Midnight Rambler is the Rolling Stones, particularly Mick and Keith, showing exactly how much they loved and were influenced by American blues. Both lyrically and musically, this song reflects the evolution of the blues from Mississippi to Chicago to across the pond...even if they did write this song in Positano, Italy. Bastards.
It starts off like a train from the South, classic blues riff and lonesome harmonica, ready to embrace the city and the late night Chicago blues scene. Mick sings about a killer, the one you never seen before. You won't see him until it's too late. He prowls the streets at night, hunting for blood. At around 1:30 the tempo increases into a short verse that stresses the reality of the danger...Well, honey, it's no rock 'n' roll show. The is seriously bad, you do not want to meet this guy. You need to be home, not out in the urban jungle.
The tempo really builds after 2:25, when the killer sees a potential victim and his heart beats faster with excitement. The slide guitar and harmonica ride along side by side, as Mick implores 'don't you do that' over and over, either his feeble conscience trying helplessly to get him to stop, or willing his victim not to go a certain way. At 3:57 he is getting ready to strike, waiting for the right moment. Time stands still. I love Keith's guitar from 4:07 - 4:26, this hold your breath section, walking the razor's edge. Mick at 4:27 - Well you heard about the Boston...(whomp!), It's not one of those...(whomp!). 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.
The deed is done and the killer must temporarily confront his own horror and self-loathing before the music starts to pick up again at 6:10. His twisted braggadocio has won out and sends him striding off to ponder the next cycle. Don't try to catch him, for if you do...I'll stick my knife right down your throat, baby and it hurts!
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