Shine A Light

Album: Exile on Main St. (1972)
Play Video
  • Saw you stretched out in Room ten oh nine
    With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye
    Whoa, come see to get a line on you, my sweet honey love
    Berber jewelry jangling down the street
    Making bloodshot eyes at every woman that you meet
    Could not seem to get high on you, my sweet honey love

    May the good Lord shine a light on you
    Make every song (you sing) your favorite tune
    May the good Lord shine a light on you
    Warm like the evening sun

    When you're drunk in the elevator, with your clothes all torn
    When your late night friends leave you in the cold gray dawn
    Just seen too many flies on you, I just can't brush them off

    Angels beating all their wings in time
    With smiles on their faces and a gleam right in their eyes
    Whoa, thought I heard one sigh for you
    Come on up, come on up, now, come on up now

    May the good Lord shine a light on you, yeah
    Make every song you sing your favorite tune
    May the good Lord shine a light on you, yeah
    Warm like the evening sun

    Come on up now, come on up now, come on up now, come on up, come on

    May the good Lord shine a light on you
    Make every song you sing your favorite tune
    May the good Lord shine a light on you
    Warm like the evening sun, yeah, yeah Writer/s: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
    Publisher: Abkco Music Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.