About the song
“Like a Rolling Stone” is a seminal song by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on July 20, 1965, by Columbia Records. The song’s creation began with an extended piece of verse that Dylan penned in June 1965, after returning from a taxing tour of England. Exhausted and disillusioned, Dylan distilled this extensive draft into the four verses and chorus that we recognize today.
The recording sessions for “Like a Rolling Stone” were part of the broader production for Dylan’s influential album *Highway 61 Revisited*. The song’s journey from written verse to iconic track was anything but smooth. During a challenging two-day preproduction phase, Dylan struggled to capture the song’s essence. Initial attempts to demo the song in 3/4 time were unsuccessful. The breakthrough came when they experimented with a rock format, and it was during this session that Al Kooper, a novice session musician at the time, improvised the now-famous Hammond B2 organ riff that would become one of the song’s defining features.
Despite the breakthrough in its arrangement, Columbia Records was hesitant to release “Like a Rolling Stone”. The song’s length, exceeding six minutes, and its robust electric sound were atypical for singles at the time. The reluctance from the record company only dissipated when a copy of the song was leaked to a popular music club, where influential DJs played it, prompting widespread interest and demand. Although many radio stations were initially hesitant to play such a long track, the song’s compelling nature could not be denied. “Like a Rolling Stone” reached number 2 on the US Billboard charts and topped the Cashbox charts, becoming a global hit.
Critics have hailed “Like a Rolling Stone” as revolutionary, not only for its musical composition but also for the youthful and cynical tone of Dylan’s voice and the poignant question it poses: “How does it feel?” This song was pivotal in transforming Dylan’s image from a folk singer to a rock star, solidifying his status as a cultural icon. Its influence on postwar popular music is immeasurable, and it is frequently cited as one of the most impactful compositions of the era. Rolling Stone magazine underscored its significance by ranking it number 1 on their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” lists in both 2004 and 2010.
The song’s legacy is further evidenced by the multitude of artists who have covered it, including the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Rolling Stones, the Wailers, Cat Power, and Green Day. In 2014, the cultural and historical value of “Like a Rolling Stone” was further affirmed when Dylan’s handwritten lyrics for the song fetched $2 million at auction, setting a world record for a popular music manuscript. This monumental track continues to resonate with audiences, exemplifying Dylan’s enduring impact on the music world.
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Lyrics
Once upon a time you dressed so fineThrew 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 youYou used to laugh aboutEverybody that was hanging outNow you don’t talk so loudNow you don’t seem so proudAbout having to be scrounging your next mealHow does it feel, how does it feel?To be without a homeLike a complete unknown, like a rolling stoneAhh you’ve gone to the finest schools, alright Miss LonelyBut you know you only used to get juiced in itNobody’s ever taught you how to live out on the streetAnd now you’re gonna have to get used to itYou say you never compromiseWith the mystery tramp, but now you realizeHe’s not selling any alibisAs you stare into the vacuum of his eyesAnd say do you want to make a deal?How does it feel, how does it feel?To be on your own, with no direction homeA complete unknown, like a rolling stoneAh you never turned around to see the frownsOn the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for youYou never understood that it ain’t no goodYou shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for youYou used to ride on a chrome horse with your diplomatWho carried on his shoulder a Siamese catAin’t it hard when you discovered thatHe really wasn’t where it’s atAfter he took from you everything he could stealHow does it feel, how does it feel?To be on your own, with no direction homeLike a complete unknown, like a rolling stoneAhh princess on a steeple and all the pretty peopleThey’re all drinking, thinking that they’ve got it madeExchanging all precious giftsBut you better take your diamond ring, you better pawn it babeYou used to be so amusedAt Napoleon in rags and the language that he usedGo to him he calls you, you can’t refuseWhen you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to loseYou’re invisible now, you’ve got no secrets to concealHow does it feel, ah how does it feel?To be on your own, with no direction homeLike a complete unknown, like a rolling stone