About the song
**Introduction**
“Hurricane” stands as a powerful protest anthem by Bob Dylan, co-written with Jacques Levy and released in 1975. This gripping narrative ballad sheds light on the unjust imprisonment of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, highlighting racial discrimination and a flawed judicial system. Released as a single and featured on Dylan’s album *Desire*, the song not only stirred public awareness but also sparked controversy and legal battles due to its portrayal of real-life events.
**Background**
In 1966, Rubin Carter and John Artis were accused and convicted of a triple murder at the Lafayette Grill in Paterson, New Jersey. The case garnered widespread attention amid allegations of racial bias, unreliable witness testimonies, and mishandling of evidence. Despite maintaining their innocence, Carter and Artis faced a contentious legal battle that resulted in convictions.
Bob Dylan’s involvement with Carter’s case began after reading Carter’s autobiography, prompting a visit to Rahway State Prison. Struck by Carter’s story and the perceived injustices, Dylan was inspired to chronicle the boxer’s plight through music—a genre in which he had previously tackled social and political issues, albeit with a different approach.
**Composition and Controversy**
Co-written with Jacques Levy, “Hurricane” adopts a narrative style reminiscent of a screenplay, opening dramatically with vivid imagery and a direct storyline: “Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night…” This cinematic approach, coupled with Dylan’s distinctive folk-rock sound, helped amplify the song’s impact and narrative urgency.
However, the song faced legal challenges and controversy. Concerns over potentially defamatory references led Dylan to re-record portions of “Hurricane” with altered lyrics, despite the initial version featuring on the album *Desire*. Legal actions from individuals depicted in the song further underscored the contentious nature of its release and reception.
**Impact and Legacy**
Upon its release, “Hurricane” became a rallying cry for Rubin Carter’s supporters and a critical commentary on racial injustice in the judicial system. Dylan’s passionate delivery and the song’s stirring lyrics resonated deeply, prompting public discourse and advocacy efforts for Carter’s retrial.
The song’s influence extended beyond its initial release, contributing to Carter’s eventual release from prison in 1985 after a federal judge overturned his conviction. This legal victory marked a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against systemic racism and wrongful convictions.
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, “Hurricane” remains a testament to Bob Dylan’s ability to merge storytelling with social commentary, using music as a platform for justice and advocacy. Its depiction of Rubin Carter’s struggle against injustice continues to resonate, reflecting Dylan’s commitment to addressing pressing social issues through his artistry. As a poignant reminder of the power of music in social movements, “Hurricane” stands as a landmark protest song that continues to inspire and provoke thought on issues of race, justice, and the human experience.
Video
Lyrics
Pistol shots ring out in the barroom night
Enter Patty Valentine from the upper hall
She sees the 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 could-a 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 the 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
They 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 that he could identify the guilty men
Four in the mornin’ and they haul Rubin in
Take him to the hospital and they bring him upstairs
The wounded man looks up through his one dyin’ eye
Says, “Wha’d you bring him in here for? He ain’t the guy!”
Yes, 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 could-a 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 might-a 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.”
Cops said, “A poor boy like you could use a break
We got you for the motel job and we’re talkin’ to your friend Bello
Now you don’t wanta have to go back to jail, be a nice fellow
You’ll be doin’ society a favor
That sonofabitch 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.”
…