The Rolling Stones - "Let It Bleed" (1969)
Let It Bleed is the tenth studio album released by the Rolling Stones in America. Due to some differences in some release differences in their home country of England, it is the eighth album that was released in England. It was released in December of 1969. This was the final album to feature band member, Brian Jones. He was a founding member of the band and played a wide variety of instruments. He died in July of 1969; his death was reported as "death by misadventure." This was a tragic loss for all of the music industry, and has been the topic of many theories of conspiracy. This album features some of The Rolling Stones' most famous songs, including "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want." When discussing the success of The Rolling Stones, this is an album that is sure to be discussed.
1) Gimme Shelter (10/10)
This is possibly the best Rolling Stones song ever. When it was released, it also had great emotional appeal, due to the suffering everyone was feeling because of the Vietnam War. One of the greatest parts of the song is when Merry Clayton sings in the background. She is the standout female voice that sings the powerful lines including "War, Children, it's just a shot away." Her exceptional performance along with the band's stellar job creates one of the best songs in rock and roll history.
2) Love In Vain (9/10)
What comes as a shock to most people is that this song is actually a cover of a blues song from 1937 by Robert Johnson. It is surprising because it seems to fit the Stones' style perfectly. There is a big difference in the arrangements for both versions however. The Rolling Stones added a few new chords here and there and the song had a unique country tone to it. The lyrics are very poignant and their new arrangement made that even more evident.
3) Country Honk (7/10)
This is actually just a country version of the much more famous, "Honky Tonk Women." The version on this album is the original version of the song. They wrote and intended the song to sound the way it does on Let It Bleed. However, a more modern version was created to become a single. I personally prefer "Honky Tonk Women," but "Country Honk" has a very distinct ring to it.
4) Live With Me (8/10)
This song really shows off their influences and their own original characteristics. The song has a definitive blues backbone, along with a number of other traits that only the Rolling Stones could successfully use. A couple of minutes into the song, there is a wonderful saxophone solo. Also, the lyrics seem like they may be a joke about the way Jagger was looked at by the public. Lines like "I got nasty habits, I take tea at three," help to give me this impression.
5) Let It Bleed (9/10)
This is an amusing song that allows Mick Jagger to really show off his personality. Its loud and rambunctious attitude is at a level only The Rolling Stones can reach, and it is awesome. Everything just comes together in a way that is somewhat stupefying. In order to understand what I am trying to say, you really have to just listen to it. You can listen to it on YouTube by clicking here.
6) Midnight Rambler (9/10)
This is another song that is filled with the blues. This is a result of the constant harmonica jamming in the background. This song mostly shows off how talented Mick Jagger really is. It has been said that this song is actually about The Boston Strangler, who murdered many women in the early 1960s. If you read the lyrics, the resemblance between the "Midnight Rambler" and The Boston Strangler is very obvious.
7) You Got The Silver (7/10)
This is the first time that Keith Richards held the role of the lead vocalist on a song by the Stones. Both Jagger and Richards recorded a version of the song, but the band eventually decided on Richards' version. This is partly because it is Keith's own composition. It is also the last song to ever feature Brian Jones, who plays the autoharp on this song. This is a song with the intentions of just pure entertainment.
8) Monkey Man (8/10)
2) Love In Vain (9/10)
What comes as a shock to most people is that this song is actually a cover of a blues song from 1937 by Robert Johnson. It is surprising because it seems to fit the Stones' style perfectly. There is a big difference in the arrangements for both versions however. The Rolling Stones added a few new chords here and there and the song had a unique country tone to it. The lyrics are very poignant and their new arrangement made that even more evident.
3) Country Honk (7/10)
This is actually just a country version of the much more famous, "Honky Tonk Women." The version on this album is the original version of the song. They wrote and intended the song to sound the way it does on Let It Bleed. However, a more modern version was created to become a single. I personally prefer "Honky Tonk Women," but "Country Honk" has a very distinct ring to it.
4) Live With Me (8/10)
This song really shows off their influences and their own original characteristics. The song has a definitive blues backbone, along with a number of other traits that only the Rolling Stones could successfully use. A couple of minutes into the song, there is a wonderful saxophone solo. Also, the lyrics seem like they may be a joke about the way Jagger was looked at by the public. Lines like "I got nasty habits, I take tea at three," help to give me this impression.
5) Let It Bleed (9/10)
This is an amusing song that allows Mick Jagger to really show off his personality. Its loud and rambunctious attitude is at a level only The Rolling Stones can reach, and it is awesome. Everything just comes together in a way that is somewhat stupefying. In order to understand what I am trying to say, you really have to just listen to it. You can listen to it on YouTube by clicking here.
6) Midnight Rambler (9/10)
This is another song that is filled with the blues. This is a result of the constant harmonica jamming in the background. This song mostly shows off how talented Mick Jagger really is. It has been said that this song is actually about The Boston Strangler, who murdered many women in the early 1960s. If you read the lyrics, the resemblance between the "Midnight Rambler" and The Boston Strangler is very obvious.
7) You Got The Silver (7/10)
This is the first time that Keith Richards held the role of the lead vocalist on a song by the Stones. Both Jagger and Richards recorded a version of the song, but the band eventually decided on Richards' version. This is partly because it is Keith's own composition. It is also the last song to ever feature Brian Jones, who plays the autoharp on this song. This is a song with the intentions of just pure entertainment.
8) Monkey Man (8/10)
This song has an great guitar part played by Keith Richards. It's not that it is such a complex part; the simplicity of it is what makes it so thrilling. Mick Jagger also sings some very strange lyrics, including "Yes, I'm a sack of broken eggs, I always have an unmade bed, Don't you?" Nevertheless, it is a fantastic addition to this outstanding album.
9) You Can't Always Get What You Want (11/10)
Words can't really describe how good this song is, but I'll do my best to give it proper justice. It represents the 1960s generation in a really smart way. The three major themes of the sixties were drugs, love, and politics. The first part of the lyrics is about love, the second part is about politics, and the last is about drugs. This is all on top of the band playing a song that has a groove to it that is hard to match. They even featured a the London Bach Choir and an orchestra on the song. Mick Jagger said "The orchestra was not just to cover everything up. It was something extra. The Stones were working on this song since they were working on their last album, Beggars Banquet. And yes, "it goes to eleven!"
I hope you are all inspired to go and listen to Let It Bleed now. I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. It was an album that helped define a generation, and end it. It was the last Rolling Stones album of the 1960s. Rolling Stone Magazine rated Let It Bleed as the 32nd best album of all time. From the lethal guitar on "Monkey Man" to the ferocious blues on "Midnight Rambler" to the incredible symbolism on "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want," this is the best album by The Rolling Stones.
Listen to Let it Bleed on Spotify!
Listen to Let it Bleed on Spotify!
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