It had been a long time since Bob Dylan had found himself as the avatar of protest music by the time 1975 rolled around. Much of the rage directed at his pivot into rock music included a feeling that a generation of young people were losing their popular political voice, as Dylan was probably the biggest factor contributing to the protest oriented folk music of the early-sixties. As it turns out it this side of Dylan was merely taking a hiatus, as his protest roots would come out dressed in their full powers for one of Dylan’s most enraged songs, “Hurricane.”
“Hurricane” details the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, who was found guilty of a triple homicide in an improper trial that became a massive scandal of the era. The incident in question involved a shooting that occurred in a Paterson, New Jersey bar that left three people dead. There was a general disdain for Carter, who lived in the area, and much of his conviction was upheld by the testimonies of two men who were committing a robbery nearby. Despite no forensic evidence linking Carter to the murder, he was found guilty in a heavily-biased trial.
This narrative is detailed throughout the eight minute classic Dylan would go on to write, which became one of his most revered songs, even being ranked 39th on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs” list.
Dylan would go on to tour the song at multiple benefit concerts to try and raise money for a re-trial of Carter. The public outrage generated in large part from the song’s success spawned a long road of retrials that eventually lead to Carter being released in 1985.
The story really highlights the powers music can have when wielded for good. It’s also a really great Dylan song, featuring some really great instrumentation, and a look into what Dylan’s lyrics can look like at their most straightforward and literal. It’s an important chapter in one of the greatest careers in music history.
Related: 1958 Classic Rock Song, Made Famous in ‘Back to the Future,’ Was Sent to Space to Represent Humanity
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