Hurricane (Bob Dylan song)

"Hurricane" is a protest song by Bob Dylan, co-written with Jacques Levy, released in 1975. It tells the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a black boxer who was wrongly convicted of murder in 1966.

The song argues Carter's innocence and alleges racial bias and prosecutorial misconduct as reasons for his conviction. Dylan paints a vivid picture of the night of the murders and the subsequent investigation, highlighting inconsistencies in the witness testimonies and the lack of concrete evidence linking Carter to the crime.

The lyrics emphasize the injustice of Carter's imprisonment and call for his release. Dylan explicitly names specific individuals involved in the prosecution, accusing them of conspiring against Carter. The song's powerful narrative and Dylan's impassioned delivery made it an immediate success and a powerful statement on racial injustice in the American legal system.

The song was originally over eight minutes long, but it was shortened to around eight minutes for the Desire album after Columbia Records expressed concerns about its length and some of the factual claims. A shorter, edited version was also released as a single. Despite the edits, the song retained its impact and helped bring attention to Carter's case, ultimately contributing to his release from prison in 1985 after numerous appeals and legal challenges.

"Hurricane" remains one of Dylan's most politically charged and socially conscious songs, and a powerful example of using music as a platform for activism and social commentary.