I heard Gimme Shelter (by the Rolling Stones) this morning and I have no doubt that it is one of the best rock songs of all time.
Possibly top 20.

Agree or disagree?

The Rolling Stones - "Gimme Shelter" [192 kbps MP3 file] (http://home.comcast.net/~aka909walrus/shelter.mp3) - from Let It Bleed; 1969
The Rolling Stones - "You Can't Aways Get What You Want" [192 kbps MP3 file] (http://home.comcast.net/~aka909walrus/cantalways.mp3) - from Let It Bleed; 1969

At the time "Gimme Shelter " was recorded, the Stones were on a roll. The song itself is the leadoff track from the second of four stellar studio albums released by them in a row (Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile On Main Street).

I agree with you. It's definitely one of the best songs of all time. It's just... powerful.

Sure, agree. It has that dramatic intro. The backbeat and rhythm are chillingly exciting, plus somehow unique from just about anything else I've ever heard. Mick's singing sounds heartfelt and about as rock&roll pro as you can get. The backup singing adds a great touch...on and on, so on and so forth. Gimme Shelter is one of rock musics greatest and most tremendous arrangements.

Another thing worth mentioning is that it appeals not only to rock fans, but to country & western fans, and certainly blues fans as well. Lot's of music fans in general can get into Gimme Shelter. I remember as a kid that even though my dad was a dyed-in-the-wool country fan he really liked Gimme Shelter and some of the creations by the Rolling Stone's.

Also worth checking out is the 1970 film named after the song. It chronicles the Stones' 1969 U.S. tour and ends with the chilling events at Altamont Speedway.

When one hears a live rendition of "Gimme Shelter" over the ending credits for the first time, the song takes on new meaning.

Let's not forget Keith Richards' great guitar playing on that song.

Gimme Shelter is definately my favorite 60's Stones song alongside Paint It Black. I admit tho (and it's unpopular) that 1976-1981 is my fave era of theirs, I consider Black And Blue incredibly underrated.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Gimme Shelter is definately my favorite 60's Stones song alongside Paint It Black. I admit tho (and it's unpopular) that 1976-1981 is my fave era of theirs, I consider Black And Blue incredibly underrated. Actually, I agree with you on Black And Blue. I love that album. "Memory Motel" is one of my favorite Stones songs.

I don't think that '76-'81 is their best period (although it's certainly better than everything that followed. Emotional Rescue, quite frankly, just isn't that good.

Oh I agree! This has to be one of my favorite Stones songs. I really got to like it when I saw them do it live on their HBO special last year.

Originally posted by AKA
Actually, I agree with you on Black And Blue. I love that album. "Memory Motel" is one of my favorite Stones songs.

I don't think that '76-'81 is their best period (although it's certainly better than everything that followed. Emotional Rescue, quite frankly, just isn't that good.

Emotional Rescue is VERY pale next to the albums that bookend it, Some Girls and Tattoo You, but I do think about half of the album was excellent.

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Emotional Rescue is VERY pale next to the albums that bookend it, Some Girls and Tattoo You, but I do think about half of the album was excellent. True. "She's So Cold" could compete with any song on Some Girls and Tattoo You, and as much as I don't want to admit it, I really like "Dance Pt. 1."

Originally posted by AKA
True. "She's So Cold" could compete with any song on Some Girls and Tattoo You, and as much as I don't want to admit it, I really like "Dance Pt. 1."

yep, in terms of a "disco song", Dance Pt. 1 was actually better than Miss You, tho I think all around Miss You was the better tune.

"Gimmie Shelter" is certainly one of the Stones's twenty best songs ever, but it would be in competition for one of the twenty best rock songs ever against the Stones's own "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and anything from Beggar's Banquet. :)