Roxy Music became a successful act in Europe and Australia during the 1970s. This success began with their self-titled debut studio album in 1972. The band pioneered more musically sophisticated elements of glam rock while significantly influencing early English punk music, and provided a model for many new wave acts while innovating elements of electronic composition. The group also conveyed their distinctive brand of visual and musical sophistication with their focus on glamorous fashions. Ferry and co-founding member Eno have had influential solo careers. Eno became one of the most significant British record producers of the late 20th century. Rolling Stone originally ranked Roxy Music No. 98 on their greatest artists list ("The Immortals – The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time"), but dropped the group from the list when they updated it in 2011.
Roxy Music's final studio album was Avalon (1982), which was certified Platinum in the United States. In 2005, the band began recording what would have become their ninth studio album—and their first album with Eno since 1973 (he wrote two songs for it and also played keyboards). However, Ferry eventually announced that the material from these sessions would instead be released as a Ferry solo studio album, with Eno playing on "a couple of tracks", and that he believed the group would never again produce a record as Roxy Music. The album was released in 2010 as the Ferry solo studio album Olympia. It featured contributions from Eno, Manzanera, and Mackay (amongst many other session players).
In 2011, Roxy Music played a series of 40th-anniversary shows, but went inactive as a performing entity following the concerts. In 2019, Roxy Music were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Roxy Music reformed for a tour to mark the 50th anniversary of their debut studio album.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Music
Studio albums
Roxy Music (1972)
For Your Pleasure (1973)
Stranded (1973)
Country Life (1974)
Siren (1975)
Manifesto (1979)
Flesh and Blood (1980)
Avalon (1982)
A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall
Roxy Music Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
Walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
Stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
Been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in a mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Oh what did you see, my blue eyed son?
What did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a bleedin'
A white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue eyed son?
What did you hear, my darling young one
I heard the sound of thunder that roared out a warning
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a blazin'
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
Heard one person starve, many people laughin'
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard hard hard hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Oh who you did meet, my blue eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young girl whose body was burning
A young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
Another man who was wounded with hatred
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Oh what'll you do now, my blue eyed son?
What'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm goin' back out 'fore the rain starts fallin'
Walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where people are many and their hands are all empty
Where pellets of poison are flooding the waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, and none is the number
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountains so all souls can see it
Then I'll stand in the ocean until I start sinking
But I'll know my song well before I start singing
And it's a hard it's a hard and it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a so hard
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
"A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall" is a powerful and enigmatic song that was released in 1962 by the British band Roxy Music. The song opens with a father or parent asking their “blue-eyed son” where they’ve been and what they’ve seen. The son replies with a series of vivid and surreal images of their travel across the world. These images refer to the dark experiences of life in general, but especially to the social, economic, and political upheavals of the time. The song wants us to view the world with a critical eye and provides a message of warning and hope.
As the song unfolds, we see the son reflecting on his encounters with desperate people, children with armed violence, starvation, and death. He has seen the horrors of violence, hatred, and death firsthand- sharp swords, guns, blood dripping from a black branch. He has also seen the beauty of life and things yet hope that he has found along the way—a newborn baby surrounded by wild wolves, a woman who gave him a rainbow. The song finally ends on the hope that the message will be spread through song until it is heard by all.
The song deals with various themes such as the search for meaning in life, disappointment, loss, human experience, and social injustice. The image of a “hard rain” alludes to the tumultuous time in which the song was written, carrying with it both a sense of impending doom and the possibility of renewal. The song is a powerful expression of the disillusionment and cynicism that was present in America during the early 1960s and it is recognized as a protest song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh where have you been, my blue eyed son?
Asking somebody where they've been.
Where have you been, my darling young one?
Asking somebody where they've been.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
Describing a difficult journey through rugged terrain.
Walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
Describing a difficult journey on treacherous roads.
Stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
Describing walking through gloomy, unhappy locations.
Been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
Describing being in ocean areas that have suffered catastrophic environmental damage.
I've been ten thousand miles in a mouth of a graveyard
Describing a perilous journey leading to a graveyard.
It's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard
Emphasizing that the journey has been incredibly difficult.
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Implies a coming storm or difficult times ahead.
Oh what did you see, my blue eyed son?
Asking somebody what they have witnessed.
What did you see, my darling young one?
Asking somebody what they have witnessed.
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves around it
Describing seeing a vulnerable child at risk due to wild animals.
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
Describing a strange and empty place of great beauty.
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
Describing seeing something terrible and violent.
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a bleedin'
Describing a place full of physical labor and pain.
A white ladder all covered with water
Describing a white ladder that has been submerged.
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
Describing a place where people are unable to communicate effectively.
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
Describing a terrible situation where young people are armed and dangerous.
And what did you hear, my blue eyed son?
Asking somebody what they have heard.
What did you hear, my darling young one
Asking somebody what they have heard.
I heard the sound of thunder that roared out a warning
Describing hearing a warning of impending danger.
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Describing the sound of an overwhelming force capable of wiping out everything.
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a blazin'
Describing the sound of intense drumming.
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
Describing a place where what people say is not heard by anyone else.
Heard one person starve, many people laughin'
Describing a situation where people are suffering while others are indifferent.
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Describing the final work of an artist who died in poverty.
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
Describing a sad and lonely event involving a performer who is usually cheerful.
Oh who you did meet, my blue eyed son?
Asking somebody who they have met.
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
Asking somebody who they have met.
I met a young child beside a dead pony
Describing seeing a tragic scene involving a dead animal and a vulnerable child.
I met a white man who walked a black dog
Describing somebody walking a black dog, with the race of the person being mentioned for unclear reasons.
I met a young girl whose body was burning
Describing seeing somebody who has been severely burned.
A young girl, she gave me a rainbow
Describing an exchange with a young girl that brought a moment of beauty and hope.
I met one man who was wounded in love
Describing somebody who has been wounded by a romantic relationship.
Another man who was wounded with hatred
Describing somebody who has been badly hurt by negative emotions.
Oh what'll you do now, my blue eyed son?
Asking somebody what they plan to do next.
What'll you do now, my darling young one?
Asking somebody what they plan to do next.
I'm goin' back out 'fore the rain starts fallin'
Describing the desire to continue on a difficult journey despite oncoming hardships.
Walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Describing the plan to travel to an ominous, dark place.
Where people are many and their hands are all empty
Describing an area with many people, but nobody has anything of value.
Where pellets of poison are flooding the waters
Describing a place where pollution and toxicity is rampant.
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Describing the intersection of a peaceful, happy place (home) with an oppressive and miserable one (prison).
Where the executioner's face is always well hidden
Describing a place where authority has the ability to act without accountability.
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Describing a place where physical and emotional deprivation are widespread.
Where black is the color, and none is the number
Describing a bleak place where light and hope are absent.
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
Describing a determination to communicate a message about the world's difficulties in every way possible.
And reflect it from the mountains so all souls can see it
Describing the desire to have a message of difficulty and hopelessness heard throughout the world.
Then I'll stand in the ocean until I start sinking
Describing a willingness to make a great sacrifice to get one's message across.
But I'll know my song well before I start singing
Describing a desire to be prepared and confident before delivering a message.
And it's a hard it's a hard and it's a hard
Emphasizing that the challenges ahead are going to be incredibly difficult.
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Implies a coming storm or difficult times ahead.
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a hard
Emphasizing that the challenges ahead are going to be incredibly difficult.
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Implies a coming storm or difficult times ahead.
And it's a hard and it's a hard and it's a so hard
Emphasizing the difficulties even further.
And it's a hard rain's a gonna fall
Implies a coming storm or difficult times ahead.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrSebboxxx
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
And where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of the thunder that roared out a warning
I heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin'
I heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
I heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
I heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
I heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
And who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman, her body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded in hatred
And it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
And what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest dark forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where their home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
And the executioner's face is always well-hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where the souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I'll tell it and speak it and think it and breathe it
And reflect from the mountains so all souls can see it
And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singing
And it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
@redrightgoth
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I’ve walked and I’ve crawled on six crooked highways
I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I’ve been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I’ve been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, and it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin’
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin’
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin’
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin’
Heard ten thousand whisperin’ and nobody listenin’
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin’
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
And it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Oh, what’ll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what’ll you do now, my darling young one?
I’m a-goin’ back out ’fore the rain starts a-fallin’
I’ll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner’s face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I’ll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin’
But I’ll know my song well before I start singin’
And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard
It’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall
@lyndababy
IMO one of the best renditions of this song. The contrast between the upbeat tempo and the dark truth of the lyrics is brilliant.
@ThefightingCelt
I absolutely love Dylan's original ... and I also love this version. Bryan Ferry has re-arranged Dylan's classic into something very different and just as brilliant and awe-inspiring, in my humble opinion.
@danielward67
I prefer this version. Ferry's the better musician.
@thebasedgodmax1163
@Daniel Ward BD was always a better songwriter than musician. he's great of course, but he's not the best singer or guitarist or so on.
@deanm6577
It's 42 years since I first heard Bryan sing this. Heard it over & over many times since. Simply wonderful. Genius of Bryan Ferry.
Thank You Bryan.
@Tubemanjac
Never too late to join.
@henningandersen9027
One of the best cover-versions of any song of any time.
@leecollier2135
The best cover
@jorgewemyss3994
absolutely agree
@widM_
Musically maybe, in any other aspects is one of the worst covers ever. It doesn't transforms any spirit and message of the original. He turned profound anti-war song which moves you and haunts you with symbolist imagery into fun bland danceable song. Like he would not know what he's actually singing about. Sorry, this song is not meant to dance to.