Dylan started his musical odyssey in 1959 when he began playing in Dinkytown, Minneapolis while attending the University of Minnesota. Shortly after starting to play he changed his stage name to Bob Dylan, after being influenced by the poetry of Dylan Thomas before legally changing his name in 1962.
Much of his best known work is from the 1960s, when he became an informal documentarian and reluctant figurehead of American unrest, promoted by Joan Baez. Some of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements, with Joan Baez and Dylan singing together at the March on Washington in 1963. However he later became disenchanted with the civil liberty protest scene, feeling that he had been used by them.
His album Bringing It All Back Home marked a move away from the folk scene and a move towards rock and roll and Dylan began to consciously distance himself from his early association with civil rights. He also started to become irritated when being interviewed, often given facetious or irreverent answers to questions. Bringing It All Back Home was a controversial album as it the first on which he played electric guitar. This was seen by some of his fans as a betrayal of this folk roots, with some saying that it obscured his meaningful and poetic lyrics.
The second half of the 1960s was marked by a string of well received releases, with his song "Like a Rolling Stone", released in July of 1965, later being named "The Greatest Song of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine in 2004, placing #1 in a list of 500 titles. It also marked the formation of Dylan's backing band The Hawks (who would later call themselves simply The Band). Dylan embarked on a world tour of Australia and Europe in 1966, during which he seemed to be under a lot of strain and pressure by both his fans, the music press and his own promoters. Dylan himself admitted that he began taking drugs seriously whilst on this tour, and found it immensely hard work. On returning to New York he crashed his motorbike, sustaining serious injuries in the process, and went into a period of withdrawal while he recuperated. During the late 1960s, Dylan again changed stylistic tradition, moving away from the psychedelic culture of the time. It was then that he recorded All Along the Watchtower, perhaps more famously recorded by Jimi Hendrix.
The 1970s were a period during which Dylan was more sporadic in his output, releasing some poorly received LPs. He rarely appeared in person until 1974, when he began touring again with his backing band The Band. He also wrote one of his most extensively covered songs, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, as well as what is now recognised as one of his best albums Blood On The Tracks. Towards the end of the 1970s, Dylan discovered Christ, and released some albums of gospel music. He started to talk to the crowd about his faith during his performances, and wouldn't play any of his early work, which alienated some of his previous fans.
Dylan today still remains an influential and popular artist; despite a period of little note between 1980-2000, his 2006 album Modern Times reached the US chart at #1, as did his 2009 album Together Through Life, in the US, Britain, France and several other countries. His 2012 album Tempest was also critically acclaimed. Since 1988, Dylan has been on the so-called Never Ending Tour, during which his performances have provoked controversy, with some critics claiming that his lyrics have become incomprehensible, an experience which is not helped by his tendency to change his set-list and vocals almost every performance.
Bob Dylan's strong influence over the past few years is becoming even more prominent amongst a growing group of younger emerging artists such as George Ellias and Devendra Banhart. Dylan's early lyrics incorporated politics, social commentary, philosophy and literary influences, defying existing pop music conventions and appealing widely to the counterculture of the time. While expanding and personalizing musical styles, Dylan has shown steadfast devotion to traditions of American song, from folk and country/blues to rock and roll and rockabilly, to Gaelic balladry, even jazz, swing and Broadway.
Dylan performs with the guitar, keyboard and harmonica. Backed by a changing lineup of musicians, he has toured steadily since the late 1980s. He has also recently performed alongside other iconic artists, such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and Eric Clapton. Although his contributions as a performer and recording artist have been central to his career, his songwriting is generally held as his highest accomplishment.
Nobel Prize for Literature (2016) - On October 13, 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. The prestigious award has been given annually since 1901 and previous Nobel Laureates for Literature include Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett. Here is the speech written by Dylan, although unable to attend:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/arts/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-acceptance-speech.html?_r=0
A Hard Rain’s A‐Gonna Fall
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And where have you been, my darling young one
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son
And what did you see, my darling young one
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder that roared out a warnin'
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one hundred drummers whose hands were a-blazin'
Heard ten thousand whisperin' and nobody listenin'
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
And what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
And the executioner's face is always well hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
"A Hard Rain’s A‐Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan is a prophetic song that paints a bleak picture of a future dystopian world. It has a haunting quality that captures the human condition of despair and hopelessness.
The first verse sets the tone, beginning with a question, "Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?" The repeated line, "And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard, And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall" serves as a warning that the future will be challenging.
In each verse, Dylan describes grim scenarios, beginning with his journey through misty mountains, crooked highways, and sad forests. He then describes the things he saw, including a newborn baby with wolves, guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children and a room filled with men with hammers. He ends the verse with staccato lines, punctuating his message of a hard rain that is going to fall.
In the final verse, Dylan answers the question of what he is going to do now. He is going back out into the world, where he will walk to the depths of the deepest forest, where people's hands are empty, and where hunger is ugly, and souls are forgotten. He will tell it, sing it, speak it, and breathe it from the mountaintop until he sinks. This song is a warning about the apocalyptic and desolate future in store for humanity if we continue to ignore our problems, a message that is still relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Asking where the singer has been traveling to.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
The singer has traveled across rough terrain.
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
The singer has faced numerous obstacles on their journey.
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
The artist has entered areas of darkness or misery.
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
The artist has witnessed the aftermath of great destruction.
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
The singer has experienced extreme danger or risk.
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
The repetition emphasizes the difficulty and impending danger of the situation.
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Asking what the artist has witnessed on their journey.
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
The artist has seen the vulnerability of innocence in a world of danger.
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
The artist has seen wealth and opportunity but with no one to enjoy it.
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
The singer has witnessed violence and the persistence of its effects.
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
The artist has seen a labor force being exploited or abused.
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
The singer has witnessed a symbol of escape or ascension that has been rendered useless or undesirable.
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
The singer has encountered people who are unable to communicate effectively and who lack influence.
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
The singer has witnessed the tragedy of youth being forced into violent conflict.
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
Asking what the artist has heard on their journey.
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin'
The artist has heard a warning of an impending storm or disaster.
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
The singer has become aware of a force of nature that threatens to cause great damage.
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
The singer has observed the indifference or cruelty of some people towards others' suffering.
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
The artist has heard of the tragic end of a creative person's life.
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
The artist has heard of a seemingly happy or playful figure suffering in a hidden, dark place.
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Reiterating the difficulty and danger that is coming.
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Asking who the singer has encountered on their journey.
I met a young child beside a dead pony
The artist has seen the sadness and loss of childhood.
I met a white man who walked a black dog
The singer has observed a striking contradiction or role reversal.
I met a young woman whose body was burning
The singer has witnessed the agony of someone in physical pain or danger.
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
The singer has received a gift of hope or beauty from an unexpected source.
I met one man who was wounded in love
The artist has encountered someone who has suffered from heartbreak and loss.
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
The artist has encountered someone who has become consumed by anger and bitterness.
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Repeating the refrain to emphasize that a difficult and dangerous time is approaching.
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Asking what the singer plans to do in response to what they have witnessed.
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
The artist will take action before the harm comes.
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
The artist is willing to face the most terrifying and dangerous places.
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
The artist will go where people are suffering and in need.
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
The singer will confront the sources of harm and poison in society.
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
The artist will confront the institutions and systems that enslave and oppress.
Where the executioner's face is always well-hidden
The singer will confront those who carry out violence and oppression while hiding their faces and identities.
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
The singer will go where people are suffering from poverty and neglect and where they have lost their humanity.
Where black is the color, where none is the number
The singer will confront places where people are defined solely by their race or status and where individuality does not exist.
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
The artist will use all their abilities to convey their message of justice and hope to as many people as possible.
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
The artist will continue to fight for their values and beliefs even if they are facing overwhelming opposition and danger.
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
The song concludes with a reminder of the difficult and dangerous world that the singer is navigating.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lowgun5
Bob Dylan was 21 when he wrote this. It sounds like he was a thousand.
@andrewlewis9467
Hahaa man it’s so true though
@mitzidumaresque2144
sounds like .... it was a thousand years ago
@williamfarley3794
This song is relevant for thousands of years
@Aththadha
An old soul in awkward blue jeans
@Tom-nw3rt
Is it good or bad?
@100Neopunk
He turns 80 tomorrow. Blessed be he for he is still among us
@zackzallie8735
A legend among us as always.
@mschiller1661
Neil Young asked him how he wrote the songs from his youth. Bob said he didn't know who that man was.....
@ryanpruner1853
Sus