Bob Dylan’s Heartfelt Tribute: “Roll On, John” — A Song for a Lost Friend
Over the years, many musicians have paid tribute to John Lennon, the legendary Beatle whose music changed the world. But one tribute stands out as especially personal: Bob Dylan’s 2012 song “Roll On, John.” It’s more than just a tribute—it’s a goodbye from one musical giant to another.
Back in the 1960s, Dylan and Lennon were two of the biggest names in music. Their songs shaped a generation, and though they came from different sides of the Atlantic, they had a unique connection. They met a few times, shared deep conversations, and even introduced each other to new ideas—like the time Bob introduced John and the Beatles to marijuana, which John later referenced in his solo song “God.”
Even after Lennon’s tragic death on December 8, 1980, Dylan never forgot him. In fact, in 2009, during a European tour, Dylan quietly joined a small 13-person bus tour in Liverpool to visit Lennon’s childhood home in Woolton. No red carpet, no fanfare—just Bob, dressed like any regular tourist, slipping through John’s past like a curious friend revisiting old memories.
The house, preserved by the National Trust, was filled with details from Lennon’s early life: the furniture, the wallpaper, the energy of a boy destined to change the world. One place that struck a chord with Dylan was Strawberry Field, a nearby park John loved as a child and later immortalized in the Beatles’ song “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Dylan was especially drawn to the lyric: “Nothing to get hung about.” To him, it sounded like young John telling his mom not to worry, that everything would be okay. That moment stuck with him.
Years later, Dylan channeled all those memories and feelings into “Roll On, John.” The song traces Lennon’s journey—from a dreamy boy in Liverpool to a cultural icon in New York City. Dylan even weaved in bits of Beatles lyrics, like “Come together right now over me” and “I heard the news today, oh boy,” giving the tribute a sense of magic and deep connection.
Despite their fame and creative rivalry during the 1960s, Dylan always felt a bond with Lennon. In a 2012 Rolling Stone interview, he said:
“John grew up in the north of England, and I grew up in the north of America. We came from tough places. We were about the same age, and we both knew what it was like to fight for something bigger than yourself.”
He added, with real emotion:
“We understood each other. I miss him. I really wish he was still here.”
When someone asked Dylan how he wrote such a touching song, he replied simply:
“A person’s life holds so many stories. I just chose the ones I felt in my heart.”
And that’s exactly what “Roll On, John” is—a heartfelt thank-you, a farewell letter in song, and a celebration of a friend whose music will never fade. Whether you’re a kid discovering The Beatles for the first time or an adult who grew up with their records, Dylan’s tribute is a beautiful reminder of the power of friendship, music, and memory.
