Like A Rolling Stone

The song 'Like A Rolling Stone' is often mistaken to be by The Rolling Stones due to its title, but it is actually a classic track by Bob Dylan. Released in 1965, the song marked a significant shift in Dylan's musical style, moving away from his folk roots to embrace a more rock-oriented sound. The lyrics of the song are a narrative of downfall, depicting a once-privileged individual who has fallen from grace and is now experiencing the harsh realities of life without the comforts and securities they once took for granted.

The song's chorus asks the rhetorical question, 'How does it feel?' which is a direct challenge to the subject's newfound vulnerability and isolation. The repeated line 'Like a rolling stone' serves as a metaphor for the subject's aimless and unstable new life, constantly moving without a clear destination or purpose. The imagery of having 'no direction home' and being 'a complete unknown' underscores the theme of alienation and the loss of identity.

Dylan's lyrics are rich with symbolism and social commentary. The song criticizes the superficiality and materialism of the upper class, as seen in the references to 'the finest schools' and the 'princess on the steeple.' It also touches on themes of authenticity and the consequences of pride and naivety. The song's enduring popularity and critical acclaim stem from its powerful narrative, evocative imagery, and the universal experience of change and the fear of losing one's place in the world.