Like A Rolling Stone
Jimi Hendrix & B.B. King Lyrics
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Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you
Peopled called you, said 'beware the doll, you're bound to fall',
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody else that was hanging 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 on your own
In no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone
The song "Like A Rolling Stone" by Jimi Hendrix is a song about falling from grace. The song talks about a woman who was once rich, popular and always had people around her but is now poor, dejected and has lost her social standing. The lyrics express the irony of her situation and how her fate had been sealed because of her arrogance and her belief that she was above everyone else.
The first verse sets the stage by painting a picture of the woman in her prime, when she used to be wealthy and charitable. But now, she's lost everything and is forced to live in poverty. The line "Peopled called you, said 'beware the doll, you're bound to fall'" is the cautionary tale that people warned her about. But she ignored them, thinking they were just envious and didn't know what they were talking about. The chorus then asks how it feels to hit rock bottom and be alone, with no one to turn to and no direction home.
The song is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and how one's fortunes can change in an instant. It's a commentary on the emptiness of materialism and the importance of humility and kindness. The chorus's haunting repetition of "how does it feel" emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the unanswerable question that lingers in the air.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
At one point in your history, you dressed elegantly and attractively
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you
During your youth, you gave beggars coins
People called you, said 'beware the doll, you're bound to fall'
Others warned you that your reckless behavior would be your downfall
You thought they were all kidding you
You believed their warnings were all jokes
You used to laugh about everybody else that was hanging out
You mocked others who were idle and had nothing to do
Now you don't talk so loud
You are no longer boastful and talk loud
Now you don't seem so proud
You are no longer exhibiting confidence and pride
About having to be scrounging around for your next meal
You have to resort to begging and scavenging just to survive
How does it feel
How does it feel
A rhetorical question asking for one's emotion during this hardship
To be on your own
In no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone
You are lost and alone with no fixed destination, feeling disconnected from the world, moving aimlessly like a vagabond
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kristjanveia4839
The song is beautiful, but the intro is perfection.
@rkrzbk
The way he breaks into the chorus is how the song is meant to be played. 🤟
@looniethemoonie5353
I think this is is the best version of this song
@mysteryjesus
Me too and I've heard all the known to exist versions
@monsieurhercule
There are a couple of good versions on the Winterland 6 CD box set.
@duanecolbert9196
ahhh he does pick and sing on this one,man guitar in the intro am made me cry,God bless you Jimi
@fluffskunk
Hendrix didn't NEED an organ in the band but oh man does it take this song to another level.
@looniethemoonie5353
@@fluffskunk Agreed! I've always wanted to start a band that had a Hammond player in it. It just adds to it.
@leadstrat
The guitar fill ins are like no other he ever did with this song live
@hosamghaith9259
It's all Jimi the whole time, including the intro.