Originated from a surf rock group called the Crossfires, the Turtles delved into many genres such as breezy pop, psychedelic music, and folk rock. A precursor to the bubblegum pop of the late 60s and early 70s as well as a foil to the more self-consciously hip and "serious" acts of the era, the Turtles produced at least a dozen memorable, radio-friendly chart singles. Yet they remain best known for 1967's "Happy Together", which was their only chart-topping single.
The Turtles wound down their career in 1970.
The two prominent singers - Howard Kaylan ("Eddie") and Mark Volman ("Flo" a.k.a. "Phlorescent Leech") - collaborated with Frank Zappa for a short but very intensive period of one and a half years (between 1970-72) and were the cornerstone of what was known to be the Zappa "Vaudeville" band; two of the most famous achievements of that period being the albums Fillmore East – June 1971 and 200 Motels, the soundtrack of the film by the same name.
Like a Rolling Stone
The Turtles 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
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 ?
Ah, you've gone to the finest school, all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street
And now you are gonna have to get used to it.
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp but know 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 ?
How does it feel ?
To be on your own ?
With no direction home ?
A complete unknown ?
Like a rolling stone ?
Ah,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 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 ?
Ah, princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They are drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
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 ?
Oh, how does it feel ?
To be on your own ?
With no direction home ?
Like a complete unknown ?
Like a rolling stone ?
The Turtles’s version of Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” is a cover of the iconic song that captures the intense emotional and psychological journey of a woman who has gone from a privileged background to a life of uncertainty and struggle. The lyrics offer a poignant commentary on the pitfalls of fame, the fleeting nature of fortune, and the harsh realities that ordinary people must face in a rapidly changing world. The opening verses relate the story of a girl who used to be wealthy and generous, but who has now fallen on hard times and is forced to beg for her next meal. She is mocked and criticized by people who once admired her, and is forced to confront the fact that she is now an outcast - a complete unknown, like a rolling stone.
As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the woman’s sense of loss and despair, exploring the sense of isolation and hopelessness that she feels as she struggles to adapt to her new life. The verses feature vivid imagery and metaphors that underscore the sense of dislocation and disorientation that the singer is experiencing, as well as the deep sense of longing and confusion that underlies her actions. Through Dylan’s exploration of the woman’s psyche and emotions, the song offers a powerful meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning and identity in a world that seems increasingly chaotic and unpredictable.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You used to be rich and famous with a luxurious lifestyle.
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
You used to be charitable and generous.
People'd call, say : 'Beware doll, you're bound to fall'
Some friends warned you about your actions and its consequences.
You thought they were all kiddin' you.
You ignored their warnings thinking they were only kidding.
You used to laugh about
You used to make fun of.
Everybody that was hangin' out
Everyone who was around you all the time.
Now you don't talk so loud
You lost your confidence and your voice is lower.
Now you don't seem so proud
You are not as proud as you used to be.
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
Now you have to struggle to find your next meal and survive.
How does it feel ?
How does it feel to experience this situation?
To be without a home ?
To not have a place to live.
Like a complete unknown ?
To feel like no one knows or recognizes you anymore.
Like a rolling stone ?
To feel like you are endlessly wandering with no direction.
Ah, you've gone to the finest school, all right, Miss Lonely
You may have gone to a prestigious school, but now you are lonely.
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
You only used to get drunk/high in school.
Nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street
You had no preparation for living a rough life on the streets.
And now you are gonna have to get used to it.
You have to get used to this new reality.
You said you'd never compromise
You claimed that you would never give in to something you don't believe in.
With the mystery tramp but know you realize
But now you realize that the hobo you met is no charlatan.
He's not selling any alibis
He has no excuses for his condition.
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you look into his empty gaze.
And say : 'Do you want to make a deal ?'
You have nothing to offer him, but you still ask him for something.
To be on your own ?
To be alone and not having anyone to turn to.
With no direction home ?
To have no idea where you are headed.
A complete unknown ?
Being completely unknown to the world.
Ah,you never turned around to see the frowns
You never noticed the negative facial expressions around you.
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you
The performers tried to make you happy, but you were never satisfied.
You never understood that it ain't no good
You never realized that it wasn't good to rely on others for entertainment.
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you.
You shouldn't depend on others for your own happiness.
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
You were used to riding in luxury with your high profile friends.
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Your friend used to carry a beautiful 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
Your friend is not actually as important as you thought he was.
After he took from you everything he could steal.
Your friend has taken everything he could from you.
Ah, princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
A metaphor for the wealthy and privileged people who all seem happy.
They are drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are drinking and thinking they are set for life.
Exchanging all precious gifts
The wealthy people exchange expensive gifts with each other.
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it, babe.
You should sell your valuable possessions if you want to survive.
You used to be so amused
You used to find amusement in everything.
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
You laughed at Napoleon's appearance and the way he spoke.
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
If Napoleon called you now, you would not be able to resist him.
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
When you have nothing, you have nothing to fear or protect.
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
You are now invisible and don't have anything to hide.
Contributed by Alexandra G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.