Gimme Shelter
Seeking Refuge from Life's Storms
Lyrics
Ooh, a storm is threatening
A storm is approaching, symbolizing danger or turmoil.
My very life today
The storm poses a threat to the singer's life.
If I don't get some shelter
The need for shelter is emphasized to survive the impending danger.
Ooh yeah I'm gonna fade away
The consequence of not finding shelter is a potential fading away or demise.
War, children
Reference to the impact of war on children.
It's just a shot away
War is described as being dangerously close, just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the proximity of war and its imminent threat.
War, children
Continued emphasis on the closeness of war to children's lives.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the danger being just a shot away for children.
It's just a shot away
Repeat of the idea that the danger is only a shot away for children.
Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Observation of a fire spreading through the streets.
Our streets today
Recognition of the current state of the streets being on fire.
Burns like a red coal carpet
Comparison of the burning streets to a red coal carpet.
Mad bull lost its way
Metaphor for chaos – a mad bull losing its way.
War, children
Reiteration of war's impact on children, with danger just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the danger being just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reemphasis on the immediate threat of war.
War, children
Continued emphasis on the danger being just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the immediacy of the threat of war.
It's just a shot away
Repeat of the idea that the danger is only a shot away.
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away
Introduction of additional societal issues – rape and murder.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the proximity of rape and murder, just a shot away.
Rape, murder, yeah, it's just a shot away
Repeat of the idea that rape and murder are only a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the immediacy of rape and murder being just a shot away.
Rape, murder, it's just a shot away
Repeat of the idea that rape and murder are only a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the proximity of rape and murder, just a shot away.
Mmm, a flood is threatening
A new threat – a flood – is endangering the singer's life.
My very life today
The flood poses a serious threat to the singer's life.
Gimme, gimme shelter
An urgent plea for shelter to avoid fading away due to the flood.
Or I'm gonna fade away
The consequence of not receiving shelter is the potential fading away.
War, children
Reference to war's impact on children, with danger just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the danger being just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reemphasis on the immediate threat of war.
It's just a shot away
Continued emphasis on the danger being just a shot away.
It's just a shot away
Reiteration of the immediacy of the threat of war.
It's just a shot away
Repeat of the idea that the danger is only a shot away.
I tell you love, sister
A shift to a more positive note, suggesting that love is close.
It's just a kiss away
Love is described as being just a kiss away.
It's just a kiss away
Reiteration of the idea that love is just a kiss away.
It's just a kiss away
Repeat of the idea that love is just a kiss away.
It's just a kiss away
Continued emphasis on the proximity of love being just a kiss away.
It's just a kiss away
Reiteration of the idea that love is just a kiss away.
Kiss away, kiss away
Final repetition, underscoring that love can be attained with a kiss.
Comment