Midnight Rambler

The Rolling Stones

About Midnight Rambler

"Midnight Rambler" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on their 1969 album Let It Bleed. The song is a loose biography of Albert DeSalvo, who confessed to being the Boston Strangler. Keith Richards has called the number "a blues opera" and the quintessential Jagger-Richards song, stating in the 2012 documentary Crossfire Hurricane that "nobody else could have written that song."


Year:
1969
6:52
204 
#2

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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!

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The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Band History
"Midnight Rambler" is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones.
Album Origin
The track is originally from their 1969 album "Let It Bleed."
Live Performances
It is a key feature in their concert repertoire, frequently played on their tours.
Song Inspiration
The lyrics were partly inspired by the Boston Strangler, a serial killer who was active in Boston, Massachusetts, in the early 1960s.
Blues Influence
"Midnight Rambler" shows the strong blues influence that was prevalent in much of The Rolling Stones work, especially their earlier music.
Notable Performances
It was performed during the band's appearance at the Altamont Free Concert in December 1969.
Length
The studio version is almost seven minutes long, while live versions can often extend to twelve minutes.
Signature Track
The song is noted for its distinctive rhythmic feel that can be described as "a slow blues tempo swathed in murky ambiances."
Song Credits
The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Studio Version
The studio version features Mick Jagger on lead vocals and harmonica, Keith Richards and Mick Taylor on electric guitars, Bill Wyman on bass, and Charlie Watts on drums.
Concert Showstopper
During live performances, Mick Jagger often uses a belt as a prop while performing the song, whipping the stage in sync with the song's tempo to create an unforgettable stage spectacle.
Cover Art
The "Let It Bleed" album cover was designed by Robert Brownjohn, who used the image of a cake - which was baked by a then-unknown Delia Smith - overlaid with a pizza, a metal clock face, a tyre and other objects.
Harmonica Use
"Midnight Rambler" has a significant harmonica part played by Mick Jagger, showcasing his skills as a harmonica player.
'Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out' Version
A noticeably faster version of "Midnight Rambler" was recorded for and included on the 1970 live album "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out”.

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