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One of the most covered and influential songs of all time, ''Like a Rolling Stone'' lyrics are here handwritten and signed by their creator, Bob Dylan. With this song, Dylan reinvigorated his passion for his own work and fully embraced rock music as a complement to folk. Clocking in at 6 1/2 minutes long, the song was initially thought too long to be commercially successful, until listeners in the mid-60s harassed radio stations to play it in its entirety. ''Like a Rolling Stone'' has been covered by Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and countless others, and inspired even more. Bruce Springsteen first heard it when he was 15 years old: ''on came that snare shot that sounded like somebody'd kicked open the door to your mind...The way that Elvis freed your body, Dylan freed your mind, and showed us that because the music was physical did not mean it was anti-intellect. He had the vision and talent to make a pop song so that it contained the whole world. He invented a new way a pop singer could sound, broke through the limitations of what a recording could achieve, and he changed the face of rock'n'roll for ever and ever.'' Handwritten lyrics read in full:
''Like a Rolling Stone
Once upon a time you dressed so fine threw the bums a dime in your prime didn't you
People call say beware doll you're bound to fall you thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about everybody that was hanging out
Now you don't talk so loud, now you don't act so proud
About having to be scrounging around for your next meal
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've gone to the finest schools all right Miss Lonely but you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody ever taught you how to live out 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 alibi and 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've never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers or the clowns who came down to do tricks for you
You've never understood it ain't no good you should never 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 Simeze cat
Aint it hard when you discover that he really wasn't where it's at
After he's taken everything he can 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 drinking thinking that they got it made
Exchanging all their precious things you better take your diamond rings, you better pawn 'em babe
You used to be so amused at Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now you can't refuse. When you got nothing you got nothing to lose
You're invisible 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
Bob Dylan''
Single page measures 8.5'' x 11''. In near fine condition. With a COA from Bob Dylan's manager, Jeff Rosen.
Bob Dylan Signed, Handwritten Lyrics to ''Like a Rolling Stone'', The Quintessential Rock Song -- With Jeff Rosen COA
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