36: LET IT BLEED | THE ROLLING STONES
Let It Bleed is a classic album by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1969. It is widely regarded as one of their best albums, and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. The album showcases the band’s diverse musical influences, from hard rock and blues to country and gospel. It also reflects the turbulent social and political climate of the late 1960s, with songs that deal with themes such as violence, sex, drugs, death, and disillusionment.
The album was recorded during a period of transition for the band, as they fired their original leader and founder Brian Jones, who was suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues. Jones only played on two songs on the album, and died shortly after his dismissal. He was replaced by Mick Taylor, a young and talented guitarist who would become an integral part of the band’s sound in the 1970s. Taylor also played on two songs on the album, while Keith Richards handled most of the guitar parts on the rest of the tracks.
Let it Bleed opens with “Gimme Shelter”, a haunting and powerful song that features the vocals of Merry Clayton, a soul singer who was brought in at the last minute to sing the chorus. The song is about the impending doom of a nuclear war, and the need for shelter and protection. The song has been described as “the greatest rock ‘n’ roll record ever made” by some critics1.
The next song is “Love in Vain”, a cover of a blues song by Robert Johnson, one of the band’s main influences. The song is a melancholic ballad about unrequited love, with a slide guitar solo by Mick Taylor. The song was originally credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, but later changed to Johnson after a lawsuit by his estate2.
“Country Honk” is a country version of the band’s hit single “Honky Tonk Women”, which was released earlier in 1969. The song features fiddle, acoustic guitar, and honky tonk piano, and tells the story of a womanizer who travels around the country looking for love. The song was inspired by the band’s tour of America in 19683.
“Live with Me” is a hard rock song that features saxophone by Bobby Keys and bass by Bill Wyman. The song is about a decadent and hedonistic lifestyle, with lyrics that imply drug use and group sex. The song was controversial at the time, and was banned by some radio stations4.
“Let It Bleed” is the title track of the album, and a bluesy rock song that features piano by Ian Stewart and autoharp by Brian Jones. The song is about coping with life’s hardships and troubles, with lyrics that suggest drug use and sexual innuendo. The song also contains references to other songs on the album, such as “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.
“Midnight Rambler” is a long and complex song that features harmonica by Mick Jagger and slide guitar by Keith Richards. The song is based on the story of Albert DeSalvo, also known as the Boston Strangler, who confessed to killing 13 women in the early 1960s. The song has a dark and menacing tone, with lyrics that describe the killer’s actions and motives. The song also changes tempo several times, creating a sense of tension and suspense.
“You Got the Silver” is a country blues song that features Keith Richards on lead vocals for the first time on a Rolling Stones album. The song is a tender love song, with lyrics that express gratitude and devotion to a partner. The song also features acoustic guitar by Richards and slide guitar by Brian Jones.
“Monkey Man” is a funky rock song that features piano by Nicky Hopkins and organ by Billy Preston. The song is about being an outsider and a misfit in society, with lyrics that compare oneself to a monkey. The song also contains references to drugs and pop culture, such as Tarzan and King Kong.
The album closes with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, an epic and ambitious song that features choir vocals by the London Bach Choir, French horn by Al Kooper, and acoustic guitar by Mick Taylor. The song is about accepting life’s limitations and compromises, with lyrics that contrast different desires and realities. The song also has a philosophical message, that sometimes one gets what one needs instead of what one wants.