Like A Rolling Stone
Jeff Beck/Seal Lyrics
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You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "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
Now you don't seem so proud
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
And nobody has ever taught you how to live 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 now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction 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
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, 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
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?
The lyrics to Jeff Beck/Seal's version of Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" shed light on the feelings of a person who was once wealthy and had everything, but now finds themselves penniless, directionless, and lonely. The song begins with a reference to the person's past, when they were admired and respected, but now they are struggling to survive, and people mock and pity them. The repeated question "how does it feel?" emphasizes the stark contrast between their past and present, highlighting the depths of their isolation.
The second verse delves deeper into the person's background, revealing that they were educated but never learned how to survive on the streets, and now they find themselves in a situation they never thought they would be in. They also realize that they were wrong to look down on those who live on the streets because they now understand the difficulties involved in living that kind of life. The person's refusal to compromise with the "mystery tramp" shows a sense of pride that has since been broken, and the song suggests that they are willing to make a deal to regain some semblance of their old life.
The final verse shows a further descent into poverty and isolation, with the person's former friends indulging in excess and materialism, while they are left with nothing. The song ends with an acknowledgement of the person's current state of invisibility and openness, highlighting the idea that when you have nothing, you have nothing to lose. Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the nature of wealth and privilege, and how quickly it can be lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Back in the day, you used to dress really well
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
You used to give money to beggars when you were younger and at your best
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
People warned you that you would fall down some day
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You didn't believe them; you thought they were joking
You used to laugh about
You used to find it funny
Everybody that was hangin' out
Everyone who was around
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you're not as confident or outspoken
Now you don't seem so proud
Now you're not as proud of yourself
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
About having to go around finding scraps of food to eat.
How does it feel
How does it make you feel
To be without a home
To not have a place to call home
Like a complete unknown
Like a person that no one knows or recognizes anymore
Like a rolling stone?
Like a person that is always moving and cannot settle down?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
You've gone to a really good school, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
But you only used to get drunk in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
No one has ever taught you how to live homeless and beg for money
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
And now you realize you have to get accustomed to living on the street
You said you'd never compromise
You said you would never settle for anything less
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
With the random homeless stranger, but now you've reached the conclusion that
He's not selling any alibis
He's not providing any excuses or explanations
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you look into his empty eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
And ask him if he wants to come to an agreement with you
To be on your own
To be alone
With no direction home
Without any idea of where you're going or where you belong
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
You never noticed the negative reactions of the people around you
When they all come down and did tricks for you
When they came to perform for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You never realized that it was not a good thing
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You shouldn't let other people make you happy
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
You used to ride on the motorcycle with your rich friend
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Who carried a cat on his shoulder
Ain't it hard when you discover that
Isn't it difficult when you find out that
He really wasn't where it's at
He was not really cool or popular
After he took from you everything he could steal.
After he stole everything he could from you
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
The rich and famous people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They're drinking and thinking that they've made it in life
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
Giving each other valuable and exotic gifts
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
But you should sell your diamond ring if you need money
You used to be so amused
You used to be so entertained and happy
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
At Napoleon, who was poor and spoke poorly
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
He's now calling you and you can't say no
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
People don't notice you anymore and you have no secrets to hide.
Like a complete unknown
Like a person that no one knows or recognizes anymore
Like a rolling stone?
Like a person that is always moving and cannot settle down?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chiggsytube
RIP Jeff Beck. I saw you in Toronto, when you were on tour with Santana, and I ... we did not clap thunderously because you were so good that after each song we had to pause, and re-evaluate. We did not want to fill the space you had just left with 'noise,' it was that good. But that's what you do, so after a half second, we did, looking around at each other slack jawed in wonder. Will never forget that. Nor you. RIP.
@benbarclay5546
I saw him in Tulsa a few years back, and when he hit the first note of "Because..." I was surrounded by steelworkers and truckers "shhhshing" each other and crying, tears rolling down their grizzled cheeks. And mine. You could hear a pin drop.
@shoe2maker
@@benbarclay5546550pm 2:36
@z.j.gordon5127
Lovely comment…
Jeff was and always will be in n my heart.
First place on my list of magnificence…
Missing him so much 💙🤍💔🕊🕊 🎸 REST WELL,.. Darling Honey BritBee 😔
@jussitikkuri6991
Wow ! What a hidden gem...... Excellent ..... The Seal Beck Band
@richardbarrick1492
Jussi, oh yes, DEFINITELY! What an amazing gem I've 💎 never heard bef. Ritchie Blackmore said, (and btw, he rarely compliments others) said 🙄 Jeff just had more notes on his guitar 🎸 😉
@abrazalves
What an incredible combination....voice and the accords of Jeff Beck guitar....this maestro Jeff Beck is a masterpiece in classics and in any genre he played in his career. What a gifted musician he always will be in the history of music.
@redhead5150
Jeff Beck makes a guitar sing. He's the one man that makes the guitar soar with sound and feeling.
@sararichmond8476
Fabulous. Jeff seems to be enjoying himself on another guitar masterclass. Seal has a brilliant voice. I've massively enjoyed this!!!!! An album and tour from these two? If only! Please! 🦁🦁
@iamanovercomer3253
Jeff Beck is such an artist - he will play with any musician .