Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone – 1965

About The Song

“Like a Rolling Stone” is a groundbreaking song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released in 1965 on the album “Highway 61 Revisited.” It is considered one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded and a pivotal moment in Dylan’s career.

Five facts about “Like a Rolling Stone”:

1. Evolving Sound and Lyrics: The song marked a departure from Dylan’s earlier folk music roots, embracing a more electric and rock-oriented sound. Lyrically, it is known for its enigmatic and stream-of-consciousness style, reflecting Dylan’s evolving approach to songwriting.
2. Lengthy Single: At over six minutes long, “Like a Rolling Stone” was unusually lengthy for a single at the time. Despite its unconventional length, it became a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in the United States.
3. Organ Solo by Al Kooper: The distinctive organ riff that opens the song and continues throughout was played by Al Kooper, who improvised the part on the Hammond organ during the recording session. Kooper, who was initially a session guitarist, had never played the organ before but managed to create an iconic musical moment.
4. Critical Acclaim: The song received widespread critical acclaim and is often cited as one of the greatest songs in the history of popular music. It earned Dylan a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and has been covered by numerous artists across various genres.
5. Influential Music Video: The promotional film for “Like a Rolling Stone” is considered one of the earliest examples of a music video. Directed by D.A. Pennebaker, it features a montage of scenes with people lip-syncing the lyrics. The video broke new ground in the visual representation of music and has had a lasting impact on the medium.

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