Piano Lessons

This week irocku offers a somewhat lessor known tune from our legendary heroes, The Rolling Stones. Originally penned by Mick Jagger in 1968 under the title, "Get a Line on You,", the song’s lyrics were revised in 1971 when it was recorded with the new title, "Shine a Light". Read more »

It was subsequently released on the double album, Exile on Main St. in 1972. The song, according to Jagger, is about Brian Jones and his increasingly problematic drug use and disconnect from the band in 1968. The Stones at this time had acquired a notorious reputation as 'rock and roll pirates' with huge appetites for both women and drugs. When "Shine a Light" was recorded it was without Keith Richards; Brian Jones was dead, Jimmy Miller filled in on drums and new guitarist, Mick Taylor played both guitar and bass, with Jagger on lead vocals. The song’s gospel influence is accented by the organ and keyboard tracks laid down by legendary piano-man, Billy Preston. Ironically, when Exile on Main St. was released in 1972 it was greeted with somewhat mixed reviews, but is now generally regarded as a masterpiece, and included The Stones’, classics "Tumbling Dice" and "All Down the Line". The songs recorded between 1968 and 1972 were representative of the band’s traditional sound rooted deeply in American blues and the band’s struggle to maintain it’s originality in an oversaturated commercial rock and roll market. The Rolling Stones would reinvent themselves numerous times over the next 4 decades, but in 1972 they were clearly masters of their craft and well on their way to becoming the greatest rock and roll band of all-time.

"Shine a Light" is a gospel rock song. Brush up on your C blues scale and use lots of IV chord to I chord transitions to bring out the feel of the song.

Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Published by ABKCO Music, Inc.
All Rights Reserved   Used by Permission

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