Why are so many songs about rolling stones?

[@thinkorange5052]

You forgot to mention the last line of Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven: “When all is one and one is all, to be a rock and not to roll.”

[@maximumoccupancy]

That's a funny coincidence but I think it's clearly a reference to just "rock and roll"

[@ferdia748]

@@maximumoccupancy probably a double entendre

[@adamlane6453]

@@ferdia748 'cause you know sometimes words have two meanings.

[@revenant6371]

@@adamlane6453 i love you thank you sir

[@harshitkhanna7688]

@@adamlane6453 Legend

[@anuraggdeshpande286]

I was shocked when I learned rolling stones the band, the magazine and like a rolling stone had nothing in common

[@silverdragon710]

and I was shocked when I learned The Rolling Stones were British since everything else with that phrase is so American

[@NTWoo95]

@@silverdragon710when I was very very young I was shocked to learn that the Rolling Stones, Guns n Roses, and The Stone Roses were not the same band

[@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros9266]

@@NTWoo95 I was shocked to learn Bob Marley is not Jimi Hendrix and Prince.

[@silverdragon710]

@@NTWoo95 right another video should be made "why do musicians love roses so much" haha

[@hondaracer888]

Pretty sure they all had being a Muddy Waters fan in common.

[@PatTriesAgain]

he's asking the real questions right here

[@buhtv69dude]

Xacly, thats the typa shit i be thinkin

[@pchelovekPV]

the real questions asking he's right here

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

I've literally Always wanted to know this but?...who in TF do you ask??....and now I know, my life seems a little more complete.

[@skyllalafey]

The Temptations were a fantastic group; "and when he died, all he left me was alone" is a great line.

[@paulgordon6949]

Yeah for sure. One of my favourites.

[@paulsansonetti7410]

I thought it was " all he left us ,was a loan " JK

[@adonaiyah2196]

@@paulsansonetti7410 no i seriously thought it was

[@ebmax55]

@@paulsansonetti7410I thought that for years

[@SoulSonder26]

Them and The Four Tops just cranked out hit after hit after hit. Def two of my favorite groups

[@monkey07reese]

I'll never get tired of these intros. That beat is just so hard. I love this channel. He always goes so deep into his stories.

[@OtreborDrevka]

By its own, a stone can only roll downhill. One of my teachers told me that once

[@Untilitpases]

Wise man.

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

That is what they want you to think in order to make you conform to society

[@quasimondo1933]

But how did the stone get up the hill in the first place?

[@Chancechancechancechancechance]

​@@quasimondo1933you don't have to go uphill to go downhill! It's all relative to where the stone started

[@lakrids-pibe]

Everything Everywhere All at Once

[@chaosof99]

You could argue that the motif of a rolling stone resonates with the term "Rock n' Roll" itself, considering a rock is just a large stone. Of course the phrase is more with the physical act of rocking back and forth. I also want to mention the song 転がる岩、君に朝が降る (Korogaru Iwa, Kimi ni Asa ga Furu) by japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation. The name is officially translated as "Rock'n Roll, Morning Light Falls on You", but the first part could be more directly translated as "Rolling Rock" or perhaps "Rolling Stone".

[@PlanetC64]

Yesssssss!

[@jonahkhalley]

In a way it's like the phrase itself is a rolling stone, moving from meaning to meaning without ever getting completely attached to any one.

[@jamesveronese6519]

This is why I love this channel. What other channel would make a video on this?

[@Genny-Zee]

My channel probably but you wouldn’t have heard of me would you 😅

[@samac4323]

Middle 8 - Trash Theory - Mic The Snare - Alfo Media

[@asparagusnoodle]

@@samac4323Vox too

[@Wifesitter]

Roger Waters always loved stone metaphors ("Dogs" ends with a pretty epic line about being dragged down by the stone), but he used "Help me roll away the stone" as early as 1969 in "The Crying Song." His usage almost always seems to consider the stone as a burden.

[@hallamhal]

That's more of a religious reference, in the bible when Jesus rose from the dead he's supposed to have rolled away the stone that covered the entrance to his tomb The Mott the Hoople song Roll Away the Stone is pretty epic too, one of my favourite bits of wall-of-sound glam rock

[@randomguyontheinternet7940]

Isn't there also a stone line in The Wall or Final Cut?

[@jasonjarnet8141]

One of my favourite rolling stone lyrics is on Sublime's Same in The End " Daddy was a rolling rolling stone, he rolled away one day and he never came home"

[@jasonjarnet8141]

Wow I literally commented this thinking you wouldn't mention it cause it was too recent 😂

[@guilhermeruon2879]

I love Music...I love History...therefore, I love Polyphonic!!!! Great content!!!!

[@hunterwalwaski1794]

This is what video essays are all about! Awesome piece.

[@AlsonamedDennis]

The Temptations were thinking, "y'all don't hear me, you just wanna dance," long before outkast.

[@atomead]

I'm from Liège ... Never thaught it would feature in one of your videos. Mind Blown

[@troy550]

I think the development of how we perceived the phrase is because of how society has evolved. The main reason we’re as successful as a species as we are now is because of the community we shared and ability to fit in but the only way to move forward now is to be a rolling stone and celebrate our differences

[@EclecticoIconoclasta]

I don´t think we have to "celebrate" our differences as much as just respect them. On the other hand humanity is on the brink of social collapse and even extinction because of climate change. We cannot think we can keep the capitalist system and politics as they exist right now

[@troy550]

@@EclecticoIconoclasta I can understand that. I agree that we can’t keep the political and economic systems in place, but I think it’s important to celebrate differences over just respect them, but respect should be the bare minimum. The reason I say celebrate over respect is because celebrating someone’s individuality will encourage them to go on their own path more than just respecting their decision, if they’re a scientist or singer or whatever then celebrating them will push for more improvement than just acknowledging it

[@stevelanemusic4463]

Noah, you knocked another one out of the park. Excellent as always. 😁💙😁

[@darksu6947]

He totally hit a touchdown.

[@densoss]

Here in Mexico we have two good examples: -Las Piedras Rodantes (The Rolling Stones) by the rock and roll legendary band El Tri - El Rey (The King) by José Alfredo Jiménez one of the most important composers of our country. Lyrics: I have no throne or Queen nobody understands me but i still being the King One STONE on the way teach me that mi destiny was ROLL and ROLL

[@Joe-em2pg]

Las piedras rodando se encuentran Y tú y to algún día nos habremos de encontrar Mientras tanto cuídate Y que te bendiga Dios....

[@densoss]

@@Joe-em2pg no hagas nada malo que no hiciera yo

[@Wegothacked]

Du du du du du

[@Chago0831]

Was about to comment this

[@2312uri]

Rodar y rodar... Rodar y rodar...

[@ryanhastie7693]

I have regularly thought of this topic and had never been satisfied with my research. Thanks for scratching that itch.

[@tvviewer4500]

I didn’t know what cool was until I saw muddy waters invite The Rolling Stones on the checkers stage in 1981. See the performance of baby, please don’t go and see a nervous Keith Richard’s as a bonus.

[@NameOfTheChannel]

8:45 Holy shit. Rock. Roll. My mind is blown.

[@reloadcrossbow9281]

Not sure if this its true but I like to think that the phrase "rock and roll" also comes from the phrase "a rolling stone gathers no moss" and that the rock itself means both rock music and also a literal rock.

[@silverdragon710]

it comes from a type of dance where people rocked back and forth

[@ourkidof91]

It’s a rock, that is rolling. A rolling stone if you will.

[@mcolville]

This is a great video, great thesis, great research, great subject. Loved it.

[@AlsonamedDennis]

I'm excited for more Ratcatchers, when you get around to it. Be well, and merry Christmas, Matt.

[@maxkline3395]

Best music/music history content on KZbin. Love every second

[@driftwoodpile]

Can't overlook the great Robin Trower's proverb laden number "Too rolling stoned"

[@aquin3066]

There's a song from the Mexican band El Tri called "Las Piedras Rodantes", which literally means "The Rolling Stones". In this case, the song is more about how life can separate people, but in the end they find each other again. The chorus is "Las piedras rodando se encuentran, y tú y yo algún día unos habremos de encontrar" or "The rolling stones find each other, and one day we'll meet again".

[@Robertodette]

a rolling stone gathers no moss, hints at a rootless wandering existence, with echoes of kerouac and a sense of freedom that motivated the counter culture that adopted the phrase in many ways

[@pablouribe8218]

it even transcends the language barrier, arguably the biggest Mexican rock classic "Las Piedras Rodantes" (literally translates to "The Rolling Stones") handles very similar subjects

[@thecryingshame]

Best video from this channel in a while.

[@Logan_Irrelevant]

Dude your videos are unparalleled. Never seen anybody pull of such a well edited and well captured aesthetic through editing and storytelling. Far out man! 4:3 supremacy

[@awalsh4736]

A video on Labor music would be awesome, Joe Hill and others wrote some great songs

[@unconventionalcreativity5970]

I am so thankful that you decided to voice your opinion about music, it’s down to Earth and comforting. You should do a video on SUBLIME. It’d be a fine edition to the expanse of videos.

[@yoyopenisbig4299]

No

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

I had never asked myself the question, but I definitely enjoyed the exploration of the topic.

[@MagneticDonut]

Thank you for sharing my dude

[@gaelsandoval115]

In Mexico exist a band called "El Tri" which also has a song called "Las piedras rodantes" - "The rolling stones"

[@hugolouessard3914]

Your videos are so good, it's always a pleasure. Soon the million subs for you, it's more than deserved

[@tecpaocelotl]

Papa was a rolling stone Wherever he laid his hat was his home And when he died, all he left us was alone

[@daviseabragrossi9161]

Any Brazilians around? In Brazil, we have one specific song that mentions a "rolling stone". It's Lupicínio Rodrigues' "Vingança" (revenge). The song says: she shall ramble like the stones that roll on highways without a place to call home. So, again, that confirms your thesis that it is an image used worldwide. I love your videos!!!! Thank you!

[@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv]

Muito bom. Lupicínio Rodrigues é fantástico.

[@Ihatehavetopickupusernames]

Não conheço, obrigado por apresentar.

[@thescoobymike]

I mean, it's literally called "ROCK AND ROLL"

[@bobbyschannel349]

Muddy Waters' song is a significant reference point for the term "rolling stone" in the context of modern music, it's possible that earlier influences and references existed in literature, folk culture, and earlier songs. The term evolved and was adapted by different artists over time, contributing to its rich history in American music and culture.

[@msp5138]

I have NEVER heard any musicians say they were a fan of the Rolling Stones And I said "musicians", not "rock stars"

[@TheDamianvain17]

It's hard to pick a favorite video from this channel.

[@MrLIVE150]

YOUR WORK IS SUBLIME !

[@gearandalthefirst7027]

3:56 fascinated by this random picture of a camel-back locomotive. They were extremely unpopular because they kind of suck really bad, there weren't that many of them built relatively speaking and it's just cosmically unlikely that it would end up immortalized in this video that has otherwise nothing at all to do with trains.

[@robcinq5956]

Can't forget the great icon Donnie Klang "I guess I'm just a rolling stone' 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@christophersmaby8485]

Joe Hill inspiring music is a fact that I didn't know I needed. Don't mourn, organize!

[@larry1824]

After all this time they're still here and still rocking

[@noexll8266]

Asking the real questions

[@splashofun]

Another good vid, Noah. If you're a little "Out Of The Box", like me, you can see a little of this in the music title, "Rock & Roll".

[@benjaminphelps561]

I was just talking to a coworker about this this morning, you are a wizard

[@bradyblackburn7877]

Sisyphus approves of this post.

[@thomaswilliams2273]

Thank you. Now I understand the reference in Joan Baez's son Joe Hill from Woodstock (1969) that I never bothered looking up myself.

[@abesapien9930]

Because we live in the Age of Sisyphus.

[@peterdelamothe254]

Terrific to tie in joe hill and Dylan great vid!!!

[@petakucas7389]

Rolling Stone gathers no Moss. Never gets old

[@dicedeacon]

I think it's just going to become the common slang term for any musician over time

[@dsxa918]

It's older than slang, in its allegorical significance. Solid and transient, yeow, and I'm not even saying as much as I understand. Let alone the 'kick rocks' derivative or 'getting stoned'.

[@dicedeacon]

@@dsxa918 bro?

[@flomccanuck8095]

@@dsxa918 💯

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

"Rolling stones" means transporting your testicles by car

[@beback_]

Or train

[@jamesallard7223]

Rolling a stone up a hill, only to see it roll back down, and forever be trapped in the repetition of the effort with no gain other than finishing it. It is that moment, according to Camus, that Sisyphus is happy. Robert Johnson was a travelling bluesman, and he called out the hellhounds on his trail. The travelling musician is by definition going to be absent from home and family; there is no way around it. But, one has bills to pay, and for the traveller, it is back to the road, to roll that stone one more time.

[@diegosaavedra3267]

Everyperson who listens a ton of music has this question at some point, thanks for the answer!

[@bradyreed2822]

Please do a video on Sublime. I would love to see you cover such a fantastic band.

[@MaxTovstyiMusic]

Cool video as always, feels like I am the stone watching it from an inside the sphere

[@josephsolowyk7697]

Nice of Big Joel to narrate this.

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

And here I thought the proverb was about someone continually doing something so they don’t get rusty and for consistency

[@Blastertronus]

So Joe Hill pulled a Thanatos gambit with a single poem?

[@jtduarte7866]

I had actully thought about it many times being a Rock fan coupled with being from southern Europe. Great video!

[@Alltheworldisafamily]

This idea was always around in my head and also found it funny that metal is just harder rock.

[@flomccanuck8095]

Nice one:) ergo Heavy Metal

[@Eff_Marti]

Noah, while this video is, as all of your crafts, a very entertaining masterpiece of musical history, I feel it does a disservice to the metaphor by "trademarking" it to a specific timeline, so to speak, as opposed to pointing out how nature-inspired metaphors exist as an essence out there in the world, for humans to timelessly re-discover with their own abstraction. I'm not implying those artists didn't build up on each other, but there are other cultural upbringings apart from that of the USA culture... I'm a Mexican songwriter and write songs in Spanish, or should I say I improvise and capture them. A metaphor on one of them translates to "the heavy stones of old walked paths come rolling, the sky's pouring over the floor, they reach the sea... mean gravity" I never heard any of these songs on my developmental years leading up to that conception, but I grew up next to a Rapids river and rolling stones are a natural phenomenon too obvious to miss, you can hear them every waking moment. Still, I'm aware your line of work centers around your own language, heritage, geographic context and cultural upbringing, and at that, you're the best at what you do, and my favourite KZbin channel without a doubt. Keep up the amazing content

[@benroseboom3975]

Most most excellent. Next artists to explore : Neil Diamond (what's harder than rock..), Supertramp, Gerry Rafferty, Gorillaz, Arcade Fire, Beach Boys, Genesis, The Guess Who, Tool, and Queens of the Stone Age.... your list is unending my friend and your content perpetually great.

[@knorkstea606]

Megadeth!

[@Saybleu]

Polyphonic is an absolute wonderful channel

[@eduliborio8]

What an interesting video! Great work as always!

[@oriontsehai3570]

Such an insightful video. Thank you!

[@fernandomunozleon]

This is truly a conceptual history of "rolling stone" in the vein of Reinhart Koselleck's Begriffsgeschichte.

[@ollypebble]

ok. heard this phrase in a lyric today. had a momentary thought of another song by the same artist i was listening to (Passenger) also about a rolling stone, something about his girlfriend wanting him to come home, found it coincidental and thought no more of it ...they definitely chipped me yeah.

[@zramsey11]

Honestly thought it was going to be a reference to the myth of Sisyphus - rolling a stone up a mountain only for it to roll back down.

[@antoniolucas98]

and Belchior said "my father never said 'she's leaving home' again, and hit the road like a rolling stone"

[@mrfister1899]

Did you write your theme music? Is there a full length version. I really like it 👌

[@Polyphonic]

My boy Pracs wrote it: soundcloud.com/pracs/fourban

[@MrThedonhead]

How old is your son to write music? You sound young lol he must be talented

[@Elven.]

well... I thought it was self evident : Rock n' Roll

[@chandlerdukes1790]

You do amazing work sir, job well done, I love all your videos ❤💯

[@jacksonsenter5784]

I think about this so much thank you for making a video about this

[@austincosman2907]

Never thought a Polyphonic video would teach me that Lost Highway isn’t originally by Hank

[@ForNarniamon]

I loved this video thank you!

[@loaded5138]

Finally my questions have been answered.

[@williamfmj]

i’d like a playlist to listen to that features all the songs you covered in the video and any other song that features the concept of a rolling stone

[@briandash1351]

As far as I can tell, everybody gets this wrong. A rolling stone is a heavy cylindrical stone that is used to flatten and compress the earth below it. It is like a heavy rolling pin, with a handlebar to control it. The emphasis is on the word "rolling", not on "stone".

[@snutigimenez5431]

I always had the theory that it had to be with rolling a joint. And that's why the Rolling Stones logo is a seductive tongue

[@carolinatabr]

Um vídeo sobre os Temptations seria sensacional, ou ainda sobre Motown em geral eu também adoraria

[@ZackAngelMusic]

Let me tell you all something... The band didn't even have a name and they got a gig. Thats just how much venues wanted bands back then.

[@ArchiduquesaMA]

I got reminded of the end of stairway when it says "to be a rock and not to roll"

[@sschmidtevalue]

Mythbusters once tested the literalness of the proverb. It was a lengthy experiment.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

7:41 Famous composer Maurice Ravel making a cameo appearance...

[@oscurmyerotis8244]

I would love to see you do a video on The Lonesome Crowded West By Modest Mouse

[@donovandownes5064]

my dad made the connection between "rolling stone" and "rock and roll". roll=rolling, rock=stone

[@JackDevaney]

Really interesting video! Also my dad plays Anubis in parts 2 and 3 of The Sandman :)

[@Andrews_VT]

MF Doom also has a verse about his papa being a rolling stone.

[@trevorjones8969]

Excellent. Just a thought. For us white Brits who catch only the odd clip, someone might want to do a history/breakdown of the 'Soul Train' show. I know little about it, but I know it was important. And I love anytime I see one of those clips. Like I said, just a thought. x

[@josephb404]

Man should do a video dedicated to the expert song writing of hank williams

[@o_enamuel]

"Don't look a gift horse in tge mouth" still exists in Portuguese "Cavalo dado não se olha os dentes", roughly the same message: gifts shouldn't complained about.

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

Even the term “rock and roll” sound similar to “rolling stone”

[@nicovaldez905]

Polyphonic? Talking about the Weeknd? I think we need more of that.

[@simonpijnenburg4406]

Is that Ravel at 7:43?