Give me shelter is an iconic song of the 1960s. I was created at a time when Rock and Roll was losing its cheesy white kid in a formal suit image and was developing a grungier more primal blues tone. Mick Jagger was one of the guys at the forefront of this movement - as were guitarists like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards - singers like Janis Joplin or Robert Plant - lest we forget Jimi Hendrix.
This song was recorded at a time when there was money in music - lots of it - so production value was incredibly high - form definitely trumped fashion. Its not very complicated - though Keith Richards brilliantly composed most of the instrumentation - Jagger as co-writter brought and edginess and sexuality many people found uncomfortable.
What makes Give Me Shelter different - is not the lyrics or the epic guitar work - its one little part of the song that many people overlook when they hear it shopping at their local walmart.
A woman named Merry Clayton who by my estimation was one of the best vocalists of the era - was invited to sing on the chorus. The chorus is what absolutely makes the song haunting and memorable. Most of us who know the song simply humm along - but the lyrics are "Rape! Murder! It's just a shot away!"
The cultural significance of this song is so strong breaking down the musical elements seem almost pointless. This was a song about unrest - a song about civil rights featuring a black singer! A harsh critique on the Vietnam war. A shelter from storm. The song is angry and driven - absolutely relatable and still incredibly relevant.
Give me shelter:
Merry Clayton Singing James Taylor's "Steemroller":
