Prior to its release, the band promoted the album by releasing a track per week on their Purevolume and Myspace website accounts, as well as on their own website. So far, two radio singles have been released from the album: A Day Late and Paperthin Hymn. Both have been quite successful on alternative rock radio. A video for A Day Late has been released and the video for Paperthin Hymn released on March 17, 2006.
Furthermore, Anberlin recorded covers of the Bob Dylan song Like a Rolling Stone, the Depeche Mode song Enjoy the Silence, The Cure's Love Song, and the popular Christmas song Baby Please Come Home, included on the compilation album Lost Songs in 2007.
Singer Stephen Christian is also working on some solo music under the name of Anchor & Braille with Aaron Marsh of Copeland, which is expected to take the form of a full length album sometime in 2008.
The band performed on G4's Attack of the Show on March 23, 2006
Anberlin's third album, Cities, was released on Feburary 20, 2007. There are two different versions: a regular version and a special edition containing three extra songs and a documentary on DVD. So far music videos have been released for Godspeed and The Unwinding Cable Car.
The singles Godspeed and The Haunting were available as of December 28, 2006 from the iTunes music store and may still be purchased.
Anberlin's final album with Tooth and Nail records, Lost Songs, was released November 20, 2007. It features many of its original hits, as well as live recordings and unreleased tracks.
They are now signed with Universal Republic and released their fourth LP, New Surrender, September 30, 2008.
They released their fifth LP, Dark is the Way, Light is a Place on September 9, 2010.
Songfacts reports that, Self-Starter, the first release from Vital, Anberlin's sixth album, was the band's first ever song to feature female vocals.
On July 22, 2014 they released what would be their final album - Lowborn. It was announced that after a final tour following the release of Lowborn the band would be parting ways.
The end of Anberlin is not sad but hopeful. There is no animosity or drama, but rather a celebration of what these five musicians have achieved both in the studio and onstage. “Usually breakups happen quickly and suddenly, an implosion of sorts,” McAlhaney says.
“What is unique about the end of Anberlin is that we discussed where people were at in their lives, what that meant for the band, and then made plans for the end on our own terms.”
Like A Rolling Stone
Anberlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People call, said, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal
How does it feel? How does it feel?
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
You've gone to the finest school all right, 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 find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said, you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know 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 of home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
(That they got it made)
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring
Oh you'd better, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
How does it feel? How does it feel?
To be on your own with no direction of home
Like a complete unknown
How does it feel? How does it feel?
To be on your own with no direction of home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Anberlin's "Like a Rolling Stone" is a cover of the song originally written and performed by Bob Dylan. The lyrics describe the downfall of a woman who was once wealthy and powerful but has now lost everything. The song takes on a conversational tone, with the singer both addressing the woman and reflecting on her situation.
The iconic opening line "Once upon a time you dressed so fine" depicts the woman's former grandeur, followed by the line "You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?" referencing her past generosity. However, now that she is in a difficult situation, people warn her that she is "bound to fall" and that she will face consequences for her actions. The singer then poses the repeated question, "How does it feel?" to emphasize the severity of her current situation and her lack of direction.
In the verses that follow, the woman's privileged upbringing is detailed as the singer critiques her for not knowing how to live on the streets, and her initial rejection of the "mystery tramp" who might offer her assistance. As the song moves into the final verse, a reference is made to a "princess on the steeple" and "all the pretty people" who are drinking and celebrating. Despite this contrast between the woman's life and those around her, she is still alone and unknown.
Overall, Anberlin's rendition of "Like a Rolling Stone" stays true to Dylan's original lyrics, depicting a character who falls from grace and ends up alone and isolated. The song is a haunting reminder of the fleeting nature of material possessions and the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Back in your prime, you were well-dressed and looked fabulous.
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
You were once generous enough to give money to the less fortunate.
People call, said, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
Others warned you that you were headed for trouble, but you dismissed their concerns.
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You thought that people who warned you about the consequences of your actions were not serious.
You used to laugh about
You used to find humor in
Everybody that was hangin' out
Everyone who spent time socializing.
Now you don't talk so loud
Nowadays you speak more quietly and with less confidence.
Now you don't seem so proud
You don't appear as proud and self-assured as you once did.
About having to be scrounging for your next meal
The fact that you now have to search for food instead of being able to easily afford it.
How does it feel? How does it feel?
Repetition of the line emphasizes the question being asked.
To be without a home
To not have a permanent residence.
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
To feel like you are anonymous and unimportant, moving from place to place without direction.
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
You have been educated at the best school, but still feel lonely.
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
You only used to socialize and drink alcohol in that school, not actually learn anything.
Nobody's ever taught you how to live out on the street
You have never been taught how to survive on the streets.
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You are now coming to terms with the fact that you will need to learn how to survive in these conditions.
You said, you'd never compromise
You had previously stated that you would not give in or change your stance.
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
You had previously opposed the unknown vagabond, but are now realizing their value.
He's not selling any alibis
The stranger has no excuses or lies to offer.
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you look deeply into the uncertain and enigmatic stranger's eyes.
And say, "Do you want to make a deal?"
You offer the stranger a proposition or agreement.
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
Reference to the privileged and wealthy in society.
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are consuming alcohol and feeling secure in their superior social status.
Exchanging all precious gifts
Trading valuable assets with each other.
But you'd better take your diamond ring
You need to pawn your valuable possessions in order to stay afloat.
Oh you'd better, you'd better pawn it babe
The line is repeated for emphasis, as a warning that you must sell your valuables.
You used to be so amused
You found great enjoyment in the past.
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
You used to find humor in the mannerisms of the less fortunate.
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
The previously dismissed stranger is now beckoning you, and you cannot ignore him.
To be on your own with no direction of home
To be without a fixed or known destination or path.
Like a complete unknown
Feeling anonymous and unknown.
Like a rolling stone
Constantly moving, rolling down an unknown path.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spooky
Such a good song it should have more views
Kelly MacLeod
I really love how they kinda changed the melody. Every other cover goes along the exact same lines as Dylan's, so this is nice. But they still drag that last word in each verse out :) my favorite part.
gregory the horse
Really nice, I like this new album!
Renn Cameron
I am a MASSIVE Dylan fan, but I love this cover, it's fantastic! I love a good cover :D
far2ez
@VulpeLunatica That's like me saying that you should give up on the English language because you can't pull it off. I personally think this cover is excellent.. True enough to the original while still maintaining everything from Christian's signature voice. Additionally, this is one of the side songs on their least popular album.. composed almost entirely of acoustic versions of their other songs and multiple covers from the same generation of music to pay homage. I don't think you get it.
Rhiannon Ketchum
Fantastic cover...It's hard to decide which is better out of this version or Bob Dylan's
calabazitas01
nice job!
Jack Vaughn
take the best song of all the time and cover it... you can't really go wrong
johannes3x5
Im a big dylan fan, but this one is pretty damn good, as much as bobs style is unique so is this version of the song, they adapted it to their style, liking their style is something completely different ...
Suhailah Mazlan
Anberlin is great. :D