Let It Bleed cover art

  Studio Album · No. 12

Let It Bleed Songwriting Credits by The Rolling Stones

1969 Decca Records / London Records 9 tracks 42 min

Produced by Jimmy Miller  ·  Engineered by Glyn Johns

Decca Records / London Records Hard RockBlues RockCountry Blues
89%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 8 of 9 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 8 / 9 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Rolling Stones carries a lyricist or composer credit.

89%
8 trackswritten by The Rolling Stones 1 trackoutside writers
The Rolling Stones's roles on this album

Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist89%
Composer89%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

9
Tracks
3
Lyricists
1
Producers
1969
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Grammy Hall of Fame (2005, Inducted)
Data Insight

All songs are Jagger/Richards originals, again produced by Jimmy Miller, and the album captures the band mid-transition as Brian Jones gives way to Mick Taylor. Jones appears on only two tracks before his departure and death, while Taylor debuts on two, making this a hinge point in the lineup. The writing spans hard rock, blues, and country blues, with 'Gimme Shelter' featuring guest vocalist Merry Clayton and 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' opening with the London Bach Choir. The non-album single 'Honky Tonk Women' came from the same sessions but was kept off the tracklist.

Released December 5, 1969, Let It Bleed was largely recorded as Brian Jones was being phased out of the band (he died in July 1969) and Mick Taylor was brought in. Guest contributors include Ry Cooder, Nicky Hopkins, and the London Bach Choir. The album includes 'Gimme Shelter,' 'You Can't Always Get What You Want,' and 'Midnight Rambler.'

Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Gimme Shelter
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
2
Love in Vain
Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
3
Country Honk
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
4
Live with Me
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
5
Let It Bleed
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
6
Midnight Rambler
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
7
You Got the Silver
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
8
Monkey Man
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)
9
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Mick JaggerKeith Richards Michael Philip JaggerKeith Richards Jimmy Miller Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 6 contributors

KR
Keith Richards
Writer
On this album8 written
MP
Michael Philip Jagger
Writer
On this album8 written
MJ
Mick Jagger
Writer · Vocals
On this album8 written
RJ
Robert Johnson
Writer
On this album1 written
RL
Robert Leroy Johnson
Writer
On this album1 written
JM
Jimmy Miller
Producer
On this album9 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Let It Bleed

Who wrote the songs on Let It Bleed?
All of the songs were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The album sits in the band's all-originals era and spans hard rock, blues, and country blues.
Who produced Let It Bleed?
Jimmy Miller produced the album, continuing the partnership he began on Beggars Banquet. Glyn Johns handled much of the recording engineering at Olympic Studios in London.
Why is Let It Bleed a transitional album for the band?
It documents the shift from Brian Jones to Mick Taylor. Jones, who soon left the band and died in 1969, appears on only two tracks, while Taylor makes his debut on two others, marking the start of a new lineup.
Who sings on Gimme Shelter?
'Gimme Shelter' features guest vocalist Merry Clayton, whose searing backing vocal is one of the song's defining elements. It opens the album and is among the band's most acclaimed recordings.
Who sings the choir part on You Can't Always Get What You Want?
The London Bach Choir sings the opening chorale on 'You Can't Always Get What You Want.' The choir later distanced itself from the contribution because of the album's themes.
Was Honky Tonk Women on Let It Bleed?
No. 'Honky Tonk Women' was recorded during the same sessions but was released as a standalone single in July 1969 and kept off the album. A country-styled version titled 'Country Honk' does appear on Let It Bleed.
Is Let It Bleed in the Grammy Hall of Fame?
Yes. Let It Bleed was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005. The album was also certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA and topped the UK Albums Chart.

Sources

Wikipedia: Let It Bleed Wikipedia: Gimme Shelter MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones