The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."
"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."
"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
Lyrics submitted by T-Crash
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Before everyone yells at me for posting these lyrics, let me just say that Pearl Jam does a great cover of this in concert....now yell away.
i haven't actually listened to it but it probaly is good with eddie vededer vocals. jimi hendrix owned when he covered it though.
i haven't heard this cover, but for me the U2 cover in rattle and hum is the best.
I didn't like U2's cover much...it didn't seem earnest enough. I doubt that PJ's concert version is better than Hendrix's, but McCready is a more blues-based guitar player. The Edge is more of...well, what is the Edge? U2 went from arena rock to techno to back again.
Wow i didn't even know Pearl Jam covered this song, I've only just recently discovered them and i'm already a huge fan. All Along The Watchtower is one of my favourite songs and i'd love to hear this version. I would guess its good, judging by their other covers of legendary songs such as baba o riley, keep on rockin in the free world, masters of war and so on. I think they are one of very few bands that can do such songs justice, and in some cases improve on them.
P.S if you're a fan of this song in general you should check out dave matthews band's version.
yeah the hendrix version is the best and then probably the dmb version, after that i would say this version.
okay the dylan version is the best by far. i love hendrix and his version but dylan is amazing. secondly U2 sucks at life bono is jackass and no one likes him or his crappy rock. i haven't heard the pearl jam version but im sure it is a great cover they are easily the best grunge band. nirvana doesn't even come close.
PJ's cover live is amazing. For those who've not been to a live Pearl Jam show, it is indescribable in words.
This isn't technically by pearl jam. It's Eddie Vedder and the Million Dollar Bashers on the "I'm Not There" Soundtrack.
Read the other comments dude... PJ cover this live.<br />
Jesus even Dylan admitted Hendrix owns this song.
McCready pales in comparison, let the late great rest in peace.