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How did the rejected album 'Like a Rolling Stone' become a global hit?
In 1975, when the trend of the American music industry was still rising and falling, a song that shocked people with its unique musical style and profound lyrics quietly came out. The song is "Like a Rolling Stone" written by Bob Dylan. However, before it was played for the first time, the song was strongly opposed and rejected by the record company. Columbia Records at the time felt uneasy and puzzled about this six-minute long song, because not only was its length longer than usual, but its electronic style was also very different from the popular folk style at the time. But what made this rejected single become a milestone in music history?
"Like a Rolling Stone" is considered a revolutionary work in the music industry, seamlessly blending traditional folk music with rock music.
Background and inspiration of creation
In the spring of 1965, Dylan had just returned to the United States from a tour of England and was deeply struggling with the public's fatigue with his expectations. "I'm going to give up singing. The whole situation is boring," he described his state of mind in an interview. However, it was this exhaustion and struggle that gave rise to the creation of "Like a Rolling Stone". The song was inspired by a multi-page poem Dylan wrote, originally about his disgust and dissatisfaction with the world around him.
54 recordings make a classic
During the recording process, Dylan experienced many trials and failures. The atmosphere in the recording studio was chaotic and disordered. When first shooting, it tended to be waltz-like, until one experiment changed to rock style and unexpectedly achieved success. Chicago blues guitarist Mike Broomfield and other members worked closely together during the recording process, creating an invisible spark between them. It is against this background that the main melody from Al Cooper's Hammond B2 electric organ gives the whole song a unique color.
“As musicians, we were inspired by what the DJs wanted – and that made us rethink the value of the song.”
Number of rejections and a real breakthrough
A few weeks later, although Columbia Records' sales department decided to block "Like a Rolling Stone" from its list of unreleased songs, its fate was changed dramatically by a contrived coincidence. A copy of the song leaked to a newly opened music club in New York City, where a local DJ sensed the song's appeal and spread it to the wider music community. This was undoubtedly good news for Dylan, and they finally released the song as a single on July 20, 1965.
Transformation and inheritance
With the release of "Like a Rolling Stone", the song quickly became a masterpiece on major music charts with its unique length and lyrics that penetrate the bone marrow. Not only did it reach number 2 on the Billboard charts in the United States, it also created a craze around the world. The song was covered by many artists, including Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, proving its musical influence. Over time, "Like a Rolling Stone" has come to be considered a major milestone in the history of popular music.
Its influence on later generations
As a reflection of Dylan's observation of society and culture, the theme of this song is no longer limited to love, but shows a unique understanding of loss and adversity in life. The critic described the song as "a jarring release for a musical explorer searching for self in the midst of loss". From this song, Dylan's musical image shifted from country folk to the more impactful rock world. His work also influenced an entire generation of musicians that followed, clearly defining the musical culture of the 1960s.
"I want to hurt them. I want frustration and loss to become an opportunity for them to wake up."
Today's influence
Not only that, this classic song still triggers global discussions on the protection of copyright and the boundary between literary works and popular culture today. Even in 2013, Dylan released an unusual official music video for the song, making the whole song more interactive and modern. The move has reignited a deep debate about music, society and the medium in which we live today.
It can be seen that a rejected song can eventually turn around and become an immortal classic. This makes us wonder whether there are other neglected creations that may become the shining pearls of generations in the future?
