When Merry Clayton hits that muder note. One of the most powerful and meaningful sounds I have ever heard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Absolutely electrifying. Brilliant musicianship. Chilling lyrics. Transcendent vocals. Perfection.

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.

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.

Merry Clayton OWNS THIS. Wholesale. Cash money right there, y'all.

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.

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!

I believe this and “Fortunate Son” are the Official Rock Songs of the Vietnam War.

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.

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)

"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

She still gives me goose bumps whenever I hear her sing that part.

Merry Clayton made this song when she jumped an octave and completely NAILED IT.

Oh dude, still gives me chills every time I here it. Stones are immortal.

When Merry Clayton's voice cracks on her solo, that's one of the greatest moments in rock n' roll history.

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😲

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!

Merry's voice in this song was one the most amazing vibrations in ALL of music and it sends a chill in my body from head to toe.

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 KZfaq .. RIP old man.. we miss you ..you are young but somehow you are so humble and respectful with this song .. 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.

Knowing that Merry sang her lines in a house coat and curlers makes it even better.

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?

This song has one of the greatest openings I`ve heard.

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.

That girls voice cracking when she’s really belting it give me instant chills every time! Iconic song.

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.

love how minimal the lyrics are, yet they are able to convey such a strong message. timeless classic!

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.

Sympathy for the Devil would be an obvious follow up

I think Scorcese must be contractually obligated to put Gimme Shelter in all his movies.

The Stones have recorded many great songs but this one is their best ever. My all time favorite Stones song.

No auto-tune no second take this was 100% emotion

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.

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.

Your analysis of this song after it was over, was perfect Jamal.

This is the most powerful song and my favorite. I don’t want to get deep, but was my life. Thank you 🙏🏻

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.

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.

You're absolutely right. Lyrics. Melody. Rhythm. Harmony. And intense, soulful delivery.

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...

The backup vocals on this song are so important. Really strengthens Mick's vocals on such a serious song. Genius.

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!!

A great song!!! Was a few months from finishing my tour in Vietnam when I heard it!! Outstanding!!

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.

Mary Clayton's solo brings tears to my eyes every damn time.

Mary Clayton was one of the most underrated singers ever

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.

So completely appropriate for our times. So sad that it is.

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.

I grew up during the Vietnam War and this is the soundtrack for every tear.

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.

Simply the best rock song ever - rock, blues, a little country, soul. Timeless.

Mick saying whoo to Mary Clayton singing at 5:03, knowing she's killin' it.

"Can You Hear Me Knocking" is another good one, not quite as well known

I get chills every time I hear Merry Clayton hit the murder note

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

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.

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.

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

I've heard this song for decades, never could understand any of the lyrics...feeling a bit traumatized now

RIP those ho we're soldiers in the Vietnam war

Love this song, especially when Merry Clayton comes in !!! Goosebumps

Merry Claytons section still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The soul in her voice.

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.

This song is as relevant today as it was back then.

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

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.

I just love you and what you do.

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.

Their best song. You’ve got a great personality.

Love everything they laid down here...damn near perfect song and something you can really feel..Mary and Mick complement each other well..

YESSSSS this song reminded me of great gig in the sky too. My dad played stones and pink Floyd all the time and I never knew why those two were my favorite until I grew up.

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.

A gem from them is "waiting on a friend"

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. ✌️❤️

The Rolling Stones are an epic band and this song is perfection! It takes me back all the way to the Vietnam War era! Mick Jagger is very charismatic and very soulful! I’d love to see the Stones in concert! From the sixties through the eighties, music dealt with a lot of social issues from War to Famine to Reaganomics, etc! That is missing in today’s music, no social awareness!!❤️❤️

Rolling Stones- "Can't you hear me knocking". That song has a good mix of blues and jazz with a classic guitar riff.

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.

My favorite song they do of all time....I never get tired of this song....Pure Awesome...Timeless Music...

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!

Ill probably always think of helicopters when I hear this song... this and hendrix along the watchtower

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rolling Stones : - Wild Horses - Sympathy for The Devil

One of the best opening tracks of any album, ever.

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.

Mitch must’ve been filling in that night lol. 🤙

I would love for you to react to Angie, Beast of Burden and Miss You. The Rolling Stones have so many amazing songs.

It`s just so great, so beautiful to watch a young man discover this depth. I still hear and feeeel what I did when I first heard it (I`m 68) and here we are in `23 and for Brother Jamel Gimme Shelter is coming in loud and clear on all 8. Fantastic.

Mick's harmonica is so great on this track, especially when you realize that he's only playing two notes.

One of my favs!!!!

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....

This is one of those great Vietnam war era tracks. The recording was laboriously pieced together from many takes by mick jagger. And the thing that makes the track so enduring? Charlie Watts’s great backbeat, still funky after all these years

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.