Like A Rolling Stone
Jimmy Hendrix Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
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
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
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 say, do you want to make a deal?

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 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 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 have 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 take 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?

Overall Meaning

In the song Like a Rolling Stone by Jimmy Hendrix, the lyrics tell the story of a woman who was once wealthy and well-liked by society, but has now fallen from grace and is struggling to survive. The lyrics express a tone of disillusionment, regret, and desperation as the woman struggles to come to terms with her new reality.


The first few lines paint a picture of the woman's past, where she was once a socialite who threw money at beggars without a second thought. However, she is warned by others that she is going to lose everything, but ignores their warnings, laughing them off. Now, she is alone and without a home, feeling like a "complete unknown." The chorus that repeats throughout the song poses the question "How does it feel?" which, at once, asks both the character herself and the listener to imagine the painful experience of falling from such heights of luxury and fame to become a penniless beggar.


As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the loneliness and isolation that the woman experiences as she navigates her new life alongside drifters and grifters, learning for the first time about the harsh realities of life on the street. The woman reflects on her past experiences, realizing that she had been used and manipulated by the people she once thought were her friends. The stark contrast between her past life and her current situation illustrates the fragility of wealth and status, and the importance of humility and empathy.


Overall, Like A Rolling Stone is a powerful commentary on the fragility of social status and the painful consequences of pride and hubris. Through vivid storytelling and emotive phrasing, Hendrix invites us to empathize with the character's experience and consider the wider implications of social inequality and the struggle for survival.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
At one point in the past, you had a refined and elegant appearance.


You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
When you were at your best, you generously helped those in need.


People'd call, say "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
Others warned you that you were heading towards trouble.


You thought they were all kiddin' you
You believed that the warnings weren't serious and just a joke.


You used to laugh about
You used to find humor in something.


Everybody that was hangin' out
All the individuals that you would spend time with.


Now you don't talk so loud
You no longer use a loud voice when speaking.


Now you don't seem so proud
Nowadays, you don't appear to be as confident or self-assured.


About having to be scrounging for your next meal
You are now struggling to find your next source of food.


How does it feel
How are you feeling right now?


To be without a home
To not have a place to reside and call your own.


Like a complete unknown
You feel like a completely unknown and unfamiliar individual to everyone around you.


Like a rolling stone?
Do you feel like a rolling stone, meaning traveling without a specific destination?


You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
You have attended the most prestigious schools, Miss Lonely.


But you know you only used to get juiced in it
However, you only indulged in alcohol during your attendance.


And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
No one ever taught you how to survive out in the open.


And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You realize that you must now become acquainted with this lifestyle.


You said you'd never compromise with the mystery tramp, but now you realize
You claimed that you would never settle or back down, but you now comprehend.


He's not selling any alibis
The mystery tramp is not giving you any excuses or explanations.


As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you look into his empty eyes and soul.


And say, do you want to make a deal?
And ask if he wants to agree on something.


To be on your own
To be alone and without the aid of others.


With no direction home
With no indication of which direction to choose for your next destination that you consider a home.


You never turned around to see the frowns
You never acknowledged the displeasure of those who were entertaining you.


On the jugglers and the clowns
On the performers doing their acts and making you laugh.


When they all did tricks for you
When they all performed their impressive stunts specifically for your enjoyment.


You never understood that it ain't no good
You never comprehended that it was not beneficial for yourself or the performers.


You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You should not let others provide you with pleasure or entertainment.


You used to ride on chrome horse with your diplomat
You would ride on a motorbike with your political representative.


Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Who had a pet cat draped over his shoulder.


Ain't it hard when you discover that
Is it not difficult when you realize that?


He really wasn't where it's at
The politician was not the influential figure you believed him to be.


After he took from you everything he could steal
After he took all of your resources and belongings that he could take unfairly.


Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
The admirable and esteemed individuals in the highest positions.


They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are celebrating and convinced that they have accomplished everything they wanted to.


Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
They are trading precious and valuable gifts and items with each other.


But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You should sell your expensive diamond ring to obtain money, my dear.


You used to be so amused
There was a point in time in which you were easily entertained and found pleasure in everything.


At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
You would be entertained by individuals such as Napoleon, even when they were not dressed well and spoke a different language.


Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
He is now calling you, and you cannot decline his request.


When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
When you have nothing of value, you have nothing that can be taken away.


You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal
Now you are invisible, and you don't have any secrets left to hide that you wish to.




Contributed by Zachary D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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