Bob Dylan is a well known American singer/songwriter that started in folk music and eventually crossed into the rock arena. Dylan is probably best known for his social activism and songs in the 60’s, with messages typically around racism, civil rights, and anti-war sentiment. Songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “The Times They are a-Changing”, and especially “Hurricane” – a protest song about the racial profiling and racism that caused an inoccent man Rubin “Hurricane” Carter to be falsely charged and convicted of a triple murder in 1966. The convictions were set aside in 1985 (after serving almost 20 years in prison!!) because it was found that “the prosecution had been “predicated upon an appeal to racism rather than reason, and concealment rather than disclosure””. Learn more about Carter’s plight HERE.
Interestingly, this week’s song also came with controversy. The ‘cancel culture’ of the 1960s and 1970s (also known then as ‘The Man’) decided that because of the chorus lyrics “Everybody must get stoned”, Dylan’s song was a ‘drug song’ – perhaps they were still influenced by Reefer Madness and feared for the youth of America, perhaps they just didn’t like it and looked for a reason… Thinking it’s simply an anthem to get high really does Dylan and the song disservice, and demonstrates a fairly limited thought process. The lyrics mirror the idea of being physically stoned (with rocks) for committing some perceived sin against society. At the time Dylan was feeling lash backs because of moving from folk to rock and not all of his audience liked that. It’s a call out to societal hypocrisy and social justice. In an ironic turn, many in counter culture enjoy the upbeat sound and raucous horn section and play it in a party atmosphere to reclaim it in the face of those that sought to cancel it.
“‘Everybody must get stoned’ is like when you go against the tide….you might in different times find yourself in an unfortunate situation and so to do what you believe in sometimes…. some people they just take offence to that. You can look through history and find that people have taken offence to people who come out with a different viewpoint on things.”
a comment Dylan made to New York radio host Bob Fass in 1986
Dylan responded to the controversy by announcing, during his May 27, 1966, performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London, “I never have and never will write a drug song.”
Bob Dylan about the song.
Listen and experience the song below!
Well, they'll stone you when you're tryin' to be so good They'll stone you just like they said they would They'll stone you when you're tryin' to go home They'll stone you when you're there all alone But I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get stoned Well, they'll stone you when you're walkin' on the street They'll stone you when you're tryin' to keep your seat They'll stone you when you're walkin' on the floor They'll stone you when you're walkin' to the door But I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get stoned They'll stone you when you're at the breakfast table They'll stone you when you are young and able They'll stone you when you're tryin' to make a buck They'll stone you and then they'll say, good luck Yeah but I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get stoned Well, they'll stone you and say that it's the end Then they'll stone you and then they'll come back again They'll stone you when you're riding in your car They'll stone you when you're playing your guitar Yes but I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get stoned, alright Well, they'll stone you when you are all alone They'll stone you when you are walkin' home They'll stone you and then say, they're all brave They'll stone you when you're send down in your grave But I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get stoned
Are there songs that help you cope with strong feelings – what are some of your favorite?
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