About the Song
“Hurricane” is a 1975 song by Bob Dylan, co-written with Jacques Levy. The song tells the story of the wrongful conviction of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter for the murder of two patrons at a bar in Lafayette, New Jersey, in 1966. The song was released as a single from Dylan’s 1976 album Desire.
“Hurricane” is a six-minute epic that blends elements of folk, rock, and blues. The song is narrated from the perspective of Carter, who describes the events leading up to his arrest, his trial, and his imprisonment. The song also features the voices of other characters in the story, including the two murder victims, the police officers who arrested Carter, and the witnesses who testified against him.
“Hurricane” is a powerful and moving song that has been praised for its social commentary and its poetic lyrics. The song has also been credited with helping to raise awareness of Carter’s case and with contributing to his eventual exoneration in 1988.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and Nobel Prize laureate. He is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and his songs have been covered by countless artists. Dylan’s career began in the early 1960s, when he emerged as a leading figure in the Greenwich Village folk scene. He soon became known for his poetic lyrics and his distinctive singing style.
Dylan’s music has evolved over the years, but he has always been known for his thought-provoking lyrics and his willingness to challenge conventions. He has been awarded numerous honors for his work, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016.
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter
Rubin “Hurricane” Carter was an American boxer who was wrongly convicted of murder in 1966. He spent nearly 20 years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 1988. Carter became a symbol of racial injustice and a champion of prisoners’ rights. He died in 2014 at the age of 76.
“Hurricane” is a powerful and moving song that tells the story of a man who was wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit. The song is a testament to the power of music to raise awareness of social injustice and to inspire hope in the face of adversity.
Additional Information
- “Hurricane” was covered by The Fugees on their 1996 album The Score.
- “Hurricane” was featured in the 1999 film The Hurricane, which tells the story of Rubin Carter’s life.
- “Hurricane” was ranked number 188 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.