After the release of a second album in 1972, she dropped out of the music scene. It was not until the 1990s that she reappeared as part of the Stone Coyotes with her husband Doug Tibbles (the producer of her earlier albums) on drums and son John Tibbles on bass.
Hard to take a neutral point of view re The First Lady of Rock. However, while standing in line, in the cold and in the rain, to see Barbara and The Stone Coyotes at The Iron Horse in Northampton, MA, someone walked by, saw the crowd and asked, "What sort of music do they play?" "Rock!" "Country!" "Anything and Everything!"
Born in NYC. Folk singer at Cafe Wha? Married to Doug Tibbles who used to write scripts for The Munsters, The Andy Griffith Show and others. He plays drums; his son plays bass. Family group.
All Along The Watchtower
Barbara Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Business men – they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None will level on the line
Nobody of it is worth."
The thief – he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour's getting late."
All along the watchtower
Princess kept the view
While all the women came
And went bare-foot servants too
Outside in the distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl.
All along the watchtower
Princess kept the view
While all the women came
And went bare-foot servants too
Outside in the distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl.
The opening line in Barbara Keith's, All Along The Watchtower, is a statement on the frustration and desperation of the current situation. This line, "There must be some kind of way out of here", showcases the characters' desire to find a solution to their problems. The joker & thief represent different perspectives and people in society, highlighting the diversity of opinions and experiences. The joker is frustrated with the chaos and lack of structure, feeling trapped and unable to find any solace; whereas, the thief is more empathetic and understanding to the current state of affairs. Additionally, the interactions between these characters exemplify the need for cooperation and understanding in times of turmoil. They cannot afford to let their differences divide them further, but rather must work together to find a way out of the confusion.
As the song progresses, it becomes more abstract with the mention of a princess and wild cat. The princess watching over the watchtower, while women come and go as bare-footed servants, suggests a power dynamic in society. The wild cat represents the underlying danger and unpredictability of the world. The approaching riders and howling wind only increase the tension and anxiety. The world is not a safe and secure place, and the characters must face this reality head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way out of here,
The joker and the thief are stuck in a situation that feels impossible to escape from.
Said the joker to the thief,
The joker initiates the conversation with an urgent request.
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
The joker is overwhelmed with the chaos and feels hopeless.
Business men - they drink my wine
The joker feels exploited by the wealthy and powerful.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even those who work hard labor have a hand in the joker's despair.
None will level on the line
There seems to be no fairness or justice in their situation.
Nobody of it is worth.
The joker has lost all hope and sees no value in their current state.
No reason to get excited,
The thief attempts to calm the joker and maintain a level head.
The thief - he kindly spoke,
The thief speaks with empathy and care for the joker's distress.
There are many here among us
They are not alone in their suffering.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Some people believe life is meaningless and ridiculous.
But you and I we've been through that
The thief and the joker have already experienced this feeling of despair in the past.
And this is not our fate
They refuse to accept that their current situation is their predetermined destiny.
So let us not talk falsely now
They should be honest and truthful in their words and actions.
The hour's getting late.
Time is running out, and they must take action soon.
All along the watchtower
The setting is a tower used for observation and protection.
Princess kept the view
A female leader carefully watches over the tower and what lies beyond it.
While all the women came
Other women visit the tower, possibly to receive guidance or protection.
And went bare-foot servants too
Even those in servitude seek refuge within the tower's walls.
Outside in the distance
Something is happening beyond the walls of the tower.
A wild cat did growl
Indicates a threat or danger approaching.
Two riders were approaching
Two people are advancing towards the tower, with unknown intentions.
And the wind began to howl.
The atmosphere becomes tense and ominous as the riders draw near.
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mazu7229
Tony Peluso's fuzz guitar solo shines here, just as his superb fuzz solo on Carpenters' "goodbye to love"😊
@francoisboulain3935
the best cover with the Hendrix one. Incomparable feeling. A masterpiece !
@sebashess4768
SOTHIS YS NOT A FAITH, BUT YT SURE , AINT NO JOKE, SEBAS SEBAS SEBAS,,....and??
@alanhorn202
Bob Dylan wrote this song, not Jimi Hendrix
@caoimhin440
Dave Matthews Band!
@raimundoalaniz4111
bless you music. bless you.
@DouglasGillert
Barbara Keith's voice showers upon you like late April
@rogerkincaid931
50,000th view. I should come here more often.
@jenniferhorton3925
My intro to this song. My all-time fave (if I had to just pick one). I love every version I've ever heard since, but come back to this like coming home.
@TheRunner75
This Bob Dylan cover kicks ass. What a voice! What a strong background!!! Thanks so much.