About the song
Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” is a groundbreaking anthem that forever altered the landscape of popular music. Released in 1965, the song marked a seismic shift in Dylan’s career, transforming him from a folk singer into a rock icon. Its confrontational lyrics, innovative musical arrangements, and Dylan’s raw vocal delivery catapulted the song to instant stardom and solidified its place as one of the most influential compositions of the 20th century.
The song’s origins can be traced back to a period of creative turmoil in Dylan’s life. Exhausted from a grueling tour of England, he poured his frustrations into a lengthy piece of verse that would eventually become “Like a Rolling Stone.” The song’s lyrics are a scathing indictment of the materialistic and superficial aspects of society, delivered with a biting cynicism that resonated with a generation seeking to break free from conventional norms.
The recording process for “Like a Rolling Stone” was marked by challenges and experimentation. Dylan struggled to capture the essence of the song, experimenting with different tempos and arrangements before settling on a powerful rock music format. The addition of Al Kooper’s iconic Hammond B2 organ riff provided the song with its distinctive sound and propelled it into the realm of rock and roll.
Despite initial reservations from Columbia Records, who were concerned about the song’s length and heavy electric sound, “Like a Rolling Stone” quickly gained momentum. A leaked copy of the song found its way to influential DJs, who immediately recognized its potential. The track climbed the charts, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a worldwide hit.
Critics hailed “Like a Rolling Stone” as a revolutionary work of art, praising its innovative blend of musical elements, Dylan’s youthful and rebellious vocals, and the song’s direct and confrontational lyrics. The song’s impact extended far beyond its commercial success, inspiring countless artists and influencing the development of popular music for decades to come.
Today, “Like a Rolling Stone” remains a cornerstone of the rock and roll canon. It has been covered by countless artists, from legendary figures like Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones to contemporary acts like Cat Power and Titus Andronicus. The song’s enduring power lies in its ability to capture the spirit of a generation and challenge listeners to question the status quo.
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Lyrics
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?
People call say ‘beware doll, you’re bound to fall’
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hanging out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging your next meal
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ahh you’ve gone to the finest schools, alright Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody’s ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you’re gonna have to get used to it
You say you never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He’s not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
A complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ah you never turned around to see the frowns
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain’t no good
You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on a chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain’t it hard when you discovered that
He really wasn’t where it’s at
After he took from you everything he could steal
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Ahh princess on a steeple and all the pretty people
They’re all drinking, thinking that they’ve got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you better take your diamond ring, you better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him he calls you, you can’t refuse
When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You’re invisible now, you’ve got no secrets to conceal
How does it feel, ah how does it feel?
To be on your own, with no direction home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone