He regularly does solo work, and returns again and again to bands he has formed like The Soft Boys and The Egyptians. Hitchcock is an avid and able collaborator with people like director Jonathan Demme, actor Alan Rickman, country/folk duo (and longtime Hitchcock fans) Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Venus 3, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Young Fresh Fellows' frontman Scott McCaughey, Andy Partridge of XTC, Nick Lowe, former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jon Brion, and Grant-Lee Phillips, as well as Ministry's Bill Rieflin.
Hitchcock's musical and lyrical styles have been influenced by his appreciation of Bob Dylan, Gregory Corso, The Byrds, Country Joe & The Fish, and Syd Barrett.
Hitchcock's lyrics are an essential component of his work, and tend to include surrealism, comedic songs, characterisations of English eccentrics, plant roots, insects, trains, dreams, and melancholy depictions of everyday life. His themes include what many psychologists view as the roots of modern neurosis - namely, death, sex, and eating. (As if in recognition of these themes, he released an EP in 2007 called "Sex, Food, Death and Tarantulas".)
Like a Rolling Stone
Robyn Hitchcock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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?
"Like a Rolling Stone" by Robyn Hitchcock is a cover of Bob Dylan's iconic song. The lyrics tell a story of a once privileged and respected individual who has fallen from grace and now finds themselves on the streets, homeless and forgotten. The song addresses themes of societal expectations, loss, and personal transformation.
In the first verse, the song reminisces about a time when the singer was well-off and generous, throwing money to the less fortunate. However, the people who warned her about the consequences of her actions are proven right when she experiences a downfall. The lyrics suggest that she used to ridicule and dismiss those who were struggling, but now she finds herself in the same desperate situation.
The second verse reveals that the singer had a privileged upbringing, attending a prestigious school. However, she relied on indulgence and excess during those years, never learning the survival skills necessary for street life. Now, she realizes that she must adapt to her new circumstances. The mention of the "mystery tramp" represents the reality she has to face: there are no easy answers or escape routes. The lines imply that she had previously rejected the tramp's offers, but now she's desperate enough to consider making a deal with him.
The third verse criticizes the singer's ignorance and reliance on others for her own happiness. She never noticed the unhappiness and struggles of those around her who tried to entertain and impress her. The lyrics suggest that she allowed others to define her pleasure, rather than finding it within herself. The imagery of the "chrome horse" and the diplomat symbolize the extravagant and deceptive relationships she has had. The song reveals that she ultimately realizes these relationships were empty, as the diplomat took everything from her.
In the final verse, the song addresses the illusion of happiness and success. The "princess on the steeple" and the "pretty people" represent the privileged class who believe they have everything they need. However, the singer, now stripped of her former status, advises them to let go of their material possessions and superficiality. She compares herself to Napoleon, who may have seemed powerful and confident but was ultimately defeated. The line "When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose" suggests that when everything is taken away, one can finally be free from the burden of societal expectations.
Overall, "Like a Rolling Stone" is a poignant reflection on the fragility of material wealth and superficiality, as well as the transformation that can come from personal loss and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
There was a period when you used to dress elegantly
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
During your prime, you would generously offer spare change to the less fortunate
People'd call, say, 'Beware doll, you're bound to fall'
People would caution you, warning that you were heading for a downfall
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You didn't take their warnings seriously, assuming they were joking
You used to laugh about
You used to find amusement in
Everybody that was hangin' out
All those who were just spending time aimlessly
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you have lost your confident and outspoken demeanor
Now you don't seem so proud
Now you have lost your sense of self-worth and pride
About having to be scrounging for your next meal
About the fact that you now have to search desperately for your next meal
How does it feel
How does it emotionally affect you
To be without a home
To lack a place of residence
Like a complete unknown
Like someone who is totally unfamiliar to others
Like a rolling stone?
Like someone who is constantly moving without a fixed destination
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
You have indeed attended prestigious academic institutions, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
However, you were only interested in satisfying your desires within that environment
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And no one has ever guided you on how to survive as a homeless person
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
And now you have come to the realization that you must adapt to this lifestyle
You said you'd never compromise
You professed that you would never settle for less
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
With the enigmatic wanderer, but now you comprehend
He's not selling any alibis
He's not providing any excuses or justifications
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you gaze into the emptiness of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?
And inquire if he is interested in striking a bargain with you
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
You never bothered to look back and notice the disapproval from the entertainers
When they all come down and did tricks for you
When they would all perform acts to entertain you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You never grasped that it was fruitless
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You shouldn't allow others to find enjoyment on your behalf
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
You used to enjoy luxurious experiences with your influential companion
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Who would bear the weight of a Siamese cat on his shoulder
Ain't it hard when you discover that
Isn't it difficult to realize that
He really wasn't where it's at
He actually wasn't in possession of what you desired
After he took from you everything he could steal
After he had taken everything he could possibly pilfer from you
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
A metaphorical princess positioned high on a church tower alongside all the attractive individuals
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are indulging in alcohol, under the illusion that they have achieved success
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
Trading various valuable presents and possessions
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
However, you should consider selling your expensive diamond ring for cash, my dear
You used to be so amused
You used to find immense entertainment
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
By observing Napoleon in ragged clothing and listening to his unconventional speech
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
Approach him now, as he beckons you, and you cannot turn him down
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
When you have nothing, you have no potential losses
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal
You are now unnoticed, and you possess no hidden truths
How does it feel
How does it emotionally affect you
To be on your own
To be alone, without support
With no direction home
Without a clear path or destination
Like a complete unknown
Like a total stranger to the world
Like a rolling stone?
Like someone constantly moving without a fixed purpose or identity
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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