Album: Let It Bleed (1969)

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• Did you hear about the midnight rambler
  Everybody got to go
  Did you hear about the midnight rambler
  The one that shut the kitchen door
  He don't give a hoot of warning
  Wrapped up in a black cat cloak
  He don't go in the light of the morning
  He split the time the cock'rel crows
  
  Talkin' about the midnight gambler
  The one you never seen before
  Talkin' about the midnight gambler
  Did you see him jump the garden wall
  Sighin' down the wind so sadly
  Listen and you'll hear him moan
  Talkin' about the midnight gambler
  Everybody got to go
  Yeah
  
  Did you hear about the midnight rambler
  Well, honey, it's no rock 'n' roll show
  Well, I'm talkin' about the midnight gambler
  Yeah, the one you never seen before
  
  (Don't you do that)
  
  Well you heard about the Boston,
  It's not one of those
  Well, talkin' 'bout the midnight, sh,
  The one that closed the bedroom door
  I'm called the hit-and-run raper in anger
  The knife-sharpened tippie-toe...
  Or just the shoot 'em dead, brainbell jangler
  You know, the one you never seen before
  
  So if you ever meet the midnight rambler
  Coming down your marble hall
  Well he's pouncing like a proud black panther
  Well, you can say I, I told you so
  Well, don't you listen for the midnight rambler
  Play it easy, as you go
  I'm gonna smash down all your plate glass windows
  Put a fist, put a fist through your steel-plated door
  
  Did you hear about the midnight rambler
  He'll leave his footprints up and down your hall
  And did you hear about the midnight gambler
  And did you see me make my midnight call
  
  And if you ever catch the midnight rambler
  I'll steal your mistress from under your nose
  I'll go easy with your cold fanged anger
  I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby and it hurts! Writer/s: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
  Publisher: Abkco Music Inc.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 22

• Connecticut Yankee from ConnecticutThis song Live is one of the most kick-ass Rock 'n Roll songs you will ever want to experience. I have heard it numerous times Live, and still think the version they did in 1969 is the best. I have been a die-hard Rolling Stones fan since 1978, and this song is one of my top 5 favorites.
• Roblot from Near BrightonListening to Rambler and All Down the line from the Brussels Affair gig, you're aware of just how hard Charlie drove the band, it's insane the pace he can set while remaining so solid and uncomplicated. One of a kind and sadly missed now. Irreplaceable, as good as Steve Jordan is.
• Mister from MojorisinBluesy as all heck. Love this one... harmonica is kick ass on this song. Just regret they didn't do this one at RFK in DC when they were there in 94'.... Monkey man will have to suffice...
• Dav from Woburn, MaWhile the version on Get Yer Ya-Yas Out showcases some amazing guitar weaving by Keef and Mick Taylor, I gotta say the studio version is immensely better. It is so much darker and scarier (well, not really, but you get the idea) than the live one. The harmonica in the middle of the song is purely haunting.
• Lovelyrita from Pepperland, VtLove the song. One of their best and one of my favorites. Ever noticed around the 3:48 mark of the album version of the song during the "Oh don't do that", someone sounds like they either burped or passed gas and Mick sounds like he asks "did you do that?" Then, he and Keith proceed to laugh. Oh those crazy kids!
• Joe from Adelaide,The lyrics suggest that de salvo was not responsible eg.'u heard bout the boston shh...its not one of those'
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaThe Blues sound in this song is what makes it haunting and the harmonica lends a dark, southern sound. Which is odd because it's about a northeastern serial killer. I liked the sound before I knew what the lyrics were about. There's not too much comment here on what it actually means, which is pretty horrific. In a way it's like a Broadside Ballad, telling a ghastly tale by way of a song. Think of the old ballad, "Pretty Polly"....
• Craig from Melbourne, AustraliaThe Ya-ya's version is great, until you realise it's severely edited. The Brussels Affair version is quite simply the most powerful thing you will ever hear. They did this song in Melbourne in 2003 and i could not beleive the power! I even said to my wife "I cannot believe a band could rock so hard". This song is a musical lesson!
• Steven Cooper from Sheboygan, WiThe Stones when I was in the 11th grade were wonderful. I saw them from 10 rows back in Baltimore. Mick Jagger performed Midnight Rambler, whipping the stage with his thick, silver-studded leather belt. Twas a wonderful performance. It was just days before Let It Bleed, the album containing it was released ....
• Andrew from New York, United StatesLove this one. Capo at the 7th fret and go nuts with blues bass figures followed by open D and A chord forms, pulling off each to their sus2 and 7th forms...great fun to play!
• Rob from Queens, NyI think the best version of Midnight Rambler I've ever heard is off the bootleg album "A Brussels Affair." It's 13 minutes of pure genius.
• Brent S from Salem, OrAbsolutely the best song the Stones ever have done, at least the live version on "Ya-Ya's". I've worn out 3 albums, 5 tapes, and am on my 2nd CD of that album. Amazing and still holds up after all these years. It's too bad that it was cut from the movie, would love to see it.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScIs the version on "Hot Rocks" the same as the one on "Yayas." It must be, because one of you mentioned someone said "...Love Jesus" or "We love Jesus" or something at the beginning of that track. The "love Jesus" bit also appears at the beginning of this song on 'Hot Rocks." Just to be sure though, I'm asking you guys. Is it the same?
• Rob from Glendale, NyMy favorite song ever, this song live
  is even better that on the album "Let it Bleed"
• Lucy from Wellington, New Zealandi went to the rolling stones concert in wellington, new zealand a week ago and this song blew my mind away. it was an amazing concert. midnight rambler was definately one of the stand out songs. they also did a great sympathy for the devil and the whole crowd was going..."woo woo"....before mick even started singing. the last song was satisfaction and i couldnt even hear mick jagger singing because the whole crowd was singing along.
• Homero from Monterrey , MexicoThis was the best song in the Monterrey concert serlist. Jagger do it very good...
• Shaun from Carlisle England, Englandi have a 15 minute bootleg version of rambler and it is quite simply the most frightening bit of music i have heard.The evil that is present is mindblowing. Shaun England.
• Keith from Front Royal, VaThe "Ya-Yas" version of this is the single greatest live recording I've ever heard.
• Emily from Philadelphia, PaGreat song. The audience starts chanting "Mick!" at the beginning of the live version on Hot Rocks; the whole track is filled with the maniacle screaming of fans.
• Rick from Fort Worth, TxAt the beginning of this song on the live album "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out" a girl in the audience shouts "We Love Jesus!"
• Damiano from Sasso Marconi, ItalyThis is my favourite song. After some concerts I finally heard it live the first time in Hartford, CT in 1999 on the B stage and I went crazy! You know, we are talking about a pretty demanding song, and "the guys" are not bubblegummers.... but they shocked me once more! I saw them playing it also in Milan in 2003, another great performance! Beautiful dirty scathing song, extraordinary group, simply the best in the Rock history...
• Eric from Franklin, MaI love this stones song. It's got a lot of dark imagery in it.Made me actually think more of Jack The Ripper than DeSalvo but that could be because of the timing of the song. The killer does this stuff at night so it made me think of The Ripper.

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