About the song
Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”: A Timeless Anthem of Change
Bob Dylan’s 1965 masterpiece, “Like a Rolling Stone,” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone that has resonated with audiences for generations. Released on his album Highway 61 Revisited, the track’s raw energy, poetic lyrics, and extended length challenged the conventions of popular music at the time.
Often hailed as one of the greatest songs of all time, “Like a Rolling Stone” is a scathing indictment of social climbing and materialism. Dylan paints a vivid picture of a fallen socialite who has lost everything, leaving her “alone and singing the blues.” The song’s repetitive chorus, “How does it feel to be on the bottom?” is a haunting reminder of the fragility of fortune and fame.
Dylan’s lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and literary allusions. The song’s extended length allows him to develop his narrative in depth, creating a sense of epic drama. The lyrics are also notably direct and confrontational, marking a departure from the more folk-oriented material Dylan had previously released.
Musically, “Like a Rolling Stone” is characterized by its driving rhythm and Dylan’s harmonica playing. The song’s extended instrumental break provides a space for the listener to reflect on the lyrics and the emotional impact of the song.
The impact of “Like a Rolling Stone” was immediate and profound. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Critics praised the song’s originality and boldness, and it quickly became a staple of rock and roll radio.
Beyond its commercial success, “Like a Rolling Stone” has had a lasting cultural impact. The song’s themes of social change and personal transformation have resonated with audiences of all ages. It has been covered by countless artists, from The Rolling Stones to The Animals, and has been featured in numerous films and television shows.
In conclusion, “Like a Rolling Stone” is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and challenge listeners. Dylan’s ability to capture the spirit of an era and to express universal themes of alienation and loss has ensured the song’s enduring popularity. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Bob Dylan or simply appreciate great songwriting, “Like a Rolling Stone” is a song that deserves to be heard.
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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