could never tell who was going to be playing lead at any point of a song.
Please do their song “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking.” Yeah, that’s Mick Jagger on harmonica. This was made during the Vietnam war. That’s Merry Clayton on vocals with Mick.
Epic request she will dig it.
Agree with this request as it is epic.
And check out mick Taylor on the last lead!! Great guitarist!!!!
I'm not a Stones fan, but that opening riff in Can't You Hear Me Knockin is fuckin awesome.
I thought lisa Fisher song backup for Mick
This is actually my favorite song of all time.
Rolling Stones Are literaly the definition of ROCK N Roll
I wasn't around then, but I feel like this is one of the songs that made people's parents afraid of the Rolling Stones and rock'n'roll. It's SO funky and SO dark.
Pretty much every rock band that has earned their worth will tell you that The Rolling Stones has been a major influence in their music. The Stones and the Beatles pretty much Changed rock and roll throughout the sixties to what it is now.
The amazing thing is that they just released a new album and are touring this year [but had to postpone due to the virus outbreak].
THEIR GREATEST SONG
My all-time fav song. Please do watch ‘20 Feet From Stardom’ for the back story on this vocal. Merry Clayton is simply unreal.
My all time fav by them
@@KissMeStarlight One of the top 5 songs EVER
Mick Jagger is no mean vocalist and she blew him out of the water. Great song.
Agreed! Great documentary on the perspective of back up singers especially Merry Clayton she was phenomenal👍
@@ianmarsden1130 The third rape murder her voice hits another leve and you immediately heal Mick give her an approving howl.
Two of my favorites in one video: The Rolling Stones (who I met in 2015 when I was working as a security guard. Didn't meet Mick but met Keith, Charlie and Woody...they are very laid back and cool) and my always number one beautiful queen/boss/sweetheart forever. Happy Tuesday my beautiful rocking queen ❤💕💝💘💗💓💞💖😍🌟⭐👑🎸🎹🎶🎤🎼🎵🎧
Keith at his best. And yes, that was Jagger on harmonica.
A perfect synergy of artists that came together and created this masterpiece.
This is their Vietnam anti war song. Shelter, children a shot away, war, Americans soldiers( a very small percentage of soldiers) killed innocent children, women and old men.
When Mary Clayton read the lyrics she immediately wanted to know what this was about. She wasn't happy. Once explained it was about the war she was on board. Once they heard her voice they knew this was the missing piece to the song. She was called late at night, she was very pregnant at the time. Her husband wasn't crazy about her doing this but they needed the money. I'm not sure if this istrue but she showed up in curlers in her hair. I believe they only did 3 takes with. She never performed the song with live.
I feel I must say this that any carnage afflicted on innocent Vietnam villages was by a very very very small percentage of American soldiers. Our Vietnam Vets endured a brutal war and an ugly reception home. These Vets were treated worse than any Vets in our history. They were following orders. Those orders weren't to massacre innocents and almost all of them didn't. They are becoming old and in a couple decades they'll begone. If are lucky enough to meet one say thank you.
Merry Clayton also was the backup singer in "Sweet Home Alabama", that is another interesting story to tell(first she didn't want to accept that job, because of the song's message) She is such a great singer. ♥
Yep, i learned that from the documentary « Twenty feet from... « . And when you know the context and the whole story around « Sweet home Alabama », it’s a kind of funny. By the way, it’s a really good doc.
Amazing how these musicians were so smart at such young ages. The song starts with them knowing the horrors of war which could have rape and murder and in an instant. Then at the end the song offers a a solution of Love. It's just a kiss away.
This was released in 1969. And they just released a new song this week "Living in a Ghost Town" Sound great too.
Luv the way you pick out the groove! Best of everything with your new release!
THE greatest Stones song of all time and one of the greatest rock songs ever.
the woman singing in the background is Merrie Clayton. She was called into the studio at 2AM to record this. You're listening to the third take.. She was in her pajamas and curlers when she sang this
I must have heard this song over 200 times in my life and I'm just finding out what the chorus lyrics are. Had no idea it was war and murder and rape.
Lol learn something new every day
LOL me as well
Me too, it wasn't until I actually watched a reaction video that I saw that.
Actually, really dark lyrics when you think about it. If you don't get "shelter" from the harshness of the world, people can snap and bad things can happen---war, rape, murder, incest---(snap!!)--like that. Yikes.
This song is older than most on the thread. google the interview with Lisa Fischer and the 10PM call to sing this in the studio. Our youth are doomed if they do not know their history. music history is just as important.
Merry Clayton has been waking in the middle of the night by Jagger who got the inspiration at the moment ; they came with the band to the studio to record the song (Merry had no time to pull on clothes and came with his bathrobe ); Jagger explained it was the reason why Merry got such an amazing cracking voice !!!!!!
Mary Clayton was the back up Singer that hit those high notes in the chorus.
She explains it all in the DVD Documentary: ( Twenty Feet From Stardom.)
Stones are definitely worth digging deeper.
keep rockin girl, you look like me when I use to listen to this music I can see you really enjoy this. God bless, you beautiful young mind. Another thing I noticed you really have a good ear for picking out background singers, high and low tones, the voice of Mick Jagger and the melody of how it is put together.
You can hear someone shout off mic when she hits the screaming note "Rape and Murder! Yeah!" during the backup vocalists solo.
Thats mick wooing
You should watch this clip about Merry Clayton the background singer used for this song. Goosebumps when they isolate her vocal...
th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
@@thegorn68 I watched it before. Didn't they drag her out of her place way early in the morning to add her vocals? So, like she was in the studio wearing slippers and hair curlers?
Lotta great songs from the Stones, but this one is my favorite. Next up by them should be "Sympathy for the Devil".
One of my top ten songs any band any genre!
Spot on with those two classics
“Let it Bleed” is a funky track from them.
That's just country
A good track, but certainly not funky.
The best gift my sister ever gave me was this album for my fifteenth birthday in 1969. ♥️😎🎨
Were the Beatles still bigger
Great question. By 1969, just a year before the Beatles broke up, it was pretty even and still is to this day, especially if you're talking to a die hard Stones fan, but my answer has always been that The Beatles were the greatest simply because of their influence. ❤️ 🎶
@@AmericanVanGogh see I like the Stones music better too. I like the Beatles a lot, my favorite is Here Comes the Sun. I have several . But the Rolling Stones has that funk and groove mixed with the rock n roll, a touch of blues. I'd say Gimme Shelter is my favorite song of theirs. I know you aren't that old and this was before your time, but were you ever into Elvis? I wasn't born until 94 but can't stand new music. The 90s was okay but it was the last decade. 80s was good, 70s are my favorite, and I like 60. As far as 50s, I like roots and blues and black people blues. Harlem blues. And I'm in Memphis so that explains it. My parents are big Eagles fans. And my dad's is Rush and Kiss. I don't care too much for Rush, Kiss is okay. Not great but okay. I love some Aerosmith and Black Sabbath. I saw Kiss.
@@ezekiel5687 it's been a pleasure talking music with you. Have a great night and rock on, brother. ❤️ 🎶
“Tumbling Dice.” Just an old fashioned, straight up R&R song. “I’m all sixes,
sevens and nines” :)
Always my fav Stones song. Merry Clayton on backup vocals lights it up
I'm dying for someone to cover The Stones "It's only rock 'n' roll but I like it !"
One of the all time greats. Merry Clayton kills it, Mick on blues harp is a subtle addition. One of the anthems of my youth, along with Paint It Black.
I’m such a huge Stones fan I love watching this video! Stones have always had 2 dueling lead guitarists, it’s what gives them that layering sound.
The story of Mary Clayton, that FIRE backup singer is also worth hearing about. She recorded that while 8 months pregnant with curlers in her hair.
Love it! They have so many great songs, I don't know what to recommend next. I will just go with some of my personal favourites: "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"; "Bitch"; "Sweet Virginia"; "Sympathy for the Devil"; "Street Fighting Man"; "You Can't Always Get What You Want"; "Ain't Too Proud To Beg"; "Dead Flowers"; "Far Away Eyes"; "Beast of Burden"; etc.
You should watch “20 feet from Stardom “ it focuses on the background singers used in hit music and one of of the main subjects is Merry Clayton who sings backup on this song.
Definitely, one of my favorite movies and they play her isolated vocals of this solo and you hear the crew whooping and cheering when she squeaks.
In the song you can still hear Mick say "Whoa"
Here's a snippet from “20 feet from Stardom“ involving Gimme Shelter
th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
@@novanights2chevy597 I like when they asked her to do a second take and she said, "this time I'm gonna blow em out of the room." Then she pretty much did.
A brutal wicked tune. Watch the movie Gimme Shelter if you want an even darker side of the generation of love.
Altamont. I recently picked up a book "Just A Shot Away: Peace, Love, and Tragedy with The Rolling Stones at Altamont" by Saul Austerlitz. Check it out if you want the entire story.
Dude, I was there at Altamont.
most riveting rock movie ever, and one of the most riveting movies of any kind ever
The woman who was singing was about six months pregnant and her hair was in curlers when she Sid this.
I can listen to this song anytime and anywhere. Best of the Stones.
The song that got me into the Stones was 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'. After I heard that, there was no turning back.
I am not a Stones fan. I respect and appreciate them, like a handful of their songs, and won't change the station when they come on. I just don't own any albums or count them as an influence. But I do agree with you. Jumpin' Jack Flash is an iconic rock song. Loud, raw, in your face with plenty of attitude. Pure rock and roll.
James Kinstle Like a lot of bands that have been around for ages, I find that I like a lot of their music, but they're is also a lot i'm not that into. Has been about 20 years since I first got into the stones, and I am by no means an expert!! Still discovering.
James Kinstle “don’t count them as an influence”...lol. Fuckin dumbass
I got into them in 1965 "CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION".
Rolling stones- miss you
Midnight Rambler. You’ll love the bump n grind going on with that one
Up vote.
My older brother would play Midnight Rambler when I was young that I called it my lullaby song because he would constantly sing to it lol
This is one of best songs ever made
I love you dancing along!! I’m fifteen, and I first heard this song when I was seven and my mom told me I was rocking hard too lol
Greatest Rock n Roll Band ever! Better tap into that rabbit hole.
Yeah, the Stones influenced many of today's rockers. I think the word ICONIC was created because of them. Excellent reaction!
I didn’t know about this woman until 5 minutes ago. She’s got the spirit and vibe I need. ‘Easy subscribe. ‘Great job.
This song has got it all ! Complexity , funk , blues , ... one of the greatest ever
I've been hoping for a long time that you would eventually get around to reacting to The Rolling Stones. And now that you have, well, you may have started with the best song first -- meaning that perhaps the other songs won't hit quite as hard as they otherwise might have! But that's just me. Hella groovy is right! The Rolling Stones are a badass rock-n-roll band. Here's a short list, of what could be a very long list, of assorted bangers and ballads to check out: "Honky Tonk Women" (1969), "Wild Horses" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (1971), "Monkey Man" (1969), "Let It Bleed" (1969) , "Miss You" (1978), "Beast of Burden" (1978), "Tumbling Dice" (1972) and on and on and on.
My favorite Rock Band of all time!!! They are totally WILD in live concert!! So totally the best ever....Experience of a lifetime....
Thank You! All my Stones requests finally paid off!
Gimme Shelter, recorded and released 1969. I was in high school. I had to sign up for the draft in '71 and '72. This is WAY MORE than a song. This was US singing for peace and love through rock and roll, which is The Rolling Stones. Then you say "Groovy".. while I'm next to tears. If you weren't there, you can try, but you may never feel the pain of Vietnam "threatening your very life today"....
Same here had to register for the draft always had in the back of my mind should I flee to Canada
my favorite stones song of all time
Try Rolling Stones..."Brown sugar"
But it needs to the original studio recording of Brown Sugar. Most live recordings are poorly performed or badly recorded.
@@lorddaver5729 Funny thing is that the first time I heard "Brown Sugar" it was on a bootleg of their German tour. It hadn't been released on vinyl at the time. Still heard the power in it.
There's a little snippet of an interview with Queen Latifah and Merry Clayton who provides these positively incendiary backing vocals. She is wonderful and funny and she speaks of when they got to the part of the song with the rape, murder lyrics after her initial ambivalence she found herself getting really caught up in everything going on at the time and delivered the performance we hear today. Still pretty pertinent, huh?
Goose bumps every time I hear this song lol even my five year old granddaughter sings stones songs with me in the car.Her favourite song is you can't always get what you want lol so cute watching and listening to her ,and she just about knows every word now.
"Ruby Tuesday" & "As Tears Go By" are a must!
I'm 69 yrs.old. I've seen most of these bands live! I love your reactions!Give me hope you youngster will keep these great tunes going,My Mom was from England so you came to our house for British bands,In the 60's when these bands came out parents didn't like them corrupting their kids,
Yes please do more Stones. They have some great songs like Wild Horses, Sympathy for the devil, Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar and Tumbling Dice.
The album Let It Bleed is the Stones at their best imo. You Can't Always Get What You Want is worth a listen.
That's Merry Clayton on vocals. You can hear Jagger yell "Whoo!" when she hit that high shriek. "The recording features guest vocals by Merry Clayton, recorded at a last-minute late-night recording session during the mixing phase, arranged by her friend and record producer Jack Nitzsche.[6] After the first verse is sung by Jagger, Merry Clayton enters and they share the next three verses. A harmonica solo by Jagger and guitar solo by Richards follow. Then, with great energy, Clayton repeatedly sings "Rape, murder! It's just a shot away! It's just a shot away!", almost screaming the final stanza. She and Jagger then repeat the line "It's just a shot away" and finish with repeats of "It's just a kiss away". When speaking of her inclusion in the recording, Jagger stated in the 2003 book According to the Rolling Stones that the Rolling Stones' producer Jimmy Miller thought of having a female singer on the track and told fellow producer Jack Nitzsche to contact one: "The use of the female voice was the producer's idea. It would be one of those moments along the lines of 'I hear a girl on this track - get one on the phone.'"[6][7] Summoned from bed around midnight by Nitzsche, Clayton - heavily pregnant - made her recording with just a few takes and then returned home to bed.[6] It remains the most prominent contribution to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist.[8]
At about 2:59 into the song, Clayton's voice cracks under the strain; once during the second refrain on the word "shot", then on the word "murder" during the third refrain, after which Jagger is faintly heard exclaiming "Woo!" in response to Clayton's powerful delivery.[9] Upon returning home, Clayton suffered a miscarriage, attributed by some sources to her exertions during the recording.[10]"-Wikipedia
The world needs this record right about now. We need shelter from the shelter, fear, and uncertainty. Peace and salute
I saw The Rolling Stones in 2015 in Detroit and the coolest thing was seeing parents wearing their first Rolling Stones tour t-shirts from the 70s with their kids wearing theirs from the 2000s. The world changes a lot over time... but good music will always be good music.
I am certain that many Stones fans have listened to Van "The Man" Morrison, the legendary Irish poetic and musical genius. Do your soul and your followers a favour and play "Astral Weeks". It was recorded in the late 60's....guaranteed to knock your socks off !!!!
Yes. Rolling Stone mag picked Astral Weeks as one of their five records to take to a desert island - so much depth on that album - not an easy first listen but you come back to it again and again - 'Slipstream' 'Cypress Avenue' 'Madame George' any of those any track on that album - genius
@@donaldubh5994 Agree, kind of. But it's easy if you get some high quality 'phones, lie back, close your eyes and actually listen. A true, unique work of genius. Van was in another dimension during that album. He told the band to play whatever/however they wanted to while he laid down the vocals. The result? Pure genius.
BTW, Let it Bleed and Exile on Main Street need to be on that list, along with Trout Mask Replica and Bollocks.
"That's groovy", you hit the nail on the head Sis. The Rolling Stones started as a blues band because like most young European kids they were into the Blues Revival of the late fifties and sixties, the great original Bluesmen toured Europe and the UK, and experienced a level of accolade an respect they never had in a segregated America. the Stones, the Beatles, The Animals, and many other British groups based their original songs on blues and R&B styles, and brought those sounds to the States in the British Invasion of the 1960's. You can see that the Stones have mastered the blues in this work. The "shelter" Jagger is seeking is from the social turmoil caused by the Vietnam War and the civil rights struggles of the 60's. "Ruby Tuesday" and "She's a Rainbow". TX
The Stones at the start of a great streak of songwriting.
Hey its the Rolling Stones. A legendary Band back in the day..
Merry Clayton, soul and gospel singer.
Quality deconstruction of perfection, great review 👍
One of the few videos that enhances the song.
This is from their most creative period from 1969 - 1974 when The Stones were truly the Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band in the world.
I won't argue that it's their most creative (or at least best) period. But they're also competing with Led Zeppelin at their peak, the Who at their peak, Allman Brothers band at their peak, CCR, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath... I could go on. I can't say who was the greatest band at the time but it sure was a great time for music.
kroft67 There must have been something in the water. And it amazes me how many musicians say that seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan influenced them to start a band. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that about Elvis. No one thought they could be him. But by ‘64 the kids were ready make their own music with a little help from Leo Fender and Les Paul.
Those British bands ruled the world at that time.😉
Nice...you got to do "Paint it Black" by the Stones. You've probably heard it,a lot of people have and don't realize it because it's on a lot of shows,theme music etc. Great song
Loved your reactions which reminded me of first time I heard Gimme Shelter. Check out “I’m With Her” Medley Encore at Kennedy Center for mountain music at its best.
heartbreaker , cant you hear me knockin, stray cat blues, let it loose, loving cup, there's so many!!!
When they released this song on the Let It Bleed album in late 1969, there really was a war going on in Viet Nam. The song asks you to think about what it would be like if war and destruction were right on your doorstep. It could also be about really bad natural disasters. Scary stuff, but they end it by reminding you that love is just a kiss away.
"I hope it's a good place to start..." It is thee place to start in the Stones catalogue! Ahem, admittedly it's my favorite song by them so I thank you.
I said this before and I say again: You would have been right at home back in the day. Great reaction. I may be 67 now but im 18 when I hear this song.
Charlie Watts drums make this a monster.
Mary Clayton makes the song. They woke her up in the middle of the night to come to the studio to sing. Wise choice to go on her part. Top Stones song. Sums up the Stones feel and vibe.
You are sure down a rabbit hole with these guys
Have you heard MONKEY MAN yet? I think it’ll ring your bell!
Jagger’s singing confidence is at an all time high.
To list great classics from this band is like rolling the credits for Star Wars. Well here's a few of my favorites. Paint It Black, Mother's Little Helper, Heartbreaker, Red Rooster, Shattered, Miss You. There is so much more. Enjoy this rabbit hole. Peace
Whats even better seeing them do it live which i did in Los Angeles in the 80's
You can hear Mick Jagger go whoa when Mary’s voice cracks spooky sound.
The greatest, straight up in your face rock and roll
Keep hustling, Scribe. Congrats on the album.
Hella Groovy. This came out over 50 years ago, when I was 16. Takes me back. Nixon, Viet Nam, Stonewall, rough times. Stones, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Supremes, Jefferson Airplane, Credence, The Door, Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac, Alman Brothers-such great music then...
so many good songs by the stones, who've always just ... sounded like the stones (except for maybe a brief period around 1967) and that's a helluva claim to fame. "sympathy for the devil," "can't you hear me knocking," "start me up," "brown sugar," "tumbling dice," and my own very favorite, "rocks off." if you like the occasional slow song, "angie," "wild horses," and / or "moonlight mile" will take you there.
Merry Clayton...best background performance period!
I seen the Stones in 81 with no ticket 😃I simply helped a brother sell some tickets and he bought my" white ass"in for free!That was some funny shit!