Shine A Light by The Rolling Stones

Album: Exile on Main St. (1972)

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Mick Jagger originally wrote the lyrics for Stones guitarist Brian Jones in 1968. The original lyrics were about Jones' drug addiction which was slowly detaching him from the rest of the band, and the song was called "Get A Line On You," but it was never released. After Jones' death, Jagger rewrote some of the lyrics and it was released in 1972 as "Shine A Light." >>
Suggestion credit:
Jake - Toronto, Canada
Venetta Field (incorrectly credited on the album as "Vanetta") sang backup on this. She is an R&B singer who also worked with B. B. King, Al Kooper, Billy Preston, Joe Cocker, Pink Floyd, and Blondie Chaplin.
Billy Preston played piano and organ on this track. Preston was a frequent guest musician for both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. >>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2
Shine A Light is the name of the 2008 Martin Scorsese concert film documenting 2 shows The Rolling Stones played in New York shows in 2006. Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilera and Jack White all appear in the film. >>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
In an interview with The Sun newspaper May 21, 2010, Mick Jagger chose this as his favorite Exile song. He explained: "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."

Comments: 11

Anonymous from PutziI just need to replay to "Elmo Lewis". Really mate, not only your theory is wrong but is beginning to grate on just about anyone. There was no campaign to out Brian.
All he had to do was to make an effort but unfortunately he wasn't capable
Sad but true.
All the rest is buls--t.
Elmo LewisIn addition to his drug use (and as a contributor to its genesis), Brian's detachment from the Stones was driven by the deliberate campaign of Andrew Oldham, Mick and Keith to marginalize him as a musical and business contributor to the band beginning in 1964 or so. By the time this song was written in 1968 that campaign had succeeded admirably.
AnonymousGreat song, great jam, fun times all around
AnonymousBest song on album,builds up to trademark stones climax,more powerful than Let it be !
Rosario from Naples, FlLOVE this song. it's not as good as "Let It Be," though.
Patrick from Greenville, Sc"stripped" version is THE version to me. great song
Craig from Melbourne, AustraliaA superb song from the best album ever. Every thing about this song is A-1.

Upcoming Martin Scorsese doco on the Stones is called "Shine a light".

Vanetta Fields (back up singer) came to Australia as part of Boz Scaggs band in 1977/8. She loved the place so much she immigrated here. She was long time back up singer for Australia's top selling male artist, John Farnham.
Lars from Sindelfingen, GermanyIt sounds familiar to Let it be because Billy Preston plays organ on both songs. He made the songs sound special.
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaIs this the song that was compared to "Let it Be"? They sound the same, kind of. This is a great song, worthy of that comparison.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI like this one. It has a sort of spiritual or Gospel feel to it.
Joshua from Twin Cities, MnA live acoustic version of this song appears on the Stones' 1995 album "Stripped".

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