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PROTO-RAP

Subterranean Homesick Blues

From Bringing It All Back Home (1965)

Key: A Major Tempo: 168 BPM Difficulty: Advanced Capo: None

Featured Performance

Iconic Cue Card Video

The Story Behind the Song

Often cited as a precursor to rap music, this rapid-fire song features machine-gun delivery influenced by Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business." The cue card video, filmed in an alley behind London's Savoy Hotel with Allen Ginsberg in the background, is considered the first modern music video.

The phrase "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" was adopted by the radical Weather Underground organization.

Guitar Chords

Chords used:

A D E

Playing Tips:

  • • Key of A Major, no capo needed
  • • Tempo: 168 BPM - practice with a metronome
  • • Difficulty: Advanced

More Performances

Quick Facts

Written:
1965
Recorded:
January 14, 1965
Released:
1965
Length:
2:21
Producer:
Tom Wilson

Official Lyrics

Read the complete lyrics on Bob Dylan's official website.

View Lyrics →

Notable Covers

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers 1988
  • Harry Nilsson 1968
  • The Wonder Stuff 1990

Recognition

  • • Pioneering music video
  • • Influenced hip-hop and punk

Related Songs

  • More songs coming soon