Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” Lyrics Meaning
Whoa, Bob Dylan! This is someone who as of 2020 is still making international headlines dropping new songs over a half of century after the one we’re currently going to discuss. And it is arguable that his longevity is just as much, if not more so, due the quality of his lyrics than his legendary musical skills.
However, in the case of “Like a Rolling Stone”, as interesting as it is, this may be an instance in which fans, due to Bob’s reputation as a profound songwriter, may be stretching the meaning of a song by applying a deeper meaning than what is actually present. That isn’t to say that the lyrics aren’t exquisite. In fact, as illustrated by the tune’s success, this track represents one of music’s most-celebrated writing efforts ever.
But despite the poetic quality of the words, the lyrics aren’t nearly as painfully-metaphoric as say “All Along the Watchtower” (1968). Indeed the symbolism in this particular song isn’t that type which takes extraordinary analysis and research to understand. To the contrary, the narrative is pretty straightforward. At the center of it is a lady whom the singer for the most part is dissing most-pointedly.
Why is Dylan criticizing the Addressee?
And he’s chastising her for a specific reason. And as a premise to her rationale, he points out that at one point she was on top of the game. In other words, she was rich and living it up. However, in doing so, she neglected some of the finer points of human existence. For instance, she partied at times when she was supposed to be taking life seriously. Also at the beginning of the third verse we see that she had a tendency to mistreat other, less-fortunate people for her own amusement.
So basically what is actually going on in this story is that the narrator is reminding her of her shortcomings as a form of mockery now that this lady has experienced an extreme downfall. In fact she is now homeless and struggling for her basic necessities. And in that regard, the conclusion of the second verse is another part of the song which has been interpreted in extreme ways due to its elaborate wording. However, what Bob is saying is actually quite simple, despite the lingo used. And that is this lady, whom he earlier referred to earlier as “Miss Lonely”, is now so destitute that she is turning tricks to survive.
Deeper Meaning of “Like a Rolling Stone”
Now where the song actually does take on a deeper meaning isn’t in the narrative per se. Rather it is in regards to who is actually “Miss Lonely”. There have been various speculations that it is a fictional name for someone who was in Mr. Dylan’s life at the time. But rather, what appears to be going down is that this is a characterization of the singer himself.
You see, Bob Dylan he was at a serious crossroad when he penned this tune. In fact he was even considering quitting the music industry at the time. So in his personal case the destitution mentioned in the lyrics are not literal. But obviously to some degree, it can be deduced that he was imagining what life would be like if he forsook his celebrity. Also if the lyrics were to be taken at heart, they would be a scathing indictment against the personality of the individual whom they are levied at. But ultimately this is perhaps more of an exercise in creative writing and fantasy than anything else.
Conclusion
So conclusively, “Like a Rolling Stone” explores the story of an individual who went from a stable, rich lifestyle to one marked by poverty and homelessness. Indeed the title of this track is a metaphor itself, which is applied to a person who lives a transient lifestyle. And in the light of their fall from grace, Dylan is throwing it in this person’s face that when she was on top, she did not care about the proper things in life, nor did she treat the less-fortunate well.
So the ultimate implication is that she actually deserves her fate. But all things considered, it appears that the lyrics are not based on an actual true story. Rather, the ultimate conclusion of this research reads more along the lines of Bob Dylan warning himself to change his way before he experiences an unfortunate life event.
When was “Like a Rolling Stone” released?
Columbia Records released this classic track on the 20th of July 1965. It was the lead single from Dylan’s sixth album, which was entitled “Highway 61 Revisited”.
Writing and Production Credits
Dylan exclusively wrote both lyrics and music of “Like a Rolling Stone”. He penned this classic while going through a very trying time in his early career. And at its original conception it was more like rhythmic musings rather than an actual song. Indeed the original composition was in excess of 10 pages.
The producer on this track was one of his regular collaborators, the late Tom Wilson (1931-1978). And in terms of “Highway 61 Revisited”, this is the only track on that particular album that Tom produced.
One of the Record Business’ Greatest Songs
“Like a Rolling Stone” went on to become, according to some of music’s most-reputable critics, one of the best songs in history. For instance Rolling Stone, which for decades has been the most-influential music magazine in the United States, actually placed this track at number one on its 2011 ranking of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In fact the magazine itself was named so in part due to this song.
It has fared comparably on other lists. For example, it made the top 5 on both the “200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s”, compiled by Pitchfork Media in 2006 and the list of the “100 Greatest Rock Songs” put together by VH1 in 2000. And it has also been placed on the equally-ranked “500 Songs That Shaped Rock” as announced by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Chart Performance
Moreover this track scored a number one on the Cashbox Top 100. It hit number 2 on America’s coveted Hot 100. In Britain, it flew to number 4.
It also charted in Australia, Canada and a handful of European countries.
Famous Covers of “Like a Rolling Stone”
Additionally some of the industry’s most-celebrated musicians have covered this song. They include the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Green Day, The Wailers, Cher, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones themselves.
Even more interesting Facts!
There is a singular extant draft of its lyrics which was written by the hand of Bob Dylan himself back in 1965. Said four-page piece was auctioned off in 2014 and sold for a whopping $2,000,000. This set a record for being the most-expensive pop-music manuscript in history.
And the official music video to “Like a Rolling Stone” – an interactive affair which was directed by Vania Heymann – set a record in its own right. For with it not being released ’til late 2013, the Guinness Book of World Records had concluded that such, a good 48 years, was the longest to have transpired between the release of a song and the release of its official video.
Moreover an entire 300+ page book, entitled “Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads”, which analyzed the history of this song was published in 2006.
And all of this for a track that, due to being over six minutes in length, Columbia Records did not want to even release.
The first time Dylan performed “Like a Rolling Stone” live was in Newport, Rhode Island on the date of 25 July 1965. Initially it was not well received by many of his fans, as up until that point he established himself more as a folk artist.
In fact the aforementioned performance was actually at the famous Newport Folk Music Festival. But when all was said and done, throughout the course of his multi-decade career, Dylan has performed this song live thousands of times.
Thanks
Thanks for the info
I would have loved the song the first time he performed it in Rhode Island. Though I like many of Dylans songs this is my ultimate favorite. I don’t hear it enough to get all the lyrics right but I do enjoy reading them and wondering who Bob was singing about.
This song about how substance abuse brings the high and mighty down…
In my very early drive to the beach to surf in the LA radio market area, I searched for this song. I could usually find one of the top radio stations playing this in my 20-minute drive to Huntington Beach. Like a Rolling Stone brings back so many memories. The lyrics were straightforward and obvious to me. Great times and song.