I love how half the people are just commenting to talk about Merry Clayton’s supersonic vocal performance, which is arguably one of the great moments in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
They actually dragged her out of bed to have her sing this and after her voice cracks if you listen closely you can hear mick react to it in the recording
God everything about this song is so perfect...Keith’s guitar lick, Mick’s haunting wailing harmonica, Merry Clayton’s howling “Rape! Murder!” so passionately her voice cracks (and you can hear Mick react “whoa!” to it), the apocalyptic lyrics. Rock has never come closer to perfection in a single song.
@@PeaceandQuiet12345 LOL there’s no Mick Taylor in this song at all, Brian Jones hadn’t even been fired yet. Keef is playing all the guitar parts himself.
and Mick's perfect inflections for that song. It's the two voices together and the way they both move that make the vocals hit you so hard along with its message.
Not only are you correct but the point needs to be made that in concert with this song, without Merry Clayton, the guitar work is still superior but the song itself is less iconic. Her gospel background, with proper breathing, is required to deliver one of the most chilling vocals of all time. Bless Merry Clayton.
Merry Clayton's voice breaks 3 times in that bridge sequence. 3! The emotion, the power, the effect... amazing! Her voice has always been and will always be what I talk about, where this song is concerned. To hear it and not be moved by it, I pity whoever that may be.
Mary Freaking Clayton performed backing vocals on this. She was called in the middle of the night to go to the studio with curlers in her hair, heavily pregnant and the following morning it was complete.
Little known fact: this song was recorded in ONE TAKE! Hence why Merry’s voice cracks at the end and you can hear Mick’s encouragement after. No autotune. No retakes and cross edits. Just pure musical talent!
She was far along in pregnancy too. When Merry’s voice cracks, she loses her child. She sang her literal heart out. They “imply” it in so many words in “20feet From Stardom”
It's hard not to tear up hearing this song. You'd think that by 2022 we'd have learned a thing or two. Sadly this song is just as relevant today as it was in '69. Gimme Shelter, Fortunate Son and Brothers in Arms are the most powerful anti-war songs in my opinion.
I'd like to add War Pigs, Hand of Doom, Disposable Heros, Blackened, Holy Wars and a slew of others. So many poignant songs about the horrors of war and sadly it seems not many listened.
It’s hard to imagine Merry Clayton was eight months pregnant when she recorded this at Chess Records. She was called down after midnight and sang this in her robe and curlers. She was so reluctant about singing the words rape and murder while carrying a child, Mick really had to encourage her. So when she hit that note she blew him away. That’s how incredible she is!
Keith Richard’s guitar intro is haunting, and sets up the whole vibe. And Merry Clayton was so incredible on this song. Her vocal performance is simply stunning. If you listen to her refrain after the solo section, on the third “rape, murder”, on the word “murder”, you can hear her voice break in an exquisitely painful and gorgeous way... and in the background, you can hear Mick Jagger shout “Woo!” in affirmation that he loved it. Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones tracks... it may even be THE favorite.
Great comment about her third "rape/murder" and Jagger going "woo". I totally missed this over all the times I've heard this song and can clearly hear it now. For me it takes this song to an entirely different level than it already was. THANK YOU!
I thought that it was Mavis Staples who sang Rape Murder it's just a shot away. She was home when the studio rang can you come in and sing a few lines.. Her hair in curlers. Video Mavis... And 5 steps from stardom? About backing vocals
Merry's voice gives me goosebumps everytime I listen to it, and to hear Mick give his"woop", that's what a musician wants at least once in their career, that is pure emotion coming from her gut, and she got the admiration from the entire band and engineers I could only imagine how that one night's session felt behind the boards (being an audio engineer for 40 years)
I love the reaction you can hear (probably from Jagger) the quick "waouh" telling maybe she was not suppose to sing like that and surprise Jagger, but it was so great that they keep it for the record
there is a hint of chaos in her voice, desperation that matches the lyric. Probably unintended but she struggled being pregnant and the impromptu lateness of the hour. She probably was in a good deal of physical pain and it certainly comes out in her voice...
Merry Clayton's vocals are LIT. That girl sang like she had an audience with the Good Lord. One of if not thee greatest backing vocals of all time. Blessed that this is recorded for all to hear. Jesus saves.
My dad was a crew chief on a medivac Huey in Vietnam .. he never talked about the war when he got home but he loved those videos about his chopper and this song on TH-cam .. RIP old man.. we miss you ..you are young but somehow you are so humble and respectful with this song .. Thank you
That beautiful voice. This sister was heavily pregnant when she recorded her vocals for this iconic piece. She miscarried soon after. This song is heavy in so many ways, but the back story carries tons of emotional weight. Gets me in my root every time.
I'm not sure about the miscarriage part. I heard her give an interview on NPR about 2-3 years ago with Scott Simon on "Weekend Update" She spoke about being 9 months pregnant during this recording but never mentioned losing the child.
They called the female singer at 3:00Am in the morning to do this song. She was a backup singer from a fairly well-known group. Her agreement to come down to the studio & do the song was probably the most significant thing she ever did to help her own career. Can you imagine what was going through her mind when she received that call?
You’re so right about the old school lyrics being so poignant & so relatable to today’s world. Unbelievable these songs were written & performed 40-50 years ago😲
Of the amazing aspects of this song, Mick's vocal are easily 4 or fifth in importance. Clearly this song belongs to Merry Clayton, but listen to the base line and percussion. Staggering.
I am a girl who's teen and young adult Years were spent in the 60"s and 70's. I have said this to you before that i feel that time was the best years for music. There was an explosion of so many genres coming at you from everywhere. And that was the COOLEST ERA in music. I so enjoy just watching you as you are listening to the best of the best in White Pop culture. I watch the young kids today and I realize they don't have a clue what they are missing. I am so glad that you are on your journey in finding this music, sharing it, and loving it. Welcome to the music i have been rocking out to all my life. Thank you for bringing such joy and expression for the music of my time. Peace out.
Putting Merry Clayton on this song was one of the best moves the Stones ever made -just incredible power and soul cutting through -Stones were very influenced by the early blues and black soul artists ...as were many British group ...this tune hits it out of the park.
I hear that. I graduated in 1966 and was going to join before I got drafted but was saved by a football scholarship. My friends that went were never the same after that.
Dude...I'm almost 63 and this song has been a part of my life since I was a kid. Then and now, I don't always pay full attention to the lyrics. Thank you for doing this song with lyrics in the video...I have to admit I was not fully aware of the lyrics. Awesome...thank you!!
Years ago, I watched a Vietnam documentary, and this song was played over soldiers in the field. Now that was powerful. I cannot listen to this song, without those images anymore.
Just a classic Rock n Roll song, possibly the best ever done. Mary Clayton gives the performance of a life time. Jagger said in an interview that he had goose bumps the whole time she was singing her parts. Clayton and Jagger dragging the best from each other, Richards haunting guitar work, Watts & Wyman laying down their usual great percussion and bass work and the over looked piano playing of Nicky Hopkins make this one of the classics.
Of course the best part of this recording was Merry Clayton background vocals. One hell of a gospel singer. Thank you for that editorial on todays music.
They were in the middle of a war killing the poorer Americans who had no choice to go or not go. This wasn't a "voluntary" army fighting in Vietnam. This was an army of your number comes up, you have to go unless you can afford college. It was a different time. The music stayed ahead of the curve.
Merry Clayton, stunning!! I am a 66 year old female, & this was a crazy time.. I love that you love the music we grew up & fed on. I love to watch you react. Thank u my friend.
Perhaps one of my most favorite Stones songs. I was perhaps 14 years old when that came out, and Veitnam was still going. Yeah it was a powerful song then, and now.
Her voice cracks in the solo she does with a high pitch. They kept Mick Jaggers reaction to it in the studio release. Listen closely dudes and dudettes.
Mick Jagger wasn't in the studio when the vocals were done. She was called by the producers from her sofa to come do those lines and she left.... Took less than an hour.
This song is awsome and Merry Clayton's vocals are quite simply awesome and they make this track the best track of one of the best rock bands of all time IMHO
One of my all-time favourite song intros and my favourite Stones' song by a country mile. Merry Clayton's vocal gives me chills every time - raw, visceral, primal. Gets right under the skin.
The rock music of the sixties was the glue that kept us together amid the assassinations, civil rights, and the war in Vietnam. The music was the sound of a new generation that wanted to change the world. Unfortunately, the message of love, peace, and happiness was lost through the ravages of time. What a pity. Love your reaction to the videos of my time. There is so much music to enjoy. Keep up the good work.
same here.. was born in 71' . heard this song a million times.. never understood a single lyric.. haha.. and they are brutal.. fucking brutal.. and hopeful.
It's a cool thing that there is lyrical exposure. It captures the essence of the turbulent times. The lyrics were always there for the finding. Sheet music, album covers😊
This song is an awesome tribute to Merry Clayton and her voice I mean God her voice gives me chills every time I hear this song. Her passion just blows me away.Thanks Jamal for reacting to this great song and for helping great music stay alive.
the female singer was called upon in the middle of the night to do this session she was heavily pregnant. you can listen to her track on youtube it is chilling. merry clayton.
I grew up on rap and hip hop too, bro. I don't know WHAT I'm hearing when I pull up next to some cars nowadays. It's good seeing you experience classic rock the same way I did once I arrived at it too. My time was from 20 years old. Expanding my musical appreciation was a tremendous benefit to the overall enrichment of my life.
God bless your Uncle.....my bro was a Nam vet as well....thank you to ALL our beloved Vets.....thank you Stones for such a powerful tune. 🇺🇸❤🇬🇧 ✌ to all.
This is my all-time favorite Rolling Stones song. I loved watching you hearing it for the first time, and absolutely love your message at the end. 👍🏻 #OneLove
Jamel, a big part of the passion and turmoil, was the ongoing war in Nam. EVERY week the TV N ews would roll the names of all the hundred or more young men killed in battle, Imagine how it felt to watch hundreds of names of guys just like us that were killed in their youth slowly scrolling upward on your screen..every week over and over for yea rafter year. Each young man responded in different ways to the draft that saw you as a mere pawn in the chess game of war. Behind the music of this era was an overall sense of rebellion against the war, and more. 'Gimmie Shelter' fit into the times perfectly. I'm speaking from experience....
Robert Accomero, I hope that you have achieved peace within you for the horrors that you experienced during that time. I will never forget being at my next door neighbor's home when the taxi driver arrived with the telegram that their son had been killed in Vietnam. No one from the military came to tell the family My neighbor's son was a helicopter pilot that took his buddy's mission as he had already done his for the day. A sniper shot him through his neck. That telegram is what made the Vietnam War real for me. This song haunting notes tells the story of our world at the time. Robert, thank you for your service.
Every year I'd watch that fucking draft lottery, in dread anticipation of turning 18. I lucked out that war ended the year before that happened. Peace to all the GIs.
I didn't know it was,"war, children it's just a shot away". I thought it was, "oooh, children it's just a shout away". Cool Bens that I've been educated by Jamels music reactions
Jamal, love your reviews. You nailed it with this finish - Hip Hop has amazing songs, but the art of the message has become very rare. Then again, you're picking one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time to compare.
It's good ( for me anyway ) that you recognize the good music that came before, and not the crap people have conditioned themselves to listen to today.
What a great way to say a terrible thing. People have conditioned themselves. Sad isnt it? I used the word accepted. Very few people have expanded, gone back on their roots. I started on the Beatles and Stones. They kept mentioning this Chuck Berry guy so I checked him out. Then I had to ask my mom about Little Richard and Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochrane and Carl Perkins. who are these guys? I went back to them. Then back to Robert Johnson and Willie Dixon. I always heard Glenn Miller and big band because my parents loved it. Variety is the spice of.life. yes I have ZZ Top and black sabbath and deep purple but I have the Carpenters the Bee Gees Barry Manilow and CCR and Glenn Miller and Chuck Mangione and john Coltrane and Johnny Cash etc etc etc. Expnd your mind and you'll never be bored.
Arrived in Vung Tau and a tall skinny Black Guy was playing Paint It Black LOUD !! on the wharf I thought what the hell Have I got myself into Haha Still I came back safe,
When Paint It Black came out (1966), my mother seemed to really like it. I asked her about it and she said, "When you've lost someone, you know what it feels like."
Mention music of the Vietnam era to most people of a certain age and this song is either at or near the top of the list. It's in SOOO many movies and works perfectly every single time.
Merry Clayton’s vocals are just powerful and amazing. That voice crack with that murder note it’s perfect. And then jaggers “woo” right after is perfect too.
Please watch “20 feet from stardom” on Netflix. Merry Clayton is the background singer on this and SO MANY MORE. It’s about background singers and you’d be amazed at all their talents!!!
Mary was 8 months pregnant when she got a late-night call requesting her backing vocals on a track by the Rolling Stones. She arrived later that evening at the recording studio wearing a fur coat over her pajamas... not knowing who the Rolling Stones were. She held back a bit during her first run through. When asked to do it again she decided to blow the roof off the building with the second chorus. The rest, as they say, is history.
You nailed the commentary on this.This song always gives me goose bumps. The haunting backup vocals of Merry Clayton compliments Mick's vocals and this song soooo beautifully!!! The lyrics are powerful!
My all time favorite Stones song. So powerful. Her voice gives me chills every time. You are great. Keep on keeping on. I’m a big fan of old school rap and hip hop, too. Completely agree with you. Nothing today compares to the old stuff.
I have never heard of this channel til I stumbled across it. This is my all time fav Stones song, and watching this hit you in that place that it hits a person has made my day. I saw it in your face man. I feel the same thing every time I listen to it, and have for forty years. Right on.
Love and best wishes to you. I was 10 ten when Siagon fell. I remember seeing it on Tv. I knew it was history in the making, but the war had been on my whole life. Not even America, Canada remembers too.
I get chills every time I hear this song. Mick and Merry’s vocals are otherworldly and the lyrics are so real and impactful, even today. One of the best songs ever recorded.
I love how half the people are just commenting to talk about Merry Clayton’s supersonic vocal performance, which is arguably one of the great moments in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
Gives me chills, makes my d*ck hard, and makes me want to cry all at once. The best few seconds of music I've ever heard.
Wrong ... it's inarguable!
Her voice cracking is one of the best moments in rock.
An epic performance that has blown me away every time since I first heard it around 45 years ago.
th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
When Merry Clayton hits that muder note. One of the most powerful and meaningful sounds I have ever heard.
murder note
I’ve often said, I hope I never get as close to the edge as Merry Clayton got on that note.
And one of the strongest words.
They actually dragged her out of bed to have her sing this and after her voice cracks if you listen closely you can hear mick react to it in the recording
Sad fact: they pulled her out of bed to record and she had a miscarriage the following day.
God everything about this song is so perfect...Keith’s guitar lick, Mick’s haunting wailing harmonica, Merry Clayton’s howling “Rape! Murder!” so passionately her voice cracks (and you can hear Mick react “whoa!” to it), the apocalyptic lyrics. Rock has never come closer to perfection in a single song.
The imperfection IS the perfection in this song. Brilliant!
that's not keith its Mick Taylor
@@PeaceandQuiet12345 LOL there’s no Mick Taylor in this song at all, Brian Jones hadn’t even been fired yet. Keef is playing all the guitar parts himself.
and Mick's perfect inflections for that song. It's the two voices together and the way they both move that make the vocals hit you so hard along with its message.
Not only are you correct but the point needs to be made that in concert with this song, without Merry Clayton, the guitar work is still superior but the song itself is less iconic. Her gospel background, with proper breathing, is required to deliver one of the most chilling vocals of all time. Bless Merry Clayton.
Merry Clayton's voice breaks 3 times in that bridge sequence. 3! The emotion, the power, the effect... amazing! Her voice has always been and will always be what I talk about, where this song is concerned. To hear it and not be moved by it, I pity whoever that may be.
Is it really Merry and not Mary?
It’s about the Stones … not some backing singer! Get real!,
Love that break! This feels painful and real!
And yes, She is definitely a core to this song, not just a “backup singer”. 🤦♂️
@@uberduberdave , yes, it's Merry. Merry Clayton was born on Christmas Day, heh heh.
This song is just as relevent in 2021 as it was during the Vietnam war. Timeless classic, one of the greatest rock songs ever made.
Absolutely. Now we have instagramers photoshopping their boobies instead!!!
And now 2022
We're going to War! Against the Russians
F Biden
Even more relevant now, as we are on the brink of ww3.
Ernie I couldn't agree more there are thousands of great songs but for me this is one of the greatest rock songs of all times!
Someone wrote on another thread so I can't take credit but..."Vietnam....the only war with its own soundtrack."
Mary Freaking Clayton performed backing vocals on this. She was called in the middle of the night to go to the studio with curlers in her hair, heavily pregnant and the following morning it was complete.
Pop Land She & Lisa Fischer are two of the best singers I have ever heard.
What a great story!
Sadly she also miscarried shortly after :-( Possibly due to the stress of the situation. Info is on Wikipedia and various Rolling Stones biographies.
@@jamespearce9973 take a look at this. She hardly knew The Stones! th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
Without her, the song is just a great guitar showpiece. She is this song.
Little known fact: this song was recorded in ONE TAKE! Hence why Merry’s voice cracks at the end and you can hear Mick’s encouragement after.
No autotune. No retakes and cross edits. Just pure musical talent!
That actually is a cool fact I didnt know lol thank you
She was far along in pregnancy too. When Merry’s voice cracks, she loses her child. She sang her literal heart out. They “imply” it in so many words in “20feet From Stardom”
No shit...... Didn't know that! Legendary
Merry’s vocal was her second try. She was told the first take was too restrained, so she gave it all for the second take.
That's my favorite part of the song
One of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Absolutely electrifying. Brilliant musicianship. Chilling lyrics. Transcendent vocals. Perfection.
I was just going to say the same thing and I saw your comment. I couldn't have put it better.
@@snakeplissken526 Crazy that he put up this video the last two weeks anything was ever normal again.
It's hard not to tear up hearing this song. You'd think that by 2022 we'd have learned a thing or two. Sadly this song is just as relevant today as it was in '69. Gimme Shelter, Fortunate Son and Brothers in Arms are the most powerful anti-war songs in my opinion.
You got that right
Closer than we know.
I'd like to add War Pigs, Hand of Doom, Disposable Heros, Blackened, Holy Wars and a slew of others. So many poignant songs about the horrors of war and sadly it seems not many listened.
lol, tell that to Vlad.....
It’s hard to imagine Merry Clayton was eight months pregnant when she recorded this at Chess Records. She was called down after midnight and sang this in her robe and curlers. She was so reluctant about singing the words rape and murder while carrying a child, Mick really had to encourage her. So when she hit that note she blew him away. That’s how incredible she is!
Never knew this. Wow! She is amazing! 👏
She also lost the baby a few days later
She was actually 4 months pregnant
Yeah they did use that in the movie blow blow with Johnny Depp he played George he was
Am I wearing lipstick?
Keith Richard’s guitar intro is haunting, and sets up the whole vibe. And Merry Clayton was so incredible on this song. Her vocal performance is simply stunning. If you listen to her refrain after the solo section, on the third “rape, murder”, on the word “murder”, you can hear her voice break in an exquisitely painful and gorgeous way... and in the background, you can hear Mick Jagger shout “Woo!” in affirmation that he loved it.
Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones tracks... it may even be THE favorite.
Great comment about her third "rape/murder" and Jagger going "woo". I totally missed this over all the times I've heard this song and can clearly hear it now. For me it takes this song to an entirely different level than it already was. THANK YOU!
I thought that it was Mavis Staples who sang Rape Murder it's just a shot away. She was home when the studio rang can you come in and sing a few lines.. Her hair in curlers. Video Mavis... And 5 steps from stardom? About backing vocals
Graham Hooper the stones have had different backing-vocalists while on tour but merry clayton is the one who is on the record version of the song
Mine too! So Powerful! It just defies words...
The song is perfection.
Merry Clayton OWNS THIS. Wholesale. Cash money right there, y'all.
Absofuckinglutely she does!!!
parisbrat Yes, ma’am. Merry’s vocal parts elevated this song from a Stones hit single into absolute rock history.
Absolutely agreed.
Every time, every time I listen, goose bumps.
If she had not been able to make it, then this song would have been a disaster. She made it, It's GOLD!
Merry's voice gives me goosebumps everytime I listen to it, and to hear Mick give his"woop", that's what a musician wants at least once in their career, that is pure emotion coming from her gut, and she got the admiration from the entire band and engineers
I could only imagine how that one night's session felt behind the boards (being an audio engineer for 40 years)
She gave it all. Every single bit of it and its amazing.
"20 Feet from Stardom" is a Doc about back up singers and is worth a watch. It shows the voices behind so many iconic songs
That sounds like a great documentary. Do you have a link?
I saw that a few years ago. It was excellent.
Did not know that.. Will definitely check that out.
@@michaelmisanthrope It used to be on Netflix but it's gone now. You can rent in on TH-cam or Amazon Prime.
@@bossfan49 Thank you very much. You the boss.
I believe this and “Fortunate Son” are the Official Rock Songs of the Vietnam War.
And paint it black
Sympathy for the devil
Run through the jungle
How about Nowhere to Run by Martha and the Vandellas? Or For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield? :-)
@GarthanSaal444 yep
Merry Clayton made this song when she jumped an octave and completely NAILED IT.
I love the reaction you can hear (probably from Jagger) the quick "waouh" telling maybe she was not suppose to sing like that and surprise Jagger, but it was so great that they keep it for the record
there is a hint of chaos in her voice, desperation that matches the lyric. Probably unintended but she struggled being pregnant and the impromptu lateness of the hour. She probably was in a good deal of physical pain and it certainly comes out in her voice...
Ricky Pisano - U said it…👊😆
@@gmb858 Oh bullshit.
Space Ghost Nah he’s right. She ended up losing the baby shortly after cutting this track
Knowing that Merry sang her lines in a house coat and curlers makes it even better.
Merry was the best!
She was pregnant, and had a miscarriage the day after recording this. See "20 Feet from Stardom" for footage and background on the recording session.
@@ediefolta9494 I thought I had heard that somewhere.
Edie Folta a sacrifice to satan?
And pregnant as fuck
Merry Clayton's vocals are LIT. That girl sang like she had an audience with the Good Lord. One of if not thee greatest backing vocals of all time. Blessed that this is recorded for all to hear. Jesus saves.
You can hear Mick do a "YEAH!" when he hears her shriek that note so hard her voice does a loop.
She was magnificent.
I don't recall Jesus being credited on this song. What instrument did he play? Or was he a backup singer?
@@ericminch He is everywhere all the time. Omni present. Look it up.
She still gives me goose bumps whenever I hear her sing that part.
My dad was a crew chief on a medivac Huey in Vietnam .. he never talked about the war when he got home but he loved those videos about his chopper and this song on TH-cam .. RIP old man.. we miss you ..you are young but somehow you are so humble and respectful with this song .. Thank you
That is one of the worst jobs in Vietnam war
My dad was too!!
@chloe kit My dad was also on one and he NEVER talked about it until his deathbed and only to the preacher who came to pray with him
Oh dude, still gives me chills every time I here it. Stones are immortal.
That beautiful voice. This sister was heavily pregnant when she recorded her vocals for this iconic piece. She miscarried soon after. This song is heavy in so many ways, but the back story carries tons of emotional weight. Gets me in my root every time.
I'm not sure about the miscarriage part. I heard her give an interview on NPR about 2-3 years ago with Scott Simon on "Weekend Update" She spoke about being 9 months pregnant during this recording but never mentioned losing the child.
They called the female singer at 3:00Am in the morning to do this song. She was a backup singer from a fairly well-known group. Her agreement to come down to the studio & do the song was probably the most significant thing she ever did to help her own career. Can you imagine what was going through her mind when she received that call?
4 months pregnant and lost her child the following day just a mad and sad story!
You’re so right about the old school lyrics being so poignant & so relatable to today’s world. Unbelievable these songs were written & performed 40-50 years ago😲
When Merry Clayton's voice cracks on her solo, that's one of the greatest moments in rock n' roll history.
Of the amazing aspects of this song, Mick's vocal are easily 4 or fifth in importance. Clearly this song belongs to Merry Clayton, but listen to the base line and percussion. Staggering.
Drums are POUNDING!!
Mary Clayton was one of the most underrated singers ever
But Merry was appreciated 😀
th-cam.com/video/ChONufP0FEs/w-d-xo.html
Underrated? By whom? If she had been more prolific and upfront, rather than backup, she would be HUGE.
I am a girl who's teen and young adult Years were spent in the 60"s and 70's. I have said this to you before that i feel that time was the best years for music. There was an explosion of so many genres coming at you from everywhere. And that was the COOLEST ERA in music. I so enjoy just watching you as you are listening to the best of the best in White Pop culture. I watch the young kids today and I realize they don't have a clue what they are missing. I am so glad that you are on your journey in finding this music, sharing it, and loving it. Welcome to the music i have been rocking out to all my life. Thank you for bringing such joy and expression for the music of my time. Peace out.
This song has one of the greatest openings I`ve heard.
Arguably the very best imho, even though I'm more a Zep head than a Stones fan.
Putting Merry Clayton on this song was one of the best moves the Stones ever made -just incredible power and soul cutting through -Stones were very influenced by the early blues and black soul artists ...as were many British group ...this tune hits it out of the park.
I grew up during the Vietnam War and this is the soundtrack for every tear.
I hear that. I graduated in 1966 and was going to join before I got drafted but was saved by a football scholarship. My friends that went were never the same after that.
Fortunate son intensifies
And I was just a kid in the 80's dealing with family who were still trying fighting their demons from that awful war.
@@spirittammyk so heart breaking, just wow! Boots on the ground, aweful. Makes me want to cry on this Mother's Day for all that lost their sons.
Beautifully stated....so sad.
Shout out to Keith Richards for doing all the guitar work on this song, and his skill and ingenuity as it often doesn't sound like guitars at all.
Uh, Mick Taylor did the long solo in the second half.
@ Taylor did not play on this. All Keith. Guitars, arrangement, composition.
@@ed52369 Which song are we talking about here?
Gimme Shelter
Dude...I'm almost 63 and this song has been a part of my life since I was a kid. Then and now, I don't always pay full attention to the lyrics. Thank you for doing this song with lyrics in the video...I have to admit I was not fully aware of the lyrics. Awesome...thank you!!
Years ago, I watched a Vietnam documentary, and this song was played over soldiers in the field. Now that was powerful. I cannot listen to this song, without those images anymore.
Just a classic Rock n Roll song, possibly the best ever done. Mary Clayton gives the performance of a life time. Jagger said in an interview that he had goose bumps the whole time she was singing her parts. Clayton and Jagger dragging the best from each other, Richards haunting guitar work, Watts & Wyman laying down their usual great percussion and bass work and the over looked piano playing of Nicky Hopkins make this one of the classics.
Of course the best part of this recording was Merry Clayton background vocals. One hell of a gospel singer. Thank you for that editorial on todays music.
@DodgedABullet Stop? Stop what?
Did I say it wasn't?
This song is a classic, its in a lot of movies. Casino, Blow, and just about every Vietnam War movie as this song came out in the Vietnam era.
don't forget Goodfellas
It’s in every Martin Scorsese movie lol.
And Forrest Gump
@@kennethha416 That's when I started to like it. One of my favourite films of all time.
@@dmelvinable yes definetely
The backup vocals on this song are so important. Really strengthens Mick's vocals on such a serious song. Genius.
love how minimal the lyrics are, yet they are able to convey such a strong message. timeless classic!
Your analysis of this song after it was over, was perfect Jamal.
Their best song. You’ve got a great personality.
Thank You🙏🏾
I’ll second that notion. (Emotion)
@@jamelakajamal Just subscribed. Love your feeling for the music you listen to 😀😀
Barbara Hock how about Memory Motel? This one and that one are my favorites for sure.
The Stones have recorded many great songs but this one is their best ever. My all time favorite Stones song.
They were in the middle of a war killing the poorer Americans who had no choice to go or not go. This wasn't a "voluntary" army fighting in Vietnam. This was an army of your number comes up, you have to go unless you can afford college. It was a different time. The music stayed ahead of the curve.
You're absolutely right. Lyrics. Melody. Rhythm. Harmony. And intense, soulful delivery.
Merry Clayton, stunning!! I am a 66 year old female, & this was a crazy time.. I love that you love the music we grew up & fed on. I love to watch you react. Thank u my friend.
Perhaps one of my most favorite Stones songs. I was perhaps 14 years old when that came out, and Veitnam was still going. Yeah it was a powerful song then, and now.
Her voice cracks in the solo she does with a high pitch. They kept Mick Jaggers reaction to it in the studio release. Listen closely dudes and dudettes.
Magic happened when her vocals cracked.
Pretty sure she had a miscarriage after this
Wasn't she later killed by a boyfriend or some such?
Powerful backing vocals. I'd say she overshadowed Mick on this song quite a bit.
@@NefariousKoel No but she got in a car wreck years later. She did not have very good luck
Mick Jagger wasn't in the studio when the vocals were done. She was called by the producers from her sofa to come do those lines and she left.... Took less than an hour.
RIP those ho we're soldiers in the Vietnam war
No auto-tune no second take this was 100% emotion
So completely appropriate for our times. So sad that it is.
A gem from them is "waiting on a friend"
My favorite of all ❤️
Two Micks - the best.
My favorite STONES SONG!!!
Mick saying whoo to Mary Clayton singing at 5:03, knowing she's killin' it.
Please Merry
Always loved that
This song is awsome and Merry Clayton's vocals are quite simply awesome and they make this track the best track of one of the best rock bands of all time IMHO
This is my all time favorite rock song. Merry Clayton's vocals has to be one of the greatest vocal tracks in rock history. Chills...
One of my all-time favourite song intros and my favourite Stones' song by a country mile. Merry Clayton's vocal gives me chills every time - raw, visceral, primal. Gets right under the skin.
The rock music of the sixties was the glue that kept us together amid the assassinations, civil rights, and the war in Vietnam. The music was the sound of a new generation that wanted to change the world. Unfortunately, the message of love, peace, and happiness was lost through the ravages of time. What a pity. Love your reaction to the videos of my time. There is so much music to enjoy. Keep up the good work.
Now kids have rap with cardi b. Sad
Rolling Stones- "Can't you hear me knocking". That song has a good mix of blues and jazz with a classic guitar riff.
Ya Mick Taylor !
Rolling Stones :
- Wild Horses
- Sympathy for The Devil
Sweat Virginia ought to throw him for a loop.
most tracks on Sticky Fingers are among my favourites
I've heard this song for decades, never could understand any of the lyrics...feeling a bit traumatized now
same here.. was born in 71' . heard this song a million times.. never understood a single lyric.. haha.. and they are brutal.. fucking brutal.. and hopeful.
It's a cool thing that there is lyrical exposure. It captures the essence of the turbulent times. The lyrics were always there for the finding. Sheet music, album covers😊
This song is an awesome tribute to Merry Clayton and her voice I mean God her voice gives me chills every time I hear this song. Her passion just blows me away.Thanks Jamal for reacting to this great song and for helping great music stay alive.
Love this song, especially when Merry Clayton comes in !!! Goosebumps
This song has the best intro to a rock song imo, with the possible exception of Led Zep's 'When the Levee Breaks'. They're both spine-tingling stuff.
the female singer was called upon in the middle of the night to do this session she was heavily pregnant. you can listen to her track on youtube it is chilling. merry clayton.
I grew up on rap and hip hop too, bro. I don't know WHAT I'm hearing when I pull up next to some cars nowadays. It's good seeing you experience classic rock the same way I did once I arrived at it too. My time was from 20 years old. Expanding my musical appreciation was a tremendous benefit to the overall enrichment of my life.
A great song!!! Was a few months from finishing my tour in Vietnam when I heard it!! Outstanding!!
This was made during the Vietnam war era. I remember my Uncle playing this. He is a Vietnam veteran. This is my favorite Stones song.
God bless your Uncle.....my bro was a Nam vet as well....thank you to ALL our beloved Vets.....thank you Stones for such a powerful tune. 🇺🇸❤🇬🇧 ✌ to all.
This is my all-time favorite Rolling Stones song. I loved watching you hearing it for the first time, and absolutely love your message at the end. 👍🏻 #OneLove
Sympathy for the Devil would be an obvious follow up
The live version from Hyde park, first concert with Mick Taylor.
Arguably the greatest rock song of all time.
Yeppers
Sympathy for the Devil, Start Me Up, Miss You.
Simply the best rock song ever - rock, blues, a little country, soul. Timeless.
I get chills every time I hear Merry Clayton hit the murder note
Jamel, a big part of the passion and turmoil, was the ongoing war in Nam. EVERY week the TV N ews would roll the names of all the hundred or more young men killed in battle, Imagine how it felt to watch hundreds of names of guys just like us that were killed in their youth slowly scrolling upward on your screen..every week over and over for yea rafter year. Each young man responded in different ways to the draft that saw you as a mere pawn in the chess game of war. Behind the music of this era was an overall sense of rebellion against the war, and more. 'Gimmie Shelter' fit into the times perfectly. I'm speaking from experience....
Robert Accomero, I hope that you have achieved peace within you for the horrors that you experienced during that time. I will never forget being at my next door neighbor's home when the taxi driver arrived with the telegram that their son had been killed in Vietnam. No one from the military came to tell the family My neighbor's son was a helicopter pilot that took his buddy's mission as he had already done his for the day. A sniper shot him through his neck. That telegram is what made the Vietnam War real for me. This song haunting notes tells the story of our world at the time. Robert, thank you for your service.
F
Every year I'd watch that fucking draft lottery, in dread anticipation of turning 18. I lucked out that war ended the year before that happened. Peace to all the GIs.
This song is pretty much in EVERY Martin Scorsese film 😂😂😂
Except his stones concert movie, ironically
@@marty6779 excellent comment.
It's not in Casino.
The song is at the part if Casino where Nicky is trying to knock down a guy but cannot after several attemps
m.th-cam.com/video/scmfWw4fhzo/w-d-xo.html
I didn't know it was,"war, children it's just a shot away". I thought it was, "oooh, children it's just a shout away". Cool Bens that I've been educated by Jamels music reactions
Jamal, love your reviews. You nailed it with this finish - Hip Hop has amazing songs, but the art of the message has become very rare. Then again, you're picking one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time to compare.
It's good ( for me anyway ) that you recognize the good music that came before, and not the crap people have conditioned themselves to listen to today.
What a great way to say a terrible thing. People have conditioned themselves. Sad isnt it? I used the word accepted. Very few people have expanded, gone back on their roots. I started on the Beatles and Stones. They kept mentioning this Chuck Berry guy so I checked him out. Then I had to ask my mom about Little Richard and Bo Diddley, Eddie Cochrane and Carl Perkins. who are these guys? I went back to them. Then back to Robert Johnson and Willie Dixon. I always heard Glenn Miller and big band because my parents loved it. Variety is the spice of.life. yes I have ZZ Top and black sabbath and deep purple but I have the Carpenters the Bee Gees Barry Manilow and CCR and Glenn Miller and Chuck Mangione and john Coltrane and Johnny Cash etc etc etc. Expnd your mind and you'll never be bored.
Mitch must’ve been filling in that night lol. 🤙
JC Mac hahaha
I had to go back and listen again...yep...(Mitch) Jagger
Mitch Mitchell.
Mitch Mitchell.
lol
Charlie Watts,man
Charlie's (always)good tonight.
Merry Claytons section still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The soul in her voice.
I just love you and what you do.
Its awesome I agree !
Vic!! Nice seeing you were here ...best song EVER made
We love what you do too Vic.I hope Jamel checks you out!👍🌴
Do , Paint It Black , next .
Yes!!!
I've been asking forever for that song.
Yeppers
Arrived in Vung Tau and a tall skinny Black Guy was playing Paint It Black LOUD !! on the wharf I thought what the hell Have I got myself into Haha Still I came back safe,
When Paint It Black came out (1966), my mother seemed to really like it. I asked her about it and she said, "When you've lost someone, you know what it feels like."
Please do “Can’t you hear me knocking” ! One of those songs you never hear played and it’s truly one of their best.
Yes! Do this one.
The legendary Mary Clayton on backup, she was 9 mths pregnant when she recorded this :O
Mention music of the Vietnam era to most people of a certain age and this song is either at or near the top of the list. It's in SOOO many movies and works perfectly every single time.
One of the best opening tracks of any album, ever.
The opening for Beggars is pretty solid, too!
@@matthewbergey7153 exile and sticky fingers too
I have to agree
Ill probably always think of helicopters when I hear this song... this and hendrix along the watchtower
I would love for you to react to Angie, Beast of Burden and Miss You. The Rolling Stones have so many amazing songs.
Merry Clayton’s vocals are just powerful and amazing. That voice crack with that murder note it’s perfect. And then jaggers “woo” right after is perfect too.
Merry Clayton... Fantastic voice... The most famous singer you never heard of....
Please watch “20 feet from stardom” on Netflix. Merry Clayton is the background singer on this and SO MANY MORE. It’s about background singers and you’d be amazed at all their talents!!!
Great movie.
One of my favs!!!!
Mary was 8 months pregnant when she got a late-night call requesting her backing vocals on a track by the Rolling Stones. She arrived later that evening at the recording studio wearing a fur coat over her pajamas... not knowing who the Rolling Stones were. She held back a bit during her first run through. When asked to do it again she decided to blow the roof off the building with the second chorus. The rest, as they say, is history.
You nailed the commentary on this.This song always gives me goose bumps. The haunting backup vocals of Merry Clayton compliments Mick's vocals and this song soooo beautifully!!! The lyrics are powerful!
My all time favorite Stones song. So powerful. Her voice gives me chills every time. You are great. Keep on keeping on. I’m a big fan of old school rap and hip hop, too. Completely agree with you. Nothing today compares to the old stuff.
The amazing Merry Clayton on backing vocals. Should look her up - she did a great solo cover of this song.
I love her singing on this, so powerful
It is so friggin cool to see someone hear this for first time and feel exactly what I felt the first time I heard it. ✌️❤️
I have never heard of this channel til I stumbled across it. This is my all time fav Stones song, and watching this hit you in that place that it hits a person has made my day. I saw it in your face man. I feel the same thing every time I listen to it, and have for forty years.
Right on.
I do remember Quang Tri. I was in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Bad memories to this day.
Love and best wishes to you. I was 10 ten when Siagon fell. I remember seeing it on Tv. I knew it was history in the making, but the war had been on my whole life. Not even America, Canada remembers too.
Welcome home brother. RLTW !
Sending prayers to you..,,after reading your commentary.. This is still real for so many.. Much love and blessings 💛🙏🏽
I get chills every time I hear this song. Mick and Merry’s vocals are otherworldly and the lyrics are so real and impactful, even today. One of the best songs ever recorded.
Love everything they laid down here...damn near perfect song and something you can really feel..Mary and Mick complement each other well..