Well, they'll stone you when you're trying to be so good
They'll stone you just like they said they would
They'll stone you when trying to go home
And 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 walking on the street
They'll stone you when you're trying to keep your seat
They'll stone you when you're walking on the floor
They'll stone you when you're walking through 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 'oung and able
They'll stone you when you're trying 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 carand they'll stone 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 walking home
They'll stone you and then say they are brave
They'll stone you when you're sent down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned



Lyrics submitted by Kitten_61

Track duration: 04:34


Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 song meanings
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92 Comments

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  • 0
    Link(s):What did Bob Dylan mean when he sang about getting "stoned" in "Rainy Day Women #12 And #35"? Maybe not what you think! songfacts.com/blog/writing/stoned_in_song/
    Flag songfactson October 03, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:The song is about being fed drugs by everyone around him ("But I would not feel so all alone"), despite not really wanting to consume them (likening it to being stoned with a rock). Anyone who's lived in a house full of drug users while trying to, say, hold a steady job can relate to this song. Most of these other interpretations are totally incorrect.
    Flag hocoboon July 06, 2011   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I love a good analogy..

    Saying this song is about getting stoned is like saying "Hit Me Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears is about domestic violence. haha
    Flag Islablueon October 02, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:If Dylan read these comments I think he would be highly amused.
    First, he knew two groups of people would take the lyrics and directly correlate them with drug use and one group would see the "big picture".
    Group one - Those who judged beatnicks, hippies, and "long hairs" in the 60's and without knowing them, dubbed them as stoners.
    Group two - Stoners. They equate anything and everything with getting stoned. They see the obvioius connotation and run with it without taking the time to actually listen to the lyrics.
    Group three - Those who see the big picture. They acknowledge the direct connotation with drug culture and getting "stoned" and probably smoke themselves, but they know the song was about much much more than that. Dylan didn't make music so people could pass a joint to the rhythm.

    But, he knew what he was doing when he wrote this song. So, interpret what you will. It was expected.
    Flag Islablueon October 02, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song reminds me of one of my guy friends. He took me home after a party and we was listening to Bob Dylan. I don't smoke, but that night we got high in the car before he dropped me off and he put on this song and said that it was our song because I told him I wouldn't get high but he got me to do it just like the lyrics


    Well, they'll stone you when you're trying to be so good
    They'll stone you just like they said they would
    They'll stone you when your tryin to go home..

    &&

    They'll stone you when you're riding in your car..

    &&

    everybody must get stoned..

    I love Bob Dylan..
    Flag lovemusictoomuchon August 16, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:there is no secret freudian meaning. he is talking about hittin that bong and singin sweet nothins
    Flag ritenowon July 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:guys forget about the drug reference and all, it's the music and beauty, and most of all, bod dylan's unraveled talent in rendering an improvised piece of true genius that really should be the focus of all discussion.
    Flag Hacklewon May 25, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:this song is by far the greatest song to get baked with your friends too
    Flag rainydaywoman420on December 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes, I think that you have it right. It is about women, and how as a man, you can escape their power and the fascination that women hold for you. Stoned is a reference to the Gorgons head, a fearsome female character from Greek Myth who could turn men to stone whenever men laid eyes on them.

    They do stone us ... even when home ... even when alone.

    Heck the women and the obvious references to a range of ages pretty much gives it away. Sorry potheads! :-)
    Flag DavidfromAtlantaon October 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Doesn't 420 only have the weed connotation because it was the day Bob Marley died?
    If so, then the whole 420 thing would be kind of invalid seeing as this was before Bob Marley's time..?
    Flag Nabberson June 30, 2009   Link

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