Like a Rolling Stone song by Bob Dylan
About The Song
“Like a Rolling Stone” is a seminal song by Bob Dylan, released in 1965. Here are the details:
Title: Like a Rolling Stone
Artist: Bob Dylan
Album: Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Genre: Folk Rock, Rock
Release Date: July 20, 1965 (single)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Key Themes: “Like a Rolling Stone” is often regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The lyrics are known for their enigmatic and poetic qualities, and they convey a sense of disillusionment and questioning of societal norms. The song explores themes of alienation, change, and the impact of social expectations.
Musical Style: The song features a distinctive and influential sound, characterized by a driving electric guitar riff played by Mike Bloomfield. It marked a departure from Dylan’s earlier acoustic folk sound, embracing a more electric and rock-oriented style. The organ played by Al Kooper is also a notable element in the arrangement.
Cultural Impact: “Like a Rolling Stone” was a groundbreaking song that had a significant impact on the music industry. It became a symbol of the folk-rock movement and a defining moment in Dylan’s career. Its release was met with both critical acclaim and commercial success, and it reached high chart positions in various countries.
Legacy: The song is often included in lists of the greatest songs in the history of popular music. Its influence extends beyond the realm of music, with the lyrics being studied in academic settings for their literary value. The revolutionary nature of “Like a Rolling Stone” in terms of both music and lyrics has left an enduring legacy in the cultural landscape.
Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” is a testament to the artist’s ability to evolve and innovate within the folk and rock genres. Its impact on the 1960s music scene and subsequent generations has solidified its status as a classic and transformative piece of popular music history.
Video
Lyrics
“Like A Rolling Stone”
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?
People’d call, say, “Beware doll, you’re bound to fall”
You thought they were all kiddin’ you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin’ out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal
How does it feel?
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You’ve gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody’s ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you’re gonna have to get used to it
You said you’d 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?
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 the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain’t it hard when you discover 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?
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They’re all drinkin’, thinkin’ that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you’d better take your diamond ring, you’d better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can’t refuse
When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You’re invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal
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?