All Along the Watchtower

Bob Dylan

About All Along the Watchtower

"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding, and it has been included on most of Dylan's subsequent greatest hits compilations. Since the late 1970s, he has performed it in concert more than any of his other songs. Different versions appear on four of Dylan's live albums. Covered by numerous artists in various genres, "All Along the Watchtower" is strongly identified with the interpretation Jimi Hendrix recorded for the album Electric Ladyland with the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The Hendrix version, released six months after Dylan's original recording, became a Top 20 single in 1968 and was ranked 47th in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 


Year:
1996
5:19
53 
#4

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There must be some way out of here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line
Know what any of it is worth

No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour is getting late

All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too

Outside in the distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
The wind began to howl

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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

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Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Origin & Release
"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written and composed by American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan. - The song was initially released on Dylan's 1967 album, "John Wesley Harding."
Lyrics & Interpretation
The structure of this song is unique among Dylan's works because the narrative starts with the last verse. - It contains cryptic, biblical-inspired lyrics, which have been interpreted in many ways over the years, contributing to the song's enduring appeal and mystery.
Popular Cover
Perhaps the most famous interpretation of "All Along the Watchtower" is by American guitarist Jimi Hendrix, which Dylan acknowledged, stating that whenever he performs the song, he endeavors to do it the way Hendrix did.
Chart Performance & Acclaim
Jimi Hendrix's cover of the song peaked at No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. - In 1998, the Bob Dylan version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Cultural Impact & Legacy
"All Along The Watchtower" has been covered by numerous artists in different genres, making it one of Dylan's most popular songs. - It has also been featured extensively in film, television, and other media, including noteworthy uses in the "Watchmen" movie and the series finale of "Battlestar Galactica."
References in Literature
The song's title is taken directly from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible (Isaiah 21:5-9), reflecting Dylan's fascination with biblical themes.
Production Trivia
The Dylan original was recorded in Nashville with a sparse arrangement, reflecting his desire at the time to retreat from the psychedelic rock frenzy.
Artist Recognition
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Bob Dylan’s original 47th in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
Live Performances
Bob Dylan has performed "All Along the Watchtower" live more than any other song in his repertoire, in varying arrangements reflecting his evolving sound and style.

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