The Rolling Stones | Gimme Shelter

Keith Richards and Mick Jagger wrote Gimme Shelter during a turbulent time in the late 1960s. The song was born out of a sense of global and personal chaos. Richards came up with the haunting opening riff while alone at home during a storm, with his partner Anita Pallenberg away filming. The mood of the weather and personal tension helped shape the dark, urgent tone of the song.
The lyrics heavily influenced the Vietnam War, political unrest, and societal upheaval. Mick Jagger added powerful lines reflecting the violence and fear of the era, making “Gimme Shelter” a raw and emotional response to the world around them.
The track was later brought to life by a chilling vocal performance from Merry Clayton, whose impromptu late-night recording added unforgettable intensity to the song. Together, these elements created a rock masterpiece that captured the spirit of a generation in crisis.