Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
Rolling Stones songs: Shine a Light
When you’re drunk in the alley, baby, with your clothes all torn/ And your late night friends, they leave you in the cold gray dawn…
Also known as: Get A Line On You Written by: Jagger/Richard Recorded: Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, July 23 1970; Rolling Stones Mobile, Nellcote, France, July-Oct.-Nov. 1971; Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles, USA, Dec. 1971-March 1972; RCA Studios, Los Angeles, USA, March 1972 Guest musicians: Billy Preston (piano and organ), Clydie King, Joe Green, Vanetta Fields and Jesse Kirkland (backing vocals), Jimmy Miller (drums) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni Mick Jagger began working on Shine a Light (originally titled Get A Line On You) in early 1968, but not released until 1972 in the Exile On Main St. album, during a period when Brian Jones was still an integral part of The Rolling Stones. The song is laden with poignant references to Jones, painting a vivid and bittersweet portrait of his life and struggles. Lines like “With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye”, or “Berber jewelry jangling down the street” evoke Jones’s unique presence and bohemian style, while “Drunk in the alley, baby, with your clothes all torn” alludes to the darker aspects of his downward spiral.
At its core, Shine a Light is Jagger’s heartfelt lament for the decline of the bandmate who was once the creative soul of the Stones. The lyrics convey a mix of sorrow and hope, as Jagger appeals to a higher power for mercy and comfort for his troubled friend. The line “May the Good Lord shine a light on you/Warm like the evening sun,” transforms the song into a tender plea for grace and peace, immortalizing Jones in a moving and spiritual tribute.
This tribute to Brian Jones, recorded in the absence of Keith Richards and Charlie Watts, radiates a deep gospel passion. “When I was very friendly with Billy Preston in the ’70s I sometimes used to go to church with him in Los Angeles,” Jagger remembers. “It was an interesting experience because we don’t have a lot of churches like that in England. I hadn’t had a lot of first hand experience of it.”
More about the song from Mick (from an interview with The Sun newspaper in 2010): “It was quite an early one from Olympic Studios London, with Billy Preston. Once it was finished, we never played it on stage for years and years. Then it became this favorite after we recorded it for the Stripped album. So Shine A Light was this funny thing that started off as something you did once at that time and never went back to.”
Shine a Light is also the title of the 2008 concert film directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, capturing two unforgettable performances by The Rolling Stones at the Beacon Theatre in New York City in 2006. The film offers an intimate look at the band’s electrifying stage presence and enduring charisma, blending dynamic concert footage with behind-the-scenes moments.
Adding to the magic, the film features memorable guest appearances from music icons Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilera, and Jack White, each bringing their unique energy to the stage. From Aguilera’s sultry duet with Mick Jagger on Live with Me to Guy’s bluesy collaboration on Champagne & Reefer (which the Stones never recorded) these performances highlight the Stones’ ability to connect with artists across genres and generations.
Scorsese’s masterful direction and the film’s rich cinematography made the movie more than just a concert documentary—it’s a celebration of the Stones’ unparalleled legacy and their deep connection with their audience, solidifying their place as one of the greatest live acts in rock history.
Like what you see? Help keep it going! This site runs on the support of readers like you. Your donation helps cover costs and keeps fresh Rolling Stones content coming your way every day. Thank you!
