One song isn't going to ever change things, but I suppose it's the accumulation of music generally [that is]. If you can imagine a world that has no music in it, it would be a very different world, so music does change the world by virtue of all the music in it. Cumulative music of every kind, from banging a drum to playing a flute or recording symphonies, or singing 'War, what is it good for?' All those things change the whole way we live.
Polarization affects families and groups of friends. Its a paralyzing situation. A civil war of opinion.
When Gimme Shelter was recorded, early '69 or something, it was a time of war and tension, so that's reflected in this tune. It's still wheeled out when big storms happen, as they did the other week. It's been used a lot to evoke natural disaster.
Patriotism is an instant reaction that fades away when the war starts.
![One song isn't going to ever change things, but I suppose it's the accumulation of music generally [that is]. If you can imagine a world that has no music in it, it would be a very different world, so music does change](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/mick-jagger/one-song-isnt-going-to-ever-change-things-but-i-suppose-its-the-accumulation-of-music-generally-that-is-if.jpg)
