About the song
“Like a Rolling Stone” stands as a transformative milestone in Bob Dylan’s career and in the history of popular music. Released on July 20, 1965, by Columbia Records, this song marked a dramatic departure from Dylan’s earlier folk sound, propelling him into the forefront of the rock music scene.
The genesis of “Like a Rolling Stone” can be traced back to Dylan’s return from a draining tour of England in June 1965. Frustrated and exhausted, Dylan channeled his emotions into an extended piece of verse that eventually condensed into the song’s four distinctive verses and chorus. Initially attempted in a folk format and then in a failed 3/4 time signature during recording sessions, the song found its breakthrough when Al Kooper improvised a memorable Hammond B2 organ riff. This riff, combined with Dylan’s gritty vocals and the song’s confrontational lyrics, created a raw and electrifying sound that Columbia Records initially hesitated to release due to its length and unconventional style.
However, fate intervened when a leaked copy reached influential DJs, prompting widespread demand. Despite radio stations’ reluctance to play a six-minute track, “Like a Rolling Stone” soared to No. 2 on the US Billboard charts (No. 1 in Cashbox) and became a global sensation. Its impact was profound, not just for its commercial success but for its revolutionary musical elements and Dylan’s shift from folk troubadour to rock icon.
Critics hailed “Like a Rolling Stone” for its innovative blend of electric guitar riffs, organ chords, and Dylan’s distinctive vocal delivery, which captured a sense of youthful disillusionment and existential questioning. The lyrics, centered around the rhetorical question “How does it feel?”, marked a departure from conventional pop songs of the time, delving instead into themes of alienation, societal critique, and personal transformation.
Beyond its musical innovation, “Like a Rolling Stone” became a cultural touchstone, listed at No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” lists. It has been covered by numerous artists spanning different genres, from Jimi Hendrix to Green Day, attesting to its enduring influence.
In Dylan’s own words, “Like a Rolling Stone” represented a personal and artistic breakthrough, reshaping his career trajectory and reaffirming his commitment to songwriting over other literary forms. Its impact extended far beyond its initial release, influencing generations of musicians and listeners alike, cementing Bob Dylan’s place as a pivotal figure in the evolution of modern music.
Thus, “Like a Rolling Stone” remains not just a song, but a cultural landmark that continues to resonate with its timeless blend of musical innovation, lyrical depth, and raw emotional power. Its legacy underscores its significance as a defining moment in the history of popular music.
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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