About the song
*”Like a Rolling Stone,” released in 1965, stands as a watershed moment in the annals of rock music. Bob Dylan, already a celebrated folk singer, delivered a seismic shift with this track, effectively severing ties with his earlier acoustic sound and embracing a more electric, raw aesthetic. The song’s genesis is as intriguing as its impact. Born from the ashes of Dylan’s 1965 UK tour, the lyrics, initially penned as a stream-of-consciousness rant, evolved into a scathing indictment of societal norms and a poignant exploration of alienation.
The musical arrangement of “Like a Rolling Stone” was equally groundbreaking. Dylan’s decision to experiment with a rock format, coupled with Al Kooper’s innovative organ work, resulted in a track that was both challenging and exhilarating. The song’s extended length and unconventional structure challenged the norms of popular radio at the time, but its raw energy and emotional depth resonated deeply with a generation seeking authenticity.
The lyrics themselves are a masterclass in poetic brevity. Dylan’s repeated refrain, “How does it feel?” is a haunting question that invites listeners to contemplate the consequences of their choices and the nature of their existence. The song’s themes of social and personal upheaval, combined with its unflinching honesty, have made it a touchstone for countless artists and writers.
Beyond its musical and lyrical brilliance, “Like a Rolling Stone” is a cultural artifact that encapsulates the spirit of the 1960s. Its release coincided with a period of profound social and political change, and the song’s message of defiance and individualism struck a chord with a generation eager to challenge the status quo. In the decades since its release, “Like a Rolling Stone” has been the subject of countless analyses and interpretations. Yet, its power to move and inspire remains undiminished.”*
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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