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
Band Of The Hand
Bob Dylan Lyrics
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(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
Down these streets the fools rule
There's no freedom or self respect
A knife's point or a trip to the joint
They kill people here who stand up for their rights
The system's just too damned corrupt
It's always the same, the name of the game
Is who do you know higher up
Well..
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
The blacks and the whites
The idiotic, the exotic
Wealth is a filthy rag
So erotic so unpatriotic
So wrapped up in the American flag
Witchcraft scum exploiting the dumb
Turning children into punks and slaves
Whose heroes and healers are rich dope dealers
Who should be put in their graves
Tell the truth now..
(It's Hell time, man)
Well, lookie here, honey
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
(It's Hell time, man)
Listen to me Mr. Pussyman
This might be your last night in a bed so soft
We're not pimps on the make, politicians on the take
You can't pay us off
We're gonna blow up your home of Voodoo
And watch it burn without any regret
We got the power we're the new government
You just don't know it yet
Help me now..
(It's Hell time, man)
Ah, bring it to me honey
(It's Hell time, man)
For all of my brothers from Vietnam
And my uncles from World War II
I'd like to say that it's countdown time now
And we're gonna do what the law should do
And for you pretty baby
I know you've seen it all
I know your story is too painful to share
One day though you'll be talking in your sleep
And when you do, I wanna be there
Yeah..
(It's Hell time, man)
Be strong, baby
(It's Hell time, man)
Won't take long, baby
(Band of the hand)
Ah, let me tell you now
(It's Hell time, man)
The war is here, honey
(Band of the hand)
Ah, go ahead now
(It's Hell time, man)
Be strong, baby
(Band of the hand)
It won't be long, honey
(It's Hell time, man)
Be strong, baby
In Bob Dylan's "Band Of The Hand," the focus is on the harsh realities of impoverished urban life, where the "fools rule," and there is "no freedom or self-respect." The song describes a system so corrupt that those who stand up for their rights are killed. The lyrics express contempt for the American flag, which is depicted as a "filthy rag," and highlight exploitation of the poor by those who engage in "witchcraft," "turning children into punks and slaves." The song conveys a sense of powerlessness: the people who are suffering are not in control, and they have no faith in the authorities who are supposed to protect them.
However, there are moments of optimism interspersed throughout the song. The "new government" is represented by a "band of the hand," suggesting that ordinary people—fellow sufferers—can band together and create a new order through their own actions. The song's refrain, "it's hell time, man," is often interpreted as a wakeup call: the time has come for people to take matters into their own hands and fight back against the forces that are oppressing them.
Line by Line Meaning
(It's Hell time, man)
The situation is dire and dangerous.
Down these streets the fools rule
The people who run this area are not wise and often make bad decisions.
There's no freedom or self respect
The people who live here feel trapped and powerless.
A knife's point or a trip to the joint
The people who live here face either violence or imprisonment.
Is about all you can expect
The lack of opportunity and resources leaves them with few options.
They kill people here who stand up for their rights
People who speak out against the injustices here risk being murdered.
The system's just too damned corrupt
The people in power are dishonest and untrustworthy.
It's always the same, the name of the game
Corruption is an inherent part of the system.
Is who do you know higher up
The people in power only care about personal connections rather than merit.
The blacks and the whites
This chaos and oppression affects everyone, regardless of race.
The idiotic, the exotic
The people who live here are diverse, but all suffer from being treated poorly.
Wealth is a filthy rag
Success and money have lost their value and meaning in this environment.
So erotic so unpatriotic
The culture here values sex and rebellion over traditional ideals.
So wrapped up in the American flag
Despite the rejection of traditional American values, there is still a pride in being American.
Witchcraft scum exploiting the dumb
Those in power here use manipulation and trickery to control and oppress the ignorant.
Turning children into punks and slaves
The next generation is being stripped of potential and freedom.
Whose heroes and healers are rich dope dealers
The people who can provide relief and guidance are instead drug lords.
Who should be put in their graves
The people in power here deserve punishment and death for their actions.
Listen to me Mr. Pussyman
The singer is addressing someone who may not take them seriously.
This might be your last night in a bed so soft
There is a threat of violence and harm against the person being addressed.
We're not pimps on the make, politicians on the take
The artist is not motivated by money or influence like those in power here.
You can't pay us off
The artist cannot be bribed or bought off by corrupt individuals.
We're gonna blow up your home of Voodoo
The singer is planning a violent attack against a Voodoo establishment.
And watch it burn without any regret
The artist is expressing no remorse or second thoughts about their planned attack.
We got the power we're the new government
The singer is claiming to have the strength and support to take over the ruling of this area.
You just don't know it yet
The people in power here are unaware of the singer's plans or influence.
For all of my brothers from Vietnam
The singer is addressing those who fought in Vietnam as fellow soldiers and patriots.
And my uncles from World War II
The artist also includes those who fought in past wars as deserving of respect and recognition.
I'd like to say that it's countdown time now
There is a sense of urgency and necessity to the artist's message.
And we're gonna do what the law should do
The singer feels that they must take action themselves since the law has failed to provide justice.
And for you pretty baby
The singer addresses a female who has experienced hardship and trauma.
I know you've seen it all
The artist recognizes that the person they are talking to has faced many hardships.
I know your story is too painful to share
The artist believes that the person they are talking cannot or does not want to share their painful story.
One day though you'll be talking in your sleep
The artist asserts with confidence that the person they are talking to will one day reveal or revisit their story unconsciously.
And when you do, I wanna be there
The singer wants to listen and support the person they are talking to when they reveal their story.
Won't take long, baby
The artist is reassuring the person they are talking to that things will get better soon.
(Band of the hand)
This phrase represents the group who is taking action against the corruption and evil in this area.
Contributed by James I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.