All Along The Watchtower
Eric Clapton & Lenny Kravitz Lyrics
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Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Business men they
They drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
No one will ever on the mine
No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly fool
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 talk falsely now
The hour's getting late
Yeah
All along the watchtower
The princess kept the view
While all the women came and went
Bare feet servants too
Outside in the cold distance
A wild cat did growl
Two riders were aproaching now
And the wind began to howl
Yeah
All along the watchtower
Yeah
All along the watchtower
Oh come on
The lyrics "There must be some kind of way out of here, said the joker to the thief" in Eric Clapton and Lenny Kravitz's version of All Along The Watchtower are about being trapped and desperately seeking a way to escape. The joker is a trickster figure traditionally associated with chaos, and the thief is a more shadowy figure, potentially representing someone who wants to take advantage of the chaos. The confusion and inability to find relief suggests that they are trapped in a situation that they can't escape from. The next few lines, "Business men they, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth, no one will ever own the mine, nobody of it is worth" allude to the idea of society being built on the exploitation of the poor. The business men are drinking the joker's wine, the plowmen are digging his earth, but nobody benefits from it in the end, not even the people doing the exploitation.
The second verse, "No reason to get excited, the thief he kindly spoke, there are many here among us, who feel that life is but a joke" is about people who are disillusioned with the world and see life as a meaningless joke. However, the singer and the subject they address in the song have already been through this, and they know that there is more to life than that. They suggest that they can talk falsely for a while longer, as it's getting late and there's not much time left.
The chorus, "All along the watchtower, the princess kept the view, while all the women came and went, barefoot servants too, outside in the cold distance, a wildcat did growl, two riders were approaching, and the wind began to howl" describes a scene that is happening outside of the chaotic situation that the joker and the thief find themselves in. It's like a vision of something they could reach if they managed to escape. The princess, women, and barefoot servants suggest an idyllic world that is separate from, but perhaps contrasts with, the harsh reality that the joker and the thief are facing. The wildcat growling and two riders approaching could represent another kind of danger, a reminder that the world is not always safe or predictable.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some kind of way out of here
The singer feels trapped and wants to find an escape route.
Said the joker to the thief
These are characters in a symbolic conversation about finding a way out of a difficult situation.
There's too much confusion
The situation is confusing and complex.
I can't get no relief
The artist feels overwhelmed and unable to find a solution.
Business men they
The artist is referencing a group of people who have caused them trouble.
They drink my wine
These people take resources from the singer.
Plowmen dig my earth
People who work hard and cause damage to the singer's environment.
No one will ever own the mine
The artist reflects on how their situation feels hopeless and unchangeable.
Nobody of it is worth
The artist feels disheartened and that nothing can be done to help.
No reason to get excited
There is no cause for optimism or enthusiasm.
The thief he kindly fool
The thief is trying to help, but may not be successful.
There are many here among us
There are others in the same difficult situation.
Who feel that life is but a joke
Some people cope with difficult situations using humor, but others do not.
But you and I we've been through that
The singer has had difficult experiences before.
And this is not our fate
The singer is determined to overcome the difficulties this time.
So let us talk falsely now
The situation is so bad that the artist is entertaining the idea of lying to make it seem better.
The hour's getting late
Time is running out.
All along the watchtower
The scene shifts to a tower where someone is watching for danger.
The princess kept the view
A female leader is carefully watching over the area.
While all the women came and went
The princess continues watching while others come and go.
Bare feet servants too
Even the servants are working without shoes.
Outside in the cold distance
There is danger lurking in the far-off, unknown lands.
A wild cat did growl
There are audible signs of danger nearby.
Two riders were aproaching now
Two people are coming closer and may pose a threat.
And the wind began to howl
The environment itself seems to be reacting to the danger.
Oh come on
An expression of disbelief or exasperation.
Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ricou3773
Kravitz & Clapton hauling this legendary song to new heights. To be listened to over and over again.
@owenwoodley6039
I wanna see fruscante cover this song. Once he does and it's on YouTube life will be complete
@thiefoftomorrow
man cant pick fast enough to make it good
@megaloading3176
Read my mind
@TheDonsRiche
Duuuude yes please
@tomedwards1879
Eric Clapton was not trying to copy Jimi Hendrix. He was honoring Hendrix by putting his own interpretation on the song. It's a mistake to draw a comparison between them. Both are exceptional talents, but completely different.
@shawnavelli9537
Exactly, very well said👌
@wouterwieringa
Nice told man👌🎸🔥♥️
@tonybanner2982
Yes if he was he hacked it
@Pudentame
I thought there was a bit of a Mark Knopfler homage in there as well.