1 year, 10 months ago
What Bob Dylan song best represents you?
The man has told many stories, and i feel i can relate to many of them, so tell me....
Do you ride on a chrome horse with your diplomat, who carries on his shoulder a Siamese cat?
Do you sit like Buddha in a ten foot cell, an innocent man trapped in a living hell?
Do you have an empty handed painter on your street, who likes to draw crazy patterns on your sheets?
Or do you relate to any number of other things he has sang about? out of the hundreds of songs he wrote which ones define you personally?
Do you ride on a chrome horse with your diplomat, who carries on his shoulder a Siamese cat?
Do you sit like Buddha in a ten foot cell, an innocent man trapped in a living hell?
Do you have an empty handed painter on your street, who likes to draw crazy patterns on your sheets?
Or do you relate to any number of other things he has sang about? out of the hundreds of songs he wrote which ones define you personally?
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M$9 Answers
Not only is the music unforgettable, and from my favorite Bob Dylan album across time, Blonde on Blonde, but the one song I still connect with best is:
"Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”
Each verse evokes a story complete within itself, leaping immediately into dreamlike consciousness, meandering onward to connect with every other verse, then looping back to fulfill the promised mood of the song title itself. And so it begins:
"Oh, the ragman draws circles
Up and down the block..."
The fact that this was released as early as 1966 and remains as relevant as ever, still 'strangles up my mind,' as in one of the middle verses.
Why do I identify with this song in particular?
It quickly surveys broad territories, reporting back snippets and vignettes that paint rich pictures. Observing strange characters, political realities, life traps and injustices, it sails undaunted upon music that both mesmerizes and soars into a future promising ever-fascinating visions. Life is indeed fascinating to me, in all its complex mystery, as is this musical tale.
It ends with a closing verse filled with cynicism about neon madmen, and yet… there is the glimmer of a way out buried inside the trap:
“And here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice”
Is Bob Dylan cynical, tortured or resigned? Or instead, the eternal optimist willing to look at what’s directly in front of him?
Neither lyrics nor music give us the answer by themselves. Together, they hint at what drives him forward, combining his incisive eye with his poet’s heart. I have my answer, and will leave you to find yours.
"Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again”
Each verse evokes a story complete within itself, leaping immediately into dreamlike consciousness, meandering onward to connect with every other verse, then looping back to fulfill the promised mood of the song title itself. And so it begins:
"Oh, the ragman draws circles
Up and down the block..."
The fact that this was released as early as 1966 and remains as relevant as ever, still 'strangles up my mind,' as in one of the middle verses.
Why do I identify with this song in particular?
It quickly surveys broad territories, reporting back snippets and vignettes that paint rich pictures. Observing strange characters, political realities, life traps and injustices, it sails undaunted upon music that both mesmerizes and soars into a future promising ever-fascinating visions. Life is indeed fascinating to me, in all its complex mystery, as is this musical tale.
It ends with a closing verse filled with cynicism about neon madmen, and yet… there is the glimmer of a way out buried inside the trap:
“And here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice”
Is Bob Dylan cynical, tortured or resigned? Or instead, the eternal optimist willing to look at what’s directly in front of him?
Neither lyrics nor music give us the answer by themselves. Together, they hint at what drives him forward, combining his incisive eye with his poet’s heart. I have my answer, and will leave you to find yours.
images:
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M$
Thank you for this question! i love folk music, and every year, I go to the Woody Guthrie Music Festival here in Oklahoma where folk singers and songwriters from all over the world come to perform. They pick up guitars and harmonicas and gather around campfires and old buses to sing all of their songs, and it is a wonderful experience. Bob Dylan has been a tremendous influence for many singers and songwriters, especially those that continue to carry on the legacy of folk music.
For me, the Bob Dylan song that I love the most and that probably says the most about me is "Blowin' In The Wind." While this song is more about society in general than it is about any one person, I can relate to many of the thoughts that he implies here. Although this song was written may years ago, the lyrics are ageless and still very much apply to today.
------------------------------Quote---------------------------------------
How many roads most a man walk down
Before you call him a man ?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand ?
Yes, how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea ?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free ?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky ?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry ?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
----------------Quote-----------------------------------------------------
This video is Bob Dylan himself performing live in Ireland on July 4, 2010<-----(Yes, three days ago!) (I think he is 69 now?)
For me, the Bob Dylan song that I love the most and that probably says the most about me is "Blowin' In The Wind." While this song is more about society in general than it is about any one person, I can relate to many of the thoughts that he implies here. Although this song was written may years ago, the lyrics are ageless and still very much apply to today.
------------------------------Quote---------------------------------------
How many roads most a man walk down
Before you call him a man ?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand ?
Yes, how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea ?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free ?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky ?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry ?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
----------------Quote-----------------------------------------------------
This video is Bob Dylan himself performing live in Ireland on July 4, 2010<-----(Yes, three days ago!) (I think he is 69 now?)
source(s):
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Blowin'-in-the-Wind-lyrics-Bob-Dylan/E21E119C400E61A5482569690027A3C9
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Blowin'-in-the-Wind-lyrics-Bob-Dylan/E21E119C400E61A5482569690027A3C9
videos:
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M$
no question. like a rollin stone, and this great Jazz version is my favorite. I DID used to think i was something really special, until life came around and knocked the Hell out of me. No more. I'm not any better than anyone else. I KNOW how it feels, trust me.
"Like A Rolling Stone"
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
CHORUS
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
CHORUS
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
"Like A Rolling Stone"
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
CHORUS
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
CHORUS
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
videos:
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M$
I think one of his best alblums was the break up album-Blood on the Tracks. And his early Time out of Mind. But for favorite song:
Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
the handmade blade
the childs ballon
eclipes both the sun and moon
to understand you know to soon
there is no sense in really trying
pointed threats they bluff with scorn
from the fool's gold mouthpiecce
lay the hollow horn
lay wasted words that prove to warn
that he not busy being born is busy dying
but don't fear
if you hear
a foriegn sound to your ear
it's alright ma
i'm only sighing...it's life and life only.
Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
the handmade blade
the childs ballon
eclipes both the sun and moon
to understand you know to soon
there is no sense in really trying
pointed threats they bluff with scorn
from the fool's gold mouthpiecce
lay the hollow horn
lay wasted words that prove to warn
that he not busy being born is busy dying
but don't fear
if you hear
a foriegn sound to your ear
it's alright ma
i'm only sighing...it's life and life only.
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M$
I like very much the song The Times They Are A -Changing. For me, Bob Dylan is not just a singer, he is also a poet and one cannot completely enjoy his music without paying attention to the lyrics.
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M$
I love Bob Dylan. There are none of his songs That best represent me now.BUT there is one that I would say I enjoyed very much as a teenager.
Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good
They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home
Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ ’long the street
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to keep your seat
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ on the floor
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table
They’ll stone ya when you are young and able
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to make a buck
They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say, “good luck”
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you and say that it’s the end
Then they’ll stone you and then they’ll come back again
They’ll stone you when you’re riding in your car
They’ll stone you when you’re playing your guitar
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you when you walk all alone
They’ll stone you when you are walking home
They’ll stone you and then say you are brave
They’ll stone you when you are set down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good
They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home
Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ ’long the street
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to keep your seat
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ on the floor
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table
They’ll stone ya when you are young and able
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to make a buck
They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say, “good luck”
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you and say that it’s the end
Then they’ll stone you and then they’ll come back again
They’ll stone you when you’re riding in your car
They’ll stone you when you’re playing your guitar
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you when you walk all alone
They’ll stone you when you are walking home
They’ll stone you and then say you are brave
They’ll stone you when you are set down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
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M$
My mother immigrated from Ohio to San Francisco's North Beach district in the 1950's.
She was a beatnik.
Every time I hear Subterranean Homesick Blues, I'm reminded of walks with my Mother up Telegraph Avenue, in Berkeley.. circa 1970. Stopping at the corner to greet and say 'Hello' to Julia Vinograd... or as I would remember her 'The Bubble Lady'. http://www.lionlight.com/Julia.html
I always had to take a peek into Moe's Books, or just catch a whiff of his cigar smoke.
http://www.moesbooks.com/shop/moes/moe-1985-tobacco-observer.html
He was a rebel. He was obnoxious... and I loved him. His wife, Barbara was founder of a great private school that attended in Berkeley called Walden.
If it was a nice day, we'd sidetrack and walk through People's Park. http://www.peoplespark.org/
At the end of Telegraph Avenue is UC Berkeley and the Student Union building. For as long as I could remember when I was young there was always someone standing on those steps with a sign. A cause. An emotion.
I am quickly transported back to those days of spirit, change and hope every time I hear that song.
Since Sony is being a big fat pig and not allowing the video on Youtube or anywhere else... I will post Minuscule Hey doing a very fine version of this revolutionary song. Take it away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-RVRoGgLM
She was a beatnik.
Every time I hear Subterranean Homesick Blues, I'm reminded of walks with my Mother up Telegraph Avenue, in Berkeley.. circa 1970. Stopping at the corner to greet and say 'Hello' to Julia Vinograd... or as I would remember her 'The Bubble Lady'. http://www.lionlight.com/Julia.html
I always had to take a peek into Moe's Books, or just catch a whiff of his cigar smoke.
http://www.moesbooks.com/shop/moes/moe-1985-tobacco-observer.html
He was a rebel. He was obnoxious... and I loved him. His wife, Barbara was founder of a great private school that attended in Berkeley called Walden.
If it was a nice day, we'd sidetrack and walk through People's Park. http://www.peoplespark.org/
At the end of Telegraph Avenue is UC Berkeley and the Student Union building. For as long as I could remember when I was young there was always someone standing on those steps with a sign. A cause. An emotion.
I am quickly transported back to those days of spirit, change and hope every time I hear that song.
Since Sony is being a big fat pig and not allowing the video on Youtube or anywhere else... I will post Minuscule Hey doing a very fine version of this revolutionary song. Take it away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-RVRoGgLM
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I had the same problems looking for videos. Subterranean homesick blues has got to be one the best by Mr. Dylan but this is my favorite cover:
P.S. I was waiting for you to answer! You voted it interesting then lead me to believe you were not gonna answer.
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Oh Bobby D! I do love him so. . .
My favorite of his is ``Don´t think twice its alright.´´
There are some songs that resonate with me at certain points in my life, and this song is one of them. Hearing it just takes me back to that place all over again. So much so that its almost painful to listen to, and it wouldn´t be worth it if it wasn´t also so beautiful. Those are the best songs to listen to when in despair, even though they are depressing they also speak to the deepest part of you, a glorious bittersweet gem inside the misery.
Just listen to the lyrics. The wrench my heart out:
``When your rooster crows at the break of dawn, look out your window, and I´ll be gone. Youre the reason I´m travellin´ on, but don´t think twice its alright.´´
``Aint no use in turnin on your light, babe. The light I never knowed. . .´´
``I´m wishin there was something you would do or say, to try to make me change my mind and stay. But we never did much talkin´anyway. . .´´
``I´m not sayin´ you treated me unkind, you coulda done better, but I don´t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time, but don´t think twice its alright.´´
I. Just. Love. It.
Yes, most of you probably think that sounds crazy. But some of you understand.
However, the popularity of this song is extremely evident, as it has been covered numerous times. This may have something do with the fact that its a Dylan song with a slightly more sing-able melody.
Here´s the Peter Paul and Mary version. Very pretty. (Although not quite as much soul)
My favorite of his is ``Don´t think twice its alright.´´
There are some songs that resonate with me at certain points in my life, and this song is one of them. Hearing it just takes me back to that place all over again. So much so that its almost painful to listen to, and it wouldn´t be worth it if it wasn´t also so beautiful. Those are the best songs to listen to when in despair, even though they are depressing they also speak to the deepest part of you, a glorious bittersweet gem inside the misery.
Just listen to the lyrics. The wrench my heart out:
``When your rooster crows at the break of dawn, look out your window, and I´ll be gone. Youre the reason I´m travellin´ on, but don´t think twice its alright.´´
``Aint no use in turnin on your light, babe. The light I never knowed. . .´´
``I´m wishin there was something you would do or say, to try to make me change my mind and stay. But we never did much talkin´anyway. . .´´
``I´m not sayin´ you treated me unkind, you coulda done better, but I don´t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time, but don´t think twice its alright.´´
I. Just. Love. It.
Yes, most of you probably think that sounds crazy. But some of you understand.
However, the popularity of this song is extremely evident, as it has been covered numerous times. This may have something do with the fact that its a Dylan song with a slightly more sing-able melody.
Here´s the Peter Paul and Mary version. Very pretty. (Although not quite as much soul)
videos:
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M$
I am also a BIG Bob Dylan fan. Love his work. Have many favs, but have always loved Like a Rolling Stone, has personal memories for me. I even have it as my mobile ringtone, so at least i can hear it whenever i want!
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M$
great choice!