Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), Dino Danelli (drums) and Eddie Brigati (vocals) formed the band in New York City. Three-quarters of the group - Felix, Gene, and Eddie - had previously been members of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Eddie's brother, David Brigati, another former Starliter, arranged the vocal harmonies and sang backgrounds on many of the group's recordings (informally earning the designation as the Fifth Rascal). When Atlantic Records signed them, they discovered that they already had another obscure group named the Rascals on the payroll. They decided to rename the group the Young Rascals.
Their first minor hit was "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" (1965), followed by the #1 single "Good Lovin'" (1966, originally by the Olympics). Soon the band began to mature as songwriters and released other hit songs written themselves, including the hit "Groovin'" (1967), "It's Wonderful", "How Can I Be Sure" (which got to #1 in the UK when covered by David Cassidy), and "A Beautiful Morning" (1968).
Their best-remembered song was "People Got to Be Free" (1968), a passionate plea for racial tolerance. Unusual for their time, the Rascals refused to tour on segregrated bills. After "People Got to Be Free", the Rascals never regained their former fame or had as large a hit.
In 1970, Eddie Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 1971. The last album with them as active members was Search & Nearness, which featured Eddie singing lead on the Cornish-penned You Don't Know and their cover of The Box Tops hit The Letter. The only single release from the album was the spiritually-themed Glory, Glory(#57 in the US), with backing vocals by The Sweet Inspirations. Cavaliere and Danelli released two more albums as The Rascals, Peaceful World and The Island Of Real, using other musicians and singers. They disbanded in 1972.
Cavaliere released several solo albums throughout the 1970s. Brigati, with his brother David, released "Lost in the Wilderness" in 1976. Cornish and Danelli worked together in other groups, including Bulldog and Fotomaker. In 1982, Cavaliere and Danelli joined Steve Van Zandt in Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.
The (Young) Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Like A Rolling Stone
The Young Rascals 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
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 lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” as covered by The Young Rascals, paint a picture of a person who once had everything but has now lost it all. The first verse describes how the person used to be wealthy and generous, giving “the bums a dime” and laughing at those less fortunate. However, now this person is warned by others that their fall is inevitable. The chorus that follows questions how it feels to have no home and be a “complete unknown” – essentially, to have lost everything.
The second verse reveals that this person had been privileged in the past, attending a fine school but not learning how to survive on the streets. They refused to compromise with a “mystery tramp” but now find themselves alone without any direction. In the bridge, the lyrics describe how this person failed to recognize the struggles of others who performed for their amusement, leading to the realization that they shouldn't have let others get their kicks for them.
The third verse tells a story of someone who once rode on a “chrome horse” with a diplomat but discovers that they were only being used for the diplomat’s advantage. The lyrics here emphasize the theme of deception and corruption. The final verse features a princess and other people drinking and enjoying their wealth, while this person pawns off their last valuable possession. Finally, the lyrics ask again how it feels to have nothing and to be a “complete unknown,” with nothing to hide.
Overall, the song strikes a tone of despair and sadness, with a hint of bitterness towards those who had it all and did not recognize others’ struggles. The repetitive questioning of how it feels to have nothing also highlights the disillusionment that comes with losing everything.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
There was a time when you were well-dressed and well-off.
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
You used to be generous to those in need.
People'd call, say : 'Beware doll, you're bound to fall'
Others warned you that your lifestyle may lead to downfall.
You thought they were all kiddin' you.
You didn't take their warnings seriously.
You used to laugh about
You used to find humor in
Everybody that was hangin' out
The people who would loiter around.
Now you don't talk so loud
You have lost your confidence and become quieter.
Now you don't seem so proud
You aren't as boastful or self-assured as you used to be.
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
The fact that you have to scrape to make ends meet is troubling to you.
How does it feel ?
What does it feel like?
How does it feel ?
What does it feel like?
To be without a home ?
To be homeless
Like a complete unknown ?
To feel like nobody recognizes you.
Like a rolling stone ?
To feel like someone who cannot find stability.
Ah, you've gone to the finest school, all right, Miss Lonely
You have had an education at some of the best institutions, Miss Lonely.
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
But you only used it as an opportunity to party.
Nobody has ever taught you how to live out on the street
You have never received direction on how to live without a home.
And now you are gonna have to get used to it.
Now this is your reality, so you must acclimate.
You said you'd never compromise
You once claimed that you would never give in.
With the mystery tramp but know you realize
Regarding the mysterious tramp, you now understand
He's not selling any alibis
He doesn't excuse or validate actions.
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
As you observe the emptiness in his eyes
And say : 'Do you want to make a deal ?'
You ask him if he'd like to do business.
To be on your own ?
To be alone without support.
With no direction home ?
To not know where to go or where to start over.
Like a complete unknown ?
To feel like a stranger to oneself and others.
Like a rolling stone ?
To feel like someone who cannot find stability.
Ah,you never turned around to see the frowns
You never noticed the disapproval.
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you
You didn't pay attention to the disapproving looks of the performers.
You never understood that it ain't no good
You never comprehended that this is not a good situation.
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you.
You shouldn't let others make you happy, you should find your own joy.
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
You used to be very close to your diplomat and ride around town in a fancy car.
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
He would carry an exotic pet on his shoulder.
Ain't it hard when you discover that ?
Isn't it tough to find out?
He really wasn't where it's at
In fact, he wasn't the person you thought he was.
After he took from you everything he could steal.
This was after he had already robbed you of everything worth taking.
Ah, princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
There are many beautiful people up on the rooftops.
They are drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
They are drinking and believe that they are very successful.
Exchanging all precious gifts
They are exchanging valuable presents or possessions.
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it, babe.
You should sell your expensive jewelry in order to make ends meet.
You used to be so amused
You used to find enjoyment in
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
You used to be entertained by the way Napoleon spoke, even though he was dressed in dirty clothes.
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
He calls for you now and you have to answer him.
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
When you have nothing, there's no benefit to playing it safe anymore.
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
You're invisible now, you no longer have any secrets; everything is out in the open.
How does it feel ?
What does it feel like?
Oh, how does it feel ?
What does it feel like?
To be on your own ?
To be alone in the world.
With no direction home ?
To not know where to go or what to do.
Like a complete unknown ?
To feel like a stranger to oneself and others.
Like a rolling stone ?
To feel like someone who cannot find stability.
Contributed by Victoria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.