Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” ranks as one of the most iconic songs ever recorded. But most fans know the song is a cover and originally written by the one and only Bob Dylan. He included the iconic song on his eighth studio album John Wesley Harding (1967). Ever since its release, “All Along the Watchtower” has been fuel for debate, with fans discussing the song’s origin and meaning. In this article, we’ll dive into the story, meaning, and legacy behind the song.
The Story Behind the Song
The story of the Joker and the Thief started in the fall of 1967, when Dylan traveled to Nashville to record his eighth studio album John Wesley Harding. Dylan had been in a motorcycle accident 18 months earlier, and returned from a well-desired break.
While the media and fans controversially conspired about Dylan’s break, the retreat gave him the chance to think about his priorities in life. Dylan’s thoughts led him away from being in the public spotlight as the ‘spokesperson of a generation’, and reportedly led him towards his family, friends, and the bible.
At the end of the break, Dylan also signed a new 4-album contract with Colombia. The new contract gave Dylan more control over his work and paid better royalties than his previous one. The first album had to be delivered in six months.
It’s unclear when “All Along the Watchtower”, or any other songs on John Wesley Harding, were exactly written. But it is known Dylan stepped into Columbia’s Studio A in Nashville with finished songs.
The recording of the entire album took place over 3 recording sessions lasting less than twelve hours in total. Completely opposite to the trend of 1967, when most artists spent weeks in the studio trying to produce the biggest-sounding album possible. (including and inspired by the Beatles’ Pepper’s album)
The album was released on December 17, 1967, and was well-received by critics. The opaque lyrics of “All Along the Watchtower” were instantly fuel for debates, with fans and critics discussing the song’s meaning.
The Theme of the Song
Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” follows a conversation between two individuals mentioned as the Joker and the Thief.
In the first verse, the Joker explains to the Thief he wants to escape his situation, because it confuses him and provides no relief. He seems to suffer from some sort of power exploitation, which is caused by ‘Business men’ and ‘Plowmen’, and no one seems to address it.
Read more: The 10 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs of All Time
In the second verse, the Thief replies to the Joker. He tells him not to get too excited (which refers to the Joker’s desire to escape his situation) because no one seems to take the issue seriously. But the Joker and the Thief are not oblivious to the issue, and so the Thief advises the Joker to stop talking ‘falsely now’, and partake in action before it’s too late.
In the third – and last – verse, the scene shifts entirely. We’re now with the watchtower, where princes watch down on ‘women and barefoot servants’. In the distance they see two riders approaching (most likely the Joker and the Thief). Their approach makes the ‘wind howl’, which implies an upcoming change/conflict. The third verse heavily correlates with the Bible’s Book of Isaiah, Chapter 21, verses 5–9.
The Meaning of the Song
Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” is a song filled with dissatisfaction and frustration, and correspondingly, the longing for change and a potential fight for change. Dylan himself always remained quiet about the song’s meaning, as he has with most of his songs.
It’s unclear whether the Joker or the Thief are symbolic figures or real people. If they represent real people, the Joker probably portrays Dylan himself. Some believe the Thief portrays Elvis, but this is highly unlikely.
Others believe both the Joker and the Thief portray Dylan. In that case, the song is an introspective conversation about the music industry between Dylan as ‘the star’ and Dylan as a ‘normal human being’. It is known Dylan wanted to escape the spotlights as ‘the spokesperson of a generation’, and his motorcycle accident offered him a well-desired break. There were even conspiracies Dylan faked his motorcycle accident.
Another common belief is that the Thief represents either record label CBS or manager Albert Grossman. Before signing a new contract with CBS, Dylan’s royalty rate was very low and he had little control over his work. In this case, “All Along the Watchtower” represents artists being exploited by managers/the music industry.
But most fans and critics believe the song has a symbolic meaning. The Joker and the Thief could, for instance, represent social outcasts, who criticize the social system and plan to cause uproar in order to change it.
Others argue the song is about finding the meaning – or meaninglessness – of life. In this scenario, the Joker and the Thief represent existentialists who left social order to seek personal truth, and pay heavy prices of ‘confusion’ and ‘no relief’ in order to do so. The watchtower controls those who are still within the walls of social order.
Others believe “All Along the Watchtower” has a religious meaning. This is mainly caused by the correlation between the third verse of the song and the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 21, verses 5–9.
It’s interesting to note that the Joker and the Thief may not know each other’s identities, despite being in a similar situation. In the first verse, the Joker complains about thief-like behavior to the thief. In the second verse, the thief complains about Joker-like behavior to the Joker.
It’s also important to note “All Along the Watchtower” is stuck in a cycle. The third verse is actually the first verse, followed by the other 2 verses. The first 2 verses imply Dylan is about to tell us an epic saga, but this saga is abruptly disrupted by the third – and actual first – verse. It means the story’s end remains open, and up to interpretation.
Jimi Hendrix’s Cover
Jimi Hendrix began working on his cover of “All Along the Watchtower” a month after Bob Dylan’s original release. Hendrix transformed the song into his own iconic style, replacing Dylan’s harmonica parts with his legendary guitar playing.
Bob Dylan was impressed with Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower”. In an interview with John Dolen, he said: “It overwhelmed me, really. He had such talent, he could find things inside a song and vigorously develop them.”
“He found things that other people wouldn’t think of finding in there. He probably improved upon it by the spaces he was using. I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day.”
The Legacy of All Along the Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix’s cover of “All Along the Watchtower” popularized the song. His version was a top-20 hit in the US and a top-10 hit in the UK. Bob Dylan’s original never charted.
“All Along the Watchtower” remains popular to this day, thanks to its poetic lyrics and thought-provoking themes. And although Jimi Hendrix took the song the new heights, we shouldn’t forget Bob Dylan is the genius behind the song.
Interested in more stories behind Bob Dylan songs? Click here
An iconic song that has always seemed unfinished, so I found another way of ending it that I hope will not offend anyone, and I think gives this song somewhat more depth, and historical pertinenance.
I always assumed that the first two verses are an account of the crucifixion, with Jesus as The Joker and The Thief being one of the two thieves crucified alongside him. Typical of Dylan to make us look at things from an unexpected angle. The third verse seems unconnected, but is redolent with menace and doom, with the Princess keeping a lookout, the approaching riders, and the rising storm.
The song has been covered by some of the most respected musicians of the “rock and roll” genre. Neil Young, Jerry Garcia, Dave Mathews, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Vedder, John Mayer and Lenny Kravitz, come to mind ,just to name a few.
A once in a lifetime creation by a once in a lifetime poet/song writer/musician.
The highest respect a man can receive is that which comes from his peers.
Bob Dylan is ,as they used to say , “the genuine article “.
An authentic genius. All along the watchtower is one of his most brilliant creations.
Eh… I was lead to believe the story was inspired by an iconic water tower from the 30’s complete with a witches hat in prospect park close by the university of Minnesota campus. It’s on a high hill with an observation deck. Beautiful structure. Songs start with an inspiration and lyrics are built around them. Bob hangs with his brother not far from me, but I’ve never run into either. But if I did it’s the one question I would ask kindly of…
To be honest, I never thought about it.. just enjoyed the music. But know, after reading this article it makes me wonder?
A good poet always makes us think
Could the joker be God and the thief Satan?
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