Bob Dylan – Hurricane

About the song

Released in 1975 as part of Bob Dylan’s critically acclaimed album Desire, “Hurricane” stands as one of the most powerful protest songs of the 20th century. Written by Dylan in collaboration with Jacques Levy, “Hurricane” tells the story of the wrongful conviction of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a man who was imprisoned for a triple murder he did not commit. The song is a striking example of Dylan’s ability to blend social activism with music, creating a powerful narrative that resonates even decades later.

“Hurricane” was written during a time of profound social unrest, both in America and globally, and its release came at a moment when civil rights issues and the question of racial justice were still very much at the forefront of national conversation. Rubin Carter, the subject of the song, was a promising middleweight boxer who was wrongfully accused and convicted of a 1966 triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey. After spending nearly two decades in prison, Carter was eventually released in 1985, his conviction overturned due to the lack of credible evidence. Dylan’s song chronicles the injustice Carter faced and paints a vivid picture of the racial prejudice that played a significant role in his conviction.

The song’s release came during a time when Dylan’s music had evolved, both sonically and thematically. The album Desire features a range of musical styles, from folk and rock to Caribbean rhythms, and “Hurricane” is one of the standout tracks that epitomizes Dylan’s masterful storytelling. With its driving rhythm, sharp lyrics, and raw emotional power, the song encapsulates Dylan’s frustration with the criminal justice system and his unwavering commitment to speak out against social injustice.

Lyrically, “Hurricane” is not just a recounting of events, but also an indictment of the systemic racism and corruption that led to Carter’s wrongful conviction. Dylan’s voice, urgent and impassioned, channels the fury of a man determined to expose the truth. The repetition of the chorus – “Here comes the story of the Hurricane, the man the authorities came to blame” – reinforces the song’s theme of injustice, while also building a sense of dramatic urgency.

“Hurricane” had a significant impact on both the music industry and society. While the song itself became an anthem for those seeking justice for Rubin Carter, it also served as a reminder of the broader racial injustices in America. In the years since its release, “Hurricane” has been covered by numerous artists and remains one of Dylan’s most iconic songs. Its relevance continues to this day, as it echoes the ongoing struggles for racial equality and justice in America. The song’s straightforward, yet powerful, narrative and its call for action captured the mood of the times, and its message still resonates with listeners who continue to fight for justice and equality.

In conclusion, “Hurricane” is not just a song, but a political statement, a piece of history, and a testament to Bob Dylan’s enduring power as an artist and an activist. It embodies the power of music to bring attention to social issues, raise awareness, and inspire change. Through this song, Dylan proved that music could be a powerful tool for activism, giving voice to those who are often silenced by systems of oppression. The song’s influence is still felt today, as it remains a timeless reflection on the impact of racial injustice in America.

Video

Lyrics

Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night
Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall
She sees a bartender in a pool of blood
Cries out, “my God, they killed them all”

Here comes the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin’ that he never done
Put in a prison cell, but one time he coulda been
The champion of the world

Three bodies lyin’ there, does Patty see
And another man named Bello, movin’ around mysteriously
“I didn’t do it” he says, and he throws up his hands
“I was only robbin’ the register, I hope you understand”

“I saw them leavin'” he says, and he stops
“One of us had better call up the cops”
And so Patty calls the cops
And they arrive on the scene
With their red lights flashin’ in a hot New Jersey night

Meanwhile, far away in another part of town
Rubin Carter and a couple of friends are drivin’ around
Number one contender for the middleweight crown
Had no idea what kinda shit was about to go down

When a cop pulled him over to the side of the road
Just like the time before and the time before that
In Paterson that’s just the way things go
If you’re black you might as well not show up on the street
‘Less you want to draw the heat

Alfred Bello had a partner and he had a rap for the cops
Him and Arthur Dexter Bradley were just out prowlin’ around
He said “I saw two men runnin’ out, they looked like middleweights
Jumped into a white car with out-of-state plates”
And Miss Patty Valentine just nodded her head
Cop said “Wait a minute, boys, this one’s not dead”
So they took him to the infirmary
And though this man could hardly see
They told him he could identify the guilty men

Four in the mornin’ and they haul Rubin in
They took him to the hospital and they brought him upstairs
The wounded man looks up through his one dyin’ eye
Say “Why’d you bring him in here for? He ain’t the guy”

Here’s the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For somethin’ that he never done
Put in a prison cell, but one time he coulda been
The champion of the world

Four months later, the ghettos are in flame
Rubin’s in South America, fightin’ for his name
While Arthur Dexter Bradley’s still in the robbery game
And the cops are puttin’ the screws to him, lookin’ for somebody to blame

“Remember that murder that happened in a bar?”
“Remember you said you saw the getaway car?”
“You think you’d like to play ball with the law?”
“Think it mighta been that fighter that you saw runnin’ that night?”
“Don’t forget that you are white”

Arthur Dexter Bradley said “I’m really not sure”
The cops said “A poor boy like you, could use this break
We got you for the motel job and we’re talkin’ to your friend Bello
You don’t want to have to go back to jail, be a nice fellow
You’ll be doin’ society a favor
That son of a bitch is brave and gettin’ braver
We want to put his ass in stir
We want to pin this triple murder on him
He ain’t no Gentleman Jim”

Rubin could take a man out with just one punch
But he never did like to talk about it all that much
“It’s my work” he’d say, “and I do it for pay
And when it’s over I’d just as soon go on my way”

Up to some paradise
Where the trout streams flow and the air is nice
And ride a horse along a trail
But then they took him to the jailhouse
Where they try to turn a man into a mouse

All of Rubin’s cards were marked in advance
The trial was a pig-circus, he never had a chance
The judge made Rubin’s witnesses drunkards from the slums
To the white folks who watched, he was a revolutionary bum

And for the black folks he was just a crazy nigger
No one doubted that he pulled the trigger
And though they could not produce the gun
The D.A. said he was the one who did the deed
And the all-white jury agreed

Rubin Carter was falsely tried
The crime was murder one, guess who testified?
Bello and Bradley and they both baldly lied
And the newspapers, they all went along for the ride

How can the life of such a man
Be in the palm of some fool’s hand?
To see him obviously framed
Couldn’t help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land
Where justice is a game

Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise
While Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell
An innocent man in a living hell

Yes, that’s the story of the Hurricane
But it won’t be over ’til they clear his name
And give him back the time he’s done
Put in a prison cell, but one time he coulda been
The champion of the world