Rainy Day Women #12 And #35 by Bob Dylan

Album: Blonde On Blonde (1966)

Charted: 7 2

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

With the line, "Everybody Must Get Stoned," this song is often associated with smoking marijuana, although Dylan insists it isn't, stating, "I have never and never will write a 'drug song.'" It is more likely about trials of relationships with women, and Dylan has hinted that it could have a Biblical meaning. Answering a question about people interpreting this song to be about getting high, Dylan told Rolling Stone in 2012: "These are people that aren't familiar with the Book of Acts."

The Book of Acts is the fifth book of the New Testament of the Bible and follows the four Gospels. It tells the story of the early Christian church, from its birth in Jerusalem to its spread throughout the Roman Empire.

The stoning of Stephen is recounted in Acts 7:54-60: "Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God... And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul."

In this story, Stephen received his sentence after giving a speech to authorities who were going to kill him no matter what he said. This relates to how Dylan felt about his critics, who were going to figuratively "stone" him no matter what he did. (More on the meaning of "stoned" in popular songs.)
The "official" explanation of how this song got its name: A woman and her daughter came into the recording studio out of the rain. Dylan guessed their ages correctly as 12 and 35.
A less official explanation: The song is about two women who came into the studio on a rainy day. Dylan apparently read an article about punishment for women in Islamic states - hence "Everybody must get stoned" because relationships are a trial and error thing. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Dave - Ballarat, Australia
If you multiply 12 by 35, you get 420, a number commonly associated with smoking marijuana. 420 came about because five high school students in California could only smoke at 4:20 in the afternoon. This time was after school and before their parents came home, so it was a good time for them to get high. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Dave - Boise, ID
This was one of the few songs Dylan released that was a traditional hit record, reaching the Top 10 in both the US and UK, and spending a week at #2 in America behind "Monday Monday" by The Mamas & The Papas. Perhaps relishing the opportunity to turn a song that repeats "everybody must get stoned" into a radio hit, Dylan cut the song down to 2:26 for the single release. On the Blonde On Blonde album, where it is the first track, the song runs 4:33. The single cuts out two verses and some instrumental passages.

Many radio stations received a publication called the Gavin Report that discussed new songs, and this one was described as a "drug song." Many stations refused to play it, but Dylan was so influential at the time that the song had no trouble getting plenty of airplay.
You can hear Dylan burst out laughing in this song. According to Down the Highway: the Life of Bob Dylan by Howard Sounes, the musicians were having a lot of fun in the studio, passing around joints and swapping instruments as they kept the mood light and jovial.
This song was covered by The Black Crowes for the 1995 album Hempilation, a collection of songs about marijuana. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Tim - Columbus, OH
Guitarist and bassist Charlie McCoy played the trumpet on this. He recalled to Uncut magazine March 2014: "(Producer, Bob) Johnston said,'Tonight he wants to do a song with a Salvation Army sound – we need a trumpet and trombone.' I said, 'Does the trumpet need to be good?' He's said, 'no!' I kept track: It took 40 hours to cut Blonde on Blonde."
This was included on the soundtrack to the 1994 movie Forrest Gump.

Comments: 77

Geddhead from Charlotte, NcThis "420" reference is absurd. Sure 12 x 35 is 420 BUT this term was 1st used in 1971...the song came out in 1966. No there is NO correlation to this at all to 420. Just a strange coincidence; that's it !!
Rick James from 94070I just know that they play Rainy Day Women at my favorite watering Hole every Friday at 5 PM and we all sing along with it. This song makes everyone smile. Let's leave it at that.
Catmandew from Ne FloridaBob Dylan is a phenomenal poet, but perhaps the worst singer in music history. This is perhaps his best singing effort. Everything else that he "sang" was an affront to actual singers in the musical business. Virtually every song he wrote was better when covered by actual musical artists. "All Along the Watchtower" was done better by Jimi Hendrix, "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man" was done far better by the Byrds.. I could go on, but I think I've made my point. Bob Dylan should write poetry and let other, more capable musicians, play the songs.
Truthbomb from WashingtonRipped off from: Phil Ochs - You Can't Get Stoned Enough / Just One o' Those Days (1963)
AnonymousIt seems everybody must get stoned could be a biblical reference, he used others should always do for others and let others do for you.
Phil from NycThe most compelling argument I've read is that the numbers are a reference to 420 (12*35). But 420 was born in 1971 and the song recorded five years prior, so even that must be a coincidence. At the end of the day, I think they're meaningless and it's 100% a lighthearted drug anthem/party song. 1966 is not even two years removed from Dylan introducing the Beatles to pot and right on the doorstep of the Summer of Love. Plus, the music is wildly unconventional and reflective of the same in a way that recalls Bill Hicks: "The musicians who made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years? Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrreal %@(*$!n high on drugs." I find it hard to believe Dylan was making some kind of obscure biblical reference in view of that context. That would come later- and he wouldn't be performing it with a joint in his hand. :p
Sean Kelleher from FloridaRainy women is a 1930s,40s slang term for a pot joint.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 17th 1966, Bob Dylan appeared in concert at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England...
Just before he started to perform "Like A Rolling Stone", some one in the audience shouts out 'Judas', in reference to him recently going electric. Dylan responds with "I don't believe you", and instructs his band to "Play F--king loud"...
At the time "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is at position #2 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, it was at #2 for one week and was kept out of the top spot by "Monday, Monday" by The Mamas and the Papas...
While on the United Kingdom the song was at #10 and peak at #7 {for 1 week} two weeks later.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 15th 1966, "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35" by Bob Dylan peaked at #2 (for 1 week); it had entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart on April 10th at position #79 and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 5 of those 10 weeks it was on the Top 10)...
Was track one of side one on his seventh studio album, 'Blonde On Blonde', the album reached #9 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart...
Three other tracks from the album also made the Top 100; "I Want You" (#20), "Just Like A Woman" (#33), and "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" (#81)...
Mr. Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, will celebrate his 73rd birthday in nine days on May 24th, 2014...
Michelle from San Diego , CaI thought it was about women PMSing. 12 is when girls usually start and 35 is facing menapause. For example Stating they stone you when your walking out the door might mean they are bitchin at you when you leave, and when you doing anything
Steve from Whittier, CaLogan from Abilene, Texas, is correct. The song refers to literal stoning in Biblical sense. Napoleon XIV's later 66 hit "They're Coming to Take me away" uses the marching bass line from the intro to this. One of the earlier songs to be shortened as a single.
Rick from Tulsa, OkIn Rainy Day Women the discordant bleary riff played by trombone and harmonica ("WAHHH Wa Wa Wa") is borrowed from an early and obscure blues recording, The Rheumatism Blues from 1929. The artist who recorded The Rheumatism Blues was Gene Autry who began his career as a white blues singer only later becoming the singing cowboy. You can hear Rheumatism Blues on You Tube. So Bob Dylan borrowed the discordant riff which represents being stoned from the Singing Cowboy Gene Autry.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyTalk about a super trio; Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen performed this song on Otober 20th, 1994 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City, they also sang "Highway 61 Revisited"!!!
Chris from Hamilton, OnThe Title of this song originally was long haired mule and a Porcupine, got this from Clinton Heylins Book The recording sessions
Mariah from Dallas, PaOR maybe he's the next Nostradamus!! And that he's sayin 2 women being stoned, on Lsd with big doobs in their hands will come out of the rain and save us all from damnation!!!

Really guys?
Bob himself even said in the Time Magazine interview 1965 (feautured in "Don't Look Back")
"I got nothin to say about these things I write, I mean I just write em,I don't got anything to say about about em' I don't write em for any reason,There's no great message, I mean if you, if you wanna tell other people that, go ahead and tell em'; but I'm not gonna have to answer to it,and they're just gonna think, ya know, what's this time magazine telling us?"
NOW not saying he meant his words, but does it matter? Believe what you want, the only one who really knows IS BOB and so far? He hasn't really told has he? Or this discussion wouldn't be happening. It's a good song. That's part of the fun with music and why he's so liked, he leaves the audience wondering, you get to decide what's it about. It wouldn't be as fun if you knew exactly what it meant because then you're brain wouldn't have anything to play with. Sometimes, things are left better unknown.
;)
Mariah "Ry" Wilson
Fred from Laurel, MdTrying to make heads or tails of all this talk of LSD12 or 35 or 25 or 50, there's this. The common, familiar LSD is LSD-25, which is short for 2,5-lysergic acid diethylamide. Which means that you take lysergic acid and tack on two ethylamide groups, one at carbon atom #2, and one at C #5, numberings that are according to a set of rules promulgated by the international organization that establishes these things for chemists (IUPAC, or something like that?). But one commenter mentioned LSD 25 and 50. I'm wondering whether these are maybe dosages, in micrograms? Anyway, this song, and Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, are the most fun he ever recorded. Hey, 115 = 5 x 23! Oh, nevermind.
Fred from Laurel, MdReed, MN - Yeah, but if you SUBTRACT them, you get 23! Y'know, 23-skidoo, like in the 1920's, when getting stoned meant on booze, as in bootleg gin or whiskey at a speakeasy, 'cause prohibition was in effect. And 12^35 is 59066224016449915062205358917464096768, and I'm sure we all know what THAT means, don't we?
Tom from London, United KingdomIt's astonishing reading these comments how much nonsense gets repeated here. This song is Dylan's reaction to the hostile reception he received when he switched from acoustic to electric. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DRUGS!!!
Reed from New Ulm, MnForgive me, that's wrong------i've always been terrible at math.
it adds up to 47...which doesn't mean a thing.
Reed from New Ulm, MnBeing about getting high or not getting high...does it really matter-------you see, my theory is if you take those two numbers, #12 & # 35 and add them together..you get 57, which just happens to be the number of varieties of ketchup that Heinz makes! pretty interesting, ay?
Gina from Wexford, Irelandthis song is done so so well... it makes u think its about drugs... when the only reference to them are the laughing and the drunken singing.... excellent psychology..... i take it that its about bullies and gossips...
Mike from Quakertown, Pathis is a good song by a very good artist. bob dylan is one of my favorite.
R.h. from Pauls Valley, OkPatrick in TX- Don't know about 50 but I DO know that L-25 is the purest form of LSD. Did it several times myself in the 70s. The clear liquid eye-dropped under my tongue and, of course, into the classic sugar cube.
Steve from Princeton, NjWhen I was in ninth grade, My English class was taken to a different classroom, where there was another English class, so that both classes could be shown a rather disturbing 20-minute film called "Lottery," in which a drawing is held involving literally everyone in a small town, with the eventual loser being literally stoned to death. About seven or eight months LATER, I FIRST heard Dylan singing, "Everybody must get stoned." Right away I thought of that film, and ever since then I've regretted not knowing about that song at the time we were shown "Lottery." It would have been PERFECT to sing on the way back to our classroom.
Bob from Southfield, MiThe story that I read about this song in one of the Dylan biographies years ago, (I think it was the one by Anthony Scaduto) was that Dylan wanted the horns to sound like a Salvation Army band. So some of the backing musicians road around town until they found an SA band and brought the trumpet player back with them to perform on this song.
Colleen from Allentown, PaIt's kinda obvious it's not about getting stoned but it's a good drinking game XD
Lisa from Denison, TxI read that Dylan said the song had nothing to do with drugs. He said, "every body must get stoned" was in reference to stoning someone in the biblical sense - i.e. "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" - or in the metaphorical sense.

If you look at the lyrics it seems pretty obvious: Well, they'll stone ya when you're trying to be so good,
They'll stone ya just like they said they would.
They'll stone ya when you're tryin' to go home.
Then they'll stone ya when you're there all alone.
But I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.

No matter what you do, you're going to get "stoned" or criticized by somebody somewhere, but you shouldn't take it to heart, becuase it happens to everyone.
Patrick from San Antonio, TxThe only two types of lsd is 25 and 50. and yes its a proven fact, i know for sure and ive taken it many times. this song isnt about it anyways. its about smoking, and the the women coming in from the rain, and the stoning women could be just a cover up. they made jim morrison edit a lot of his songs for drug references
John from Jupiter, Flok wellll number one dylan was amazingly cryptic, and sometimes i think he didnt want everyone to know what he was writing about, and secondly i think that every one of his songs are mostly about things that only he can describe, maybe he was watching 2 women walk into his recording studio, or maybe he was just f*cked up beyond belief, but whatever it is, it was good.
Mary from Phoenix, AzOkay, Scott was closest about the whole 420 thing. It IS a police code used for reporting over the radio that they've got someone that was smoking Marijuana...but Christa, how do YOU know that #12 & #35 were the two types of LSD you could get? Is that really a FACT? Did you do that? Just curious. It's interesting. As far as the meaning of the song...I say it's just a double meaning...like a lot of songs back then.
Andrew from Cleveland, Ohwhile im not goin to discredit the point of these comments that argue the true meaning of songs because i think its good for the debate, why dont we just understand that this, like all songs and poetry has to do with the readers/listeners interpretation?...i like to think its about getting fall-down drunk, since i dont smoke pot...not sh*tting on people who do smoke, but i can agree with both sides and i just love the song, whatever the hell hes talking about...hell for all we know the two girls thing really did happen and he is singing about girls... it its a great song that i listen to when im getting wasted...
Kenzie from Nashville, TnI have a pretty reliable account of many of Dylan's sessions because my dad was studio drummer Kenny Buttrey, and played on many of Dylan's largest hits. I've even heard that Dylan started recording in Nashville just so he could get my dad, Charlie McCoy and a few others to play on his records. According to my dad, the song had nothing to do with drugs, was a reference to being executed by stoning and the title "Rainy Day Women" was completely random on purpose in reflection of the randomness of its recording. The song was actually never meant to be released as it was just the band's way of screwing around. Everyone swapped instruments, except my dad who set his drums up backwards. Afterward, they decided to release it. I was told that the only time my dad ever heard Dylan laugh ( and he played on twelve albums with Dylan) was during the recording of this song.
Arnaud from Brussels, BelgiumThis is a very funny song and I'm sure if Dylan is reading these comments people are leaving about it he must still be laughing!

It is quite clear it has a double meaning:
1) It is generally about oppression, "stoning" as in killing somone by throwing rocks at him... Dylan is quite clear in the song about the fact that there'll allways be a reason for someone to stone you. It is part of "human nature", everybody must get stoned. Be it Dylan himself for trying an electric guitar on stage, be it the black person that, in the sixties, was trying to "keep his seat", be it in every man's personal history of trying to seduce women... Everyone is going to be "stoned" for a reason, basically because humanity's got this drive to push people to conformism.

-It is also about getting high ! Many clues show that. The title itself, "Rainy Day Women": a slang term describing marijuana... (Make a parrallel with songs of other great writers: Jimmy Hendrix's "Rainy Day, dream away" or Bob Marley's "Kaya".
It is true also that 12*35 = 420.

And... I can understand some people don't like the music of the song, but really, they litteraly sound like a "stoned marching band"... Also Dylan laughs while he sings, which would suggest he is really high on marijuana.

Last but not least, in this 1978 interview for french magazine "L'Express", Dylan himself recognises the many meanings of the song and implicitely recognises it talks about marijuana too:
Philippe Adler: Knowing the influence that you exercise over millions of young people, don?t you think it is dangerous to go on singing Everybody Must Be Stoned? (sic)
Bob Dylan: But that song has lot of other meanings.
PA: Maybe, but it does have a precise one.
BD: Marijuana isn?t a drug like the others (a pause). Today there are drugs that are a lot more dangerous than in my time.

I said at the beginning of this comment Dylan would be laughing reading these comments today! I can really read some people "stoning" others for thinking that Dylan would lower himself to writing a song about drugs ! Dylan did mean to talk about drugs too and in a way the same people are stoning Dylan, not recognizing his freedom to write a song about using marijuana, pretending it's "too low" for his genius. And in the same way, the people that pretend the song has no other meaning than drug usage are stoning Dylan too...

I believe this is Dylan's genius in this song: people actually stoning each other over the obvious different meanings of the song... Pure genius, really ! Everybody must get stoned !
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI think it's about both. Obviously, it isn't as poetic as some of his others. This song is meant to be funny guys!!
Max from London, EnglandI dont understand why your even talking about this song its really really average, who cares what it means!! Im a massive fan of Dylan and his lyrics but this song has to be about the low point in his career, lyrics are nothing special at all and the sound is just irritating. Give "i threw it all away" or "ballad of a thin man a listen"....
Luke from Nashville, TnI don't know why everyone's taking this song so seriously. Yes, it has its deeper meanings about trials and such, who says Bob didn't just think it was funny to say "Everybody must get stoned," in a song and let it have two meanings. Penultimate poet or not, even Bob liked to have fun. He laughs during the song because he's having fun playing a tongue-in-cheek song with a bunch of studio musicians. Give a man a chance to tell a little joke. Not everything can be Mr. Tambourine Man.
Joel from Sydney, United StatesIt's insulting to Dylan to suggest that there's anything profound about this song. The lyrics are corney, the music is lousy (sounds like an out of time marching band), and he laughs repeatedly while singing. The double meaning is so damn obvious and so uncharacterstic of serious Dylan songs. Contrast this with just about any other song Dylan has written- most of which are infused with his unique insight and hauntingly poetic lyrics- and its clear that he wrote this song as a joke.

Heres the story:
Late one night Bob asked the Nashville band he was playin with "what do you guys do here?" and they replied "beer". Bob told them he had a new song but the refrain was "everybody must get stoned" and he refused to record the song with straight people so he sent Ed Gazzar to Irelands bar and he came back with a huge leprechaun cocktail for everyone in large milk shake cartons. Joints were passed arround and everyone was wiped out. On the original recording McCoy put a call thru to Wayne doc Butler who brought his trumpet down to the studio. The other musicians all swapped instruments which resulted in that raggy marchign band sound. Strzelecki gave his bass to al kooper and he played the piano but he couldnt work the pedals with his feet so he had to lay beside the piano and push them with his hands. The voice that you can hear braying with laughter is Strzecki on the piano. After the session in the contol room. Bob was asked "whats the name of this song", "rainy day women #12 & 35" this recording had no rehersals and was released as is.
Kayla from LondonPerhaps Dylan new what he was doing while he was writing the song. For the ignorant people who enjoy listening to the topical meaning of songs, he wrote it with a direct reference to getting high, and for those who enjoy his poetry, he wrote a deeper meaning. Dylan has said numerous times, in many interviews that he is "NOT a topical songwriter".....but to some people it doesn't matter if it comes directly from his mouth or not, they'll believe what they want to believe.
Riley from Naval Reserve, ScI think everyone is thinking to hard about it. I believe that this song was about oppresion and how everyone will be critisized in life, but because it has the term "stoned" in it, Dylan decided to poke fun at it. It is just a fun song that does have a deeper meaning to it, but is taken to a lighter note with the way it is played.
Barry from New York, NyAt Bob Dylan's 1969 Isle of wight concert, this song was the encore.
Steve from Fenton, MoIt's not uncommon for Bob Dylan to give a title to a song that makes absolutely no sense. If this song had some deep meaning and serious theme, I don't think Dylan would be laughing while he is singing it. This is Dylan's equivalent song to Chuck Berry's "My Dingaling".
Steve from Fenton, MoI like Dylan as much as most people...but PLEASE...this song IS about getting stoned (as in pot). It's a throw-away song that Dylan is no doubt embarrassed about. It uses a double meaning for stoning. All the lines about how a person gets persecuted followed by the chorus which is about getting stoned on pot. It sounds like the guy is messed up on something while he's recording it.
Chad from Reading, PaIt really pisses me off when people think this is about drugs. Dylan, of course, did use drugs and was starting to get into them pretty heavily around the time of the Blonde on Blonde sessions. But Dylan was not a man to write a song about pot. This song is clearly about oppression and women that will put you down. The line "But I would not feel so alone" has nothing to do with stoners liking to get high together. It's telling whoever Dylan is singing to that everybody is faced with this oppression in one way or another. Anyone that thinks this is about drug use is pretty ignorant IMO.
Maurice from Philly, PaI don't see why everyone thinks it's about smoking pot, listen to the song. They'll stone you noone matter what you do meaning people are going to hate and thrash you for everything you do. And everybody must get stoned I think means everyone is critizied in life, not just Bob. So if i might steal from ricky nelson "you can't please everybody so you mine as well please yourself"
Howard from St. Louis Park, MnEven though I like the song, I feel that the line "Everybody must get stoned" promotes drug use. Along with Positively Fourth Street, the title is not mentioned in the song.
David Corino from Hawley, PaIsent 5:15 (the Who, ooh yea) the time that the pot smockers get the last puff before they have to go?
Kayla from London, CanadaDid anyone stop to think, why would Bob Dylan call this song "rainy day woman" if it were about weed?? If the chorus is so obvious when saying 'everybody must get stoned' why wouldn't he also name the title a more obvious reference to weed if thats what it were really about
Dave from Ballarat, AustraliaThe 420 thing is not about drugs, if anything its a coincidence, its like saying there was a man on the grassy noll, of cause there was someone on the grassy noll, but they didnt shoot JFK.

Do you honestly believe bob dylan, the greatest poetic musician would make a line so obvious as "everyone must get stoned" to a drug refrence.

Mr. Tambourine man for instance-is so careful with the wording that if you deconstruct it you get the dealer relationship but otherwise you wouldnt have a clue.
Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI think it's about relationships and oppression, but it definitely makes sense why the song would be about drugs. Either way, it's hilarious!!!
Christa from Seattle, Wa People then had no clue what 420 was....12 and 35 were the two kinds of LSD then. You could have #12 or #35. Dylan was hanging around the factory a lot at this time and i'm sure everyone was doing LSD. Thats what it means.
Nathan from Defiance, OhWhat schools let out at 4:20? Anyway I think that Bob was simply using the term "stoned" because of it's double meaning, he probably meant getting stoned in the biblical sense of tribulation. He fully knew that people would read drug use into the term, so left it in. Many famous authors through time have used double meanings, so did many contemporary songwriters.
John from Oakland, MiAre you guys kidding? do not post a comment unless you know what you are talking about. the song was made in 1965, well before 1971. It is about being opressed and about being booed offstage at the newport folk festival in 1965 for playing the electric guitar. It is about how Dylan is trying to be innovative but people just stone him with their words. Nothing to do with marijuanna and because it was misconceived that it was about weed, april 20th became the unofficial stoner day.
Presley from Bronx, NyPrimary meaning was about getting high. The rainy day women are Mary and Juana. "Number" was a slang term for a marijuana cigarette. Secondary meaning could be anything.
Scott from Peoria , Ilthe song is definately about getting screwed over by women. bob dylan is a much deeper artist than to write such a blunt weed song. he may poke a little bit towards a double meaning with the line "everybody must get stoned." that is just so ignorant people who can't think past what is layed out before them, can enjoy the song too.
Brandon from Morristown, TnThe Black Crowes did a cover of this song on the album Hempilation:Freedom is NormL(Not a mistake btw)Its decent.And the album is about pot.
Scott from Middletown, You Know Tmi,, Pa420 has been around for much longer than 1974, wherever that random number came from, the day wasn't probally celebrated before that. But the history of 420 is that when a cop talks over the radio and the crime involves some kill they nick named it 420. It's been like that since 1960s so it's possible for that. But i don't see how it's against the government i think it's just about stoners with the lack of ambition they all seem to have and that the world is out to get me lets smoke pot motto.
Red from Toms River, NjToday the song would be called "Women with PMS ages 12 to 35". The term PMS wasn't used when Dylan wrote this. You know how women with PMS (rainy day women) will "stone you", "rag on you", "get in your face, or what ever you want to call it for just no reason. Like when you're just sitting at the breakfast table or when you're young and able". Hey, but you shouldn't feel all along (either male or a female) everyone must "get stoned". And everyone in the background is like yelling "you got that right, brother" "right on" and "how true that is". Not the exact words, but that's what they're meaning to say.
Vaughn from New York, NyLOL ok.. I wont fight it anymore.. BUT I am telling you as per High times. 4:20 came around in 1974.. BUT some other references to 4:20 The movie Refer madness had it copy right done on what date???...you got it April 20th 1936...LOL I mean who knows why all of this is like this. Then there is the Nursury Ryme "4 and 20 black birds baked in a pie".... LOL so .. I give up.. we are thinking WAY TOO MUCH about this.
Erik from Oc, CaI think this song is actually only about pot and drugs. Every line can be related to smoking pot. The main chorus EVerybody Must Get Stoned is how every stoner feels that if they are with someone they are getting stoned. Stoners actually like smoking pot with other people more than being alone and I know from experience that stoners never like smoking alone (unless they rely solely on drugs). Also, the line they'll stone you when you're trying to be so good is about how the slingers (dealers) always are asking u if u want any pot everytime the weekend comes along they've got a new brand or better bud, etc. If u need any more lines explained just ask.
Erik from Oc, CaListen man this is a song u cant look too far in2 its obviously about getting high and 4 20 was not started in 1974 its been around ever since the discovery of acid which was discovered way before dylans first album so there is definitely a drug reference and o yeah 4 20 is the time that I think his name is Hoffman took the first ever known acid so it couldve def been known at the time of this songs release so it is def about drugs while it also is about society and evrything that ppl were saying in previous posts. Case closed.
Vaughn from New York, NyThis might be a Pot song but the concidence of 12
times 35 = 420 CANT be for marijuana because the term "420" was not associated with pot until about
1974 when as high times puts it a group of high school students in california had the idea to make a code "4:20" for the time that they would get together after school and smoke pot. this was written in 1966 so it could not have to do with that.
Brett from Anchorage, Aki'm no expert on this, but little nuances of the english language change. for instance, being gay in the sixties meant you were happy. today it means something entirely different. in ac/dc's song "have a drink on me", he screams at the end "get stoned!" he's clearly is talking about drinking and not about smoking weed. i'm only 27, so i have no clue if my theory is true, but i don't think getting stoned meant the same thing forty years ago as it does today. in fact, i think that it might be the other way around. i think that bob dylan's popularity among pot smokers in the sixties may have caused this song to give the phrase "get stoned" it's new meaning. this of course is just an unproven theory, so if anyone has any real knowledge about this subject, please enlighten me. according to www.snopes.com, an urban legend website, the term "420" originated in 1971 which is 5 years after this songs copyright. so that the 12 x 35 = 420 theory is a bust.
Natasha from Chico, Caya, i think there is more than one meaning to the song, the obvious giddiness throughout the song resembles getting high, but then the actual lyrics are more like society being against each of its members. I think it's about both; in order to deal with being stoned by the system, "everybody must get stoned" with a puff puff.
Natasha from Chico, Caha, that's interesting that 12 x 35= 420. I always wondered why there was those numbers in the title, i just thought they were the # of women, in numerical order, that dylan knew.
Logan from Abilene, TxAlright, I'll throw my opinion in... stoned is in the Biblical sense, where people literally threw rocks at people for their crimes. Ever feel like everyone's taking aim at you, trying to bring you down in some way? They're trying to stone you man. Just my thoughts, read the lyrics and tell me it doesn't make sense though.
Kieran from Harlow, United StatesGreat song I love it! its just Dylan having fun with his own talents.
Sydbarrett from Oxford, EnglandDylan laughs and people hoot and shout throughout the song.There are clearly 2 meanings in the lyrics, but one of them certainly is in reference to getting high. I agree that the 2nd meaning is oppression (by women or otherwise).
R from Seattle, WaIt's a bit of a stretch to reject the possibility that the line "Everybody must get stoned" has the double meaning of getting high.

The other meaning is harder to define. The context of the lyrics makes it obvious that "they'll stone you..." is referring to some sort of oppression.

Personally, I think the title points to the interpretation that relationships with women involve them "stoning" you. Knock you for an emotional loop? The commitment feeling like a millstone around your neck? Nagging feeling like biblical stoning?

Someone must have seen a discussion of this elsewhere in articles about Bob Dylan.
Sarah from Salem, MaHa! 420. Of course, that doesn't mean that stoned can't have more than one meaning.
Mr.gatz from Waterville, Me12 times 35 is 420. what? o well i think this song is about the government stoning us and brainwashing us and stuff
Brian from Grand Forks, NdIt couldn't be that simple for Bob... There is more to the song then getting high... There has to be...

But, Consider this... Take Number 12 and Times it by Number 35 and what do you get???
Nick from San Francisco, Cacause being about drugs is just so unoriginal. Dylan was better than that.
Nick from San Francisco, CaI always thought "everybody must get stoned" had to do with the government and oppression and all that... no matter what you do, The Man is gonna get you.
Elliot from Ottawa, Canada"They'll stone you" doesn't mean they're gonna get you high. It's a reference to back in the old days when they used to chuck stones at criminals until they were dead. The song basically gives the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" impression. The song means that no matter what you do, someone won't like it.
Justin from Bakersfield, Cawell im sure its also possible to have two meanings in a song. You cant tell me that when Dylan wrote this the thought of getting stoned didnt happen. But Mike im sure is also write about the relationship meaning too.
Sarah from Whoville, Canadawell if you look at the song in context obviously its not talking about drugs. i think some people put a little more thought into there songs than just what they are using at the time
Justin from Bakersfield, Canah its about getting high..lol I belive when this song came out he was touring with the Band. Or perhaps it was before that. anyway correct me if im wrong. thanks

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Psycho KillerTalking Heads

The French part in Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" explains that the killer is going after a girl, like Norman Bates in the movie Psycho.

Dixie ChickenLittle Feat

The Dixie Chicks got their name from the Little Feat song "Dixie Chicken." In 2020 they became "The Chicks" because Dixie refers to the American South in times of slavery.

We Will Rock YouQueen

There are no actual drums on "We Will Rock You," just lots of foot stomping.

Anybody Seen My Baby?The Rolling Stones

k.d. lang is a credited writer on the Rolling Stones song "Anybody Seen My Baby?" because it sounds so much like her hit "Constant Craving."

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Independent Women Part IDestiny's Child

The Destiny's Child "Independent Women Part I" video was directed by the same guy who did the Hunger Games movies.