About the song
Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone is more than just a song; it’s a sonic landmark that forever altered the course of popular music. Released in 1965, this groundbreaking track marked a dramatic shift in Dylan’s musical style, transitioning him from a folk singer to a rock icon.
The song’s genesis can be traced back to Dylan’s exhausting tour of England in the summer of 1965. Exhausted and disillusioned, he began to pour his frustrations into a lengthy piece of verse. This raw expression of discontent would eventually be distilled into the four verses and chorus that make up Like a Rolling Stone.
The recording process for the song was fraught with challenges. Dylan struggled to capture the essence of the track, and it wasn’t until the band experimented with a rock music format that the song truly came to life. The iconic Hammond B2 organ riff, improvised by Al Kooper, added a layer of gritty energy that perfectly complemented Dylan’s rebellious lyrics.
Despite its critical acclaim, Like a Rolling Stone faced initial resistance from Columbia Records. The song’s length and heavy electric sound were deemed unconventional for the time. However, a leaked copy of the track quickly gained traction among influential DJs, and it was eventually released as a single.
The song’s impact was immediate and profound. It climbed to the top of the charts and became a worldwide sensation. Critics hailed Like a Rolling Stone as a revolutionary piece of music, praising its innovative blend of musical elements, Dylan’s raw vocal delivery, and the provocative lyrics.
The song’s enduring legacy lies in its ability to capture the spirit of a generation. The iconic line “How does it feel to be on the other side?” continues to resonate with listeners, challenging them to question their own assumptions and embrace change. Like a Rolling Stone is a timeless masterpiece that has inspired countless artists and continues to shape the landscape of popular music.
Video
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