Like Dylan in the Movies
Belle and Sebastian Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lisa's kissing men like a long walk home
When the music stops
Take a tip from me, don't go through the park
When you're on your own, it's a long walk home

If they follow you
Don't look back
Like Dylan in the movies
On your own
If they follow you
It's not your money that they're after boy it's you

Pure easy listening, settle down
On the pillow soft when they've all gone home
You can concentrate on the ones you love
You can concentrate, hey, now they've gone

If they follow you
Don't look back
Like Dylan in the movies
On your own
If they follow you
It's not your money that they're after boy it's you

Yeah you're worth the trouble and you're worth the pain
And you're worth the worry, I would do the same
If we all went back to another time
I will love you over
I will love you over
I will love you

If they follow you
Don't look back
Like Dylan in the movies
On your own
If they follow you
Tenderly you turn the light on in your room

If they follow you
Don't look back
Like Dylan in the movies




On your own
If they follow you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Belle and Sebastian's song Like Dylan in the Movies depict an eerie and suspenseful scenario, where the singer, Lisa, is being followed by unknown men. Lisa’s promiscuous behavior of “kissing men like a long walk home” has put her in danger, causing the singer to offer a warning piece of advice to avoid walking through the park alone if the music stops. The repetition of “it’s a long walk home” serves to reinforce the fear and anxiety of the situation, reminding the listener that danger lurks around every corner.


The reference to Dylan in the Movies is likely inspired by the 1957 movie A Face in the Crowd starring Andy Griffith, where the main character, an influential but abusive media personality named Lonesome Rhodes, is brought down by a former protege who exposes his true nature. The comparison of the situation to a movie indicates that the singer feels a sense of detachment from the events, as if they are watching someone else's tragedy unfold. The lyrics suggest that the men following Lisa may not be interested in her money, but rather her.


The second half of the song takes a softer, more meditative tone, with the focus shifting from the present danger to the companionship and intimacy of loved ones. The chorus repeats, admonishing Lisa to “not look back,” as if to say that the past is past, and one must move on from danger and fear. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer pledging to love Lisa “over and over,” suggesting that relationships can transcend time and danger.


Line by Line Meaning

Lisa's kissing men like a long walk home
Lisa is kissing many men just like a long journey that is somewhat lonely and tiresome.


When the music stops
This line signals the beginning of a warning or an advice.


Take a tip from me, don't go through the park
The singer suggests not to go through the park which could be a safe haven for the person to avoid any kind of danger or risk of being followed or chased by someone.


When you're on your own, it's a long walk home
It's not safe to be alone when the person is at risk of being followed and it could lead to an endless and lonely journey on foot.


If they follow you
This line indicates the recurring theme of the song, which is the idea of being followed and chased.


Don't look back
The person is instructed not to look back while they are being followed or chased.


Like Dylan in the movies
This line references Bob Dylan's iconic style of being followed and escaping danger, which is a recurring theme in his songs and movies.


On your own
The person is alone, which makes them feel vulnerable and scared.


It's not your money that they're after boy it's you
This line suggests that the person being followed is being targeted for something specific, and the purpose is for something sinister, not for money or any other commodity.


Pure easy listening, settle down
This line urges the person to remain calm, focused and collected.


On the pillow soft when they've all gone home
After everyone has gone home, the person is able to rest in the comfort of their bed and contemplate life.


You can concentrate on the ones you love
This line advises the person to focus on their loved ones.


Hey, now they've gone
This remark tells the person that they can finally be alone and have some peace of mind after a busy day.


Yeah you're worth the trouble and you're worth the pain
The singer is reassuring the person that they are worth all the effort and the obstacles they may face.


And you're worth the worry, I would do the same
This line reinforces the fact that the person is important and the singer would do anything to protect them.


If we all went back to another time
This line is talking about going back to a time when people were safer and life was easier.


I will love you over
This line suggests that the artist will always love the person no matter how many challenges they may face.


Tenderly you turn the light on in your room
This line is depicting a peaceful and romantic scene where the person turns on the light and prepares to rest.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAMPBE, CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, ISOBEL CAMPBELL, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, SARAH MARTIN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions