"Don't wanna judge nobody, don't wanna be judged,
Don't wanna touch nobody, don't wanna be touched.
Don't wanna hurt nobody, don't wanna be hurt,
Don't wanna treat nobody like they was dirt."
"But if you do right to me, baby,
I'll do right to you, too.
Ya got to do unto others
Like you'd have them, like you'd have them, do unto you."
Do Right To Me Baby (Do Unto Others) - Slow Train Coming - 1979
If you guys don't mind, I'll add one of my own.
Don't wanna to rule nobody, don't wanna be ruled.
Don't wanna to conquer nobody, don't want be conquered
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Talking to me?
"While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in."
It's Alright Ma, (I'm Only Bleeding) - Bringing it All Back Home - 1965
A friend asked me to send along some "angry" Dylan lyrics to help her escape and find some solace in a bitter twist of fate. Thankfully angry Dylan songs are like Dylan protest songs, that is, by his own account they're all protest songs (and I'd add they're all angry).
What hit me in unexpectedly was my second time reading through this verse and realizing it may just describe yours truly but perhaps that's just external pressure on all of us. Its OK to bend to society's pliers... just gotta make sure you don't break.
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in."
It's Alright Ma, (I'm Only Bleeding) - Bringing it All Back Home - 1965
A friend asked me to send along some "angry" Dylan lyrics to help her escape and find some solace in a bitter twist of fate. Thankfully angry Dylan songs are like Dylan protest songs, that is, by his own account they're all protest songs (and I'd add they're all angry).
What hit me in unexpectedly was my second time reading through this verse and realizing it may just describe yours truly but perhaps that's just external pressure on all of us. Its OK to bend to society's pliers... just gotta make sure you don't break.
Friday, February 13, 2009
And The Locusts Sang
Its that time of the year again and here I am once again without a valentine, but its all good, as Bob would say, life sometimes must get lonely. Dylan provides some relief though, for anyone is ever felt that right feeling inside his words reignite that flame, and even if you don't feel towards someone at the moment you can capture the essence of love in your soul like a memory passed down from The Giver. Here's just two examples:
"If not for you,
Winter would have no spring,
Couldn't hear the robin sing,
I just wouldn't have a clue,
Anyway it wouldn't ring true,
If not for you."
If Not For You - New Morning - 1970
"To be alone with you
At the close of the day
With only you in view
While evening slips away
It only goes to show
That while life's pleasures be few
The only one I know
Is when I'm alone with you."
To Be Alone With You - Nashville Skyline - 1969
"If not for you,
Winter would have no spring,
Couldn't hear the robin sing,
I just wouldn't have a clue,
Anyway it wouldn't ring true,
If not for you."
If Not For You - New Morning - 1970
"To be alone with you
At the close of the day
With only you in view
While evening slips away
It only goes to show
That while life's pleasures be few
The only one I know
Is when I'm alone with you."
To Be Alone With You - Nashville Skyline - 1969
Friday, February 6, 2009
Desolation Row
After listening to "Desolation Row" about 6 times in a row I have concluded that I will never attempt to dissect, interpret, understand or decipher any part of this song because its way to heavy and sometimes it gives me nightmares of a freak show circus on acid in which Dylan is urinating on the "American Dream". Well I guess I just put one idea out there but that is it. For the sake of our sanity I think we should all leave it alone. Why am I so afraid of this song ? Am I sniffing drainpipes on...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Stop Pickin' on the Jews
After a long hiatus from society I am returning with a simple thought on a great tune. After being thrown into Ryan Adams complete catalog and solving and great dilemma by concluding "Wonderwall" by Oasis is my favorite song of all time, I feel it I can now refocus on Bob Dylan. Thank you.
Chach
Album-Infidels
I won't lie, I never attempted to connect with this song until Al threw it out there one day. Interesting enough we are talking about the Jews here man. Leave them be. It will never cease to be an international debate and they will always be wrong. Israel and Palestine are still in the gird lock they were in over 25 years ago when this record was dropped. Here we go again. Bob writing a timeless classic from a non-scholar point of view that will soak into the minds of any open minded human once they are exposed. I don't think the song is limited to just Israel. It's also a statement for Jews in the diaspora as well. Similar to Africans (which Bob also had incredible insight on) they have faced persecution no matter what they accomplish. Overcoming socio-economic and inherently racist and prejudiced institutions. Thanks to Bob for writing this tune. That's all I really have to say. I'll be getting back into the swing of things. Its "Blonde On Blonde" time again.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
dignity was the first to leave
dignity is one of my favorite latter day dylan
songs. originally recorded in 1989 for oh mercy,
it's official release would wait five more years,
appearing in '94 on greatest hits vol.3, then a
live version from 1995's mtv unplugged set.
twenty years ago, bob dylan was on the verge.
to many he was on the verge of has been, what
was no longer, let alone what might be.
but there was something else in the wind, that
being the unexpected success of the traveling
wilbury's and oh mercy. while not a return to
any of the previous vintages, it could be called
a "brand new bob dylan."
dignity is a tune that draws you in with a driving
rhythm, and lyrics of world weary searching:
maybe that's part of the reason he kept moving,
changing, even keeping some of his best work from
release, perhaps sabotaging some of his later studio
recordings, to remain, in a way, under the radar.
dignity and the electric blind willie mctell(left off of
infidels) are only two prime examples. because even
in the 80's a new bob dylan album MEANT SOMETHING
to the critics and fans who wanted the most out of bob
every time, and probably expected a return to the glories
of past achievements. this kind of hunger was something
that the free man in bob dylan never wanted any part of.
it could be said that dylan had been looking for dignity
throughout his career, only to find that his art became
another thing entirely in the rabid hands of the public.
and i guess i'm just as guilty as anyone on that score.
not a parasite, and i'll go out and say a
prayer for him."
if you want to read an excellent book on
the recordings of bob dylan, check out
"Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions" by
Clinton Heylin. it's still in print and was
recently updated into the new millenium.
songs. originally recorded in 1989 for oh mercy,
it's official release would wait five more years,
appearing in '94 on greatest hits vol.3, then a
live version from 1995's mtv unplugged set.
twenty years ago, bob dylan was on the verge.
to many he was on the verge of has been, what
was no longer, let alone what might be.
but there was something else in the wind, that
being the unexpected success of the traveling
wilbury's and oh mercy. while not a return to
any of the previous vintages, it could be called
a "brand new bob dylan."
dignity is a tune that draws you in with a driving
rhythm, and lyrics of world weary searching:
"I went down where the vultures feed
I would've gone deeper, but there wasn't any need
Heard the tongues of angels and the tongues of men
Wasn't any difference to me"the vultures had tried to feed on dylan many times.maybe that's part of the reason he kept moving,
changing, even keeping some of his best work from
release, perhaps sabotaging some of his later studio
recordings, to remain, in a way, under the radar.
dignity and the electric blind willie mctell(left off of
infidels) are only two prime examples. because even
in the 80's a new bob dylan album MEANT SOMETHING
to the critics and fans who wanted the most out of bob
every time, and probably expected a return to the glories
of past achievements. this kind of hunger was something
that the free man in bob dylan never wanted any part of.
it could be said that dylan had been looking for dignity
throughout his career, only to find that his art became
another thing entirely in the rabid hands of the public.
and i guess i'm just as guilty as anyone on that score.
"Someone showed me a picture and I just laughed
Dignity never been photographed
I went into the red, went into the black
Into the valley of dry bone dreams
So many roads, so much at stake
So many dead ends, I'm at the edge of the lake
Sometimes I wonder what it's gonna take
To find dignity"
in other words,"name me someone who'snot a parasite, and i'll go out and say a
prayer for him."
if you want to read an excellent book on
the recordings of bob dylan, check out
"Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions" by
Clinton Heylin. it's still in print and was
recently updated into the new millenium.
Monday, January 19, 2009
ghost of anonymity
most casual dylan fans probably didn't know
"i'm not there" (the song), before the release
of the film of the same name,but this tiny gem,
hidden deep within the basement tapes(not the
officially released basement tapes), reveals its
beauty and passion quietly, while placing itself
firmly into the "haunted by love and confusion"
canon evidenced throughout bob's career.
"no i don't belong to her
i don't belong to anybody
she's my prize forsaken angel
but she don't care she cries
she's a lone-hearted mystic and she can carry on"
the idea that freedom has it's price in the hunger of
longing, all the while knowing that love is not possession,
and loss can make you both weak and strong , all themes
explored on blood on the tracks, time out of mind, desire,etc.
"now i'll cry tonight, like i cried the night before
and i'll feast on her eyes
but i'll dream about the door
so long, jesus, savior, blind faith worth to tell
it don't have consolation she's my fair thee well"
much like the narrator(s) of don't think twice and isis,
the storyteller wanders once again through time
and space and mind, knowing that loneliness
and emptiness can be self-imposed, and choices
are not always bad or good, right or wrong, coupled
with the hope that he'll get back there one day, and the
next time it will work out, or at least work out differently.
as in "like a rolling stone" the question is directed inward,
"how does it feel?"
"and i'm also hesitating by temptation lest it runs
which it don't follow me
but i'm not there, i'm gone"
in other words,"the only thing i knew how to do..."
if you have yet to rundown a copy of the five disc
genuine basement tapes, make it a priority. if you
love dylan, it's absolutely essential.
"i'm not there" (the song), before the release
of the film of the same name,but this tiny gem,
hidden deep within the basement tapes(not the
officially released basement tapes), reveals its
beauty and passion quietly, while placing itself
firmly into the "haunted by love and confusion"
canon evidenced throughout bob's career.
"no i don't belong to her
i don't belong to anybody
she's my prize forsaken angel
but she don't care she cries
she's a lone-hearted mystic and she can carry on"
the idea that freedom has it's price in the hunger of
longing, all the while knowing that love is not possession,
and loss can make you both weak and strong , all themes
explored on blood on the tracks, time out of mind, desire,etc.
"now i'll cry tonight, like i cried the night before
and i'll feast on her eyes
but i'll dream about the door
so long, jesus, savior, blind faith worth to tell
it don't have consolation she's my fair thee well"
much like the narrator(s) of don't think twice and isis,
the storyteller wanders once again through time
and space and mind, knowing that loneliness
and emptiness can be self-imposed, and choices
are not always bad or good, right or wrong, coupled
with the hope that he'll get back there one day, and the
next time it will work out, or at least work out differently.
as in "like a rolling stone" the question is directed inward,
"how does it feel?"
"and i'm also hesitating by temptation lest it runs
which it don't follow me
but i'm not there, i'm gone"
in other words,"the only thing i knew how to do..."
if you have yet to rundown a copy of the five disc
genuine basement tapes, make it a priority. if you
love dylan, it's absolutely essential.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Captain Arab's Pick
Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast
I'm drownin' in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothin' but affection for all those who've sailed with me
Mississippi - Love and Theft - 2001
Many iconic artists are great for a decade or two and legendary artists are great for three, but Dylan crafted this gem in his fourth decade (nearly his fifth!).
His much maligned late career voice is clear and expressive and really I don't think he could make this song work earlier in his career. It has that feeling of infinite experience, of a man who's been through it all and just keeps on keeping on. Its the best explanation of why he keeps performing at such a breakneck speed with so little to accomplish, like MJ in basketball, its his element, where things makes sense and he can communicate who he is and what he believes in.
As for this lyric, it encapsulates my place in life right now perfectly. For better or worse I'm in the District of Columbia (moving from the east village), a place I don't really belong but I feel light and free for I can see the depth of possibility ahead of me and the friends I have are as good as it gets. If I'm going to go down, I'm atleast happy with the boat I'm on.
I'm drownin' in the poison, got no future, got no past
But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free
I've got nothin' but affection for all those who've sailed with me
Mississippi - Love and Theft - 2001
Many iconic artists are great for a decade or two and legendary artists are great for three, but Dylan crafted this gem in his fourth decade (nearly his fifth!).
His much maligned late career voice is clear and expressive and really I don't think he could make this song work earlier in his career. It has that feeling of infinite experience, of a man who's been through it all and just keeps on keeping on. Its the best explanation of why he keeps performing at such a breakneck speed with so little to accomplish, like MJ in basketball, its his element, where things makes sense and he can communicate who he is and what he believes in.
As for this lyric, it encapsulates my place in life right now perfectly. For better or worse I'm in the District of Columbia (moving from the east village), a place I don't really belong but I feel light and free for I can see the depth of possibility ahead of me and the friends I have are as good as it gets. If I'm going to go down, I'm atleast happy with the boat I'm on.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Rebellion Continued
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only.
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - Bringing it All Back Home - 1965
Haha. Enough Said.
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only.
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - Bringing it All Back Home - 1965
Haha. Enough Said.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Let Him Be
I don't want to fake you out,
Take or shake or forsake you out,
I ain't lookin' for you to feel like me,
See like me or be like me.
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you.
All I Really Want To Do - Another Side of Bob Dylan - 1964
The lyrics here resonate with me on a daily basis. Its not so much leave me alone, as it is let me be who I am. There is so much pressure (direct and indirect) applied from work, friends, family and society to conform in every possible way. We're only allowed to be "different" in ways that are pre-screened and safe to express to the world. Why do we allow ourselves to be so conveniently boxed and sold?
Its not that I'm all that radical or crazy but my method of doing things differs from time to time and the judgment of those differences is so maddeningly constant, I can count on one hand the amount of people in this world I can express a thought to without having to think twice how they'll interpret that thought and how it will reflect upon me.
Worse yet, some days I find myself boxing people.
Take or shake or forsake you out,
I ain't lookin' for you to feel like me,
See like me or be like me.
All I really want to do
Is, baby, be friends with you.
All I Really Want To Do - Another Side of Bob Dylan - 1964
The lyrics here resonate with me on a daily basis. Its not so much leave me alone, as it is let me be who I am. There is so much pressure (direct and indirect) applied from work, friends, family and society to conform in every possible way. We're only allowed to be "different" in ways that are pre-screened and safe to express to the world. Why do we allow ourselves to be so conveniently boxed and sold?
Its not that I'm all that radical or crazy but my method of doing things differs from time to time and the judgment of those differences is so maddeningly constant, I can count on one hand the amount of people in this world I can express a thought to without having to think twice how they'll interpret that thought and how it will reflect upon me.
Worse yet, some days I find myself boxing people.
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