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
Black Rider
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been up all night, have to stay on your guard
The path that you're walking, too narrow to walk
Every step of the way, another stumbling block
The road that you're on, same road that you know
Just not the same as it was a minute ago
Black rider, black rider, you've seen it all
You fell into the fire and you're eating the flame
Better seal up your lips if you wanna stay in the game
Be reasonable, mister, be honest, be fair
Let all of your earthly thoughts be a prayer
Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black
I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I don't wanna fight, at least not today
Go home to your wife, stop visiting mine
One of these days, I'll forget to be kind
Black rider, black rider, tell me when, tell me how
If there ever was a time, then let it be now
Let me go through, open the door
My soul is distressed, my mind is at war
Don't hug me, don't flatter me, don't turn on the charm
I'll take a sword and hack off your arm
Black rider, black rider, hold it right there
The size of your cock will get you nowhere
I'll suffer in silence, I'll not make a sound
Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Some enchanted evening, I'll sing you a song
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long
In "Black Rider," Bob Dylan seems to be addressing a fellow traveler, warning him of the difficulties he's likely to face. The black rider is a symbol of the ongoing struggle the traveler (and all of us, to some extent) faces as they journey through life. The line "you've been living too hard" suggests that the black rider has engaged in some reckless behavior and the following verse ("the road that you're on, same road that you know...") suggests that despite his experience, he's still making mistakes that are hindering his progress. But Dylan advises the rider to be reasonable and let his thoughts be a prayer. He seems to be suggesting that the only way to navigate life's obstacles is with a clear mind and a respect for something greater than ourselves.
As the song progresses, the black rider becomes more aggressive, asking the singer to "turn on the charm." But the singer is steadfast, saying he will "suffer in silence" and "take the high moral ground." The final verse is particularly intriguing; after all of the warnings and advice he's given the black rider, Dylan seems to be suggesting that there's no escape from the challenges of life. Even if the black rider were to take a step back, it may not be enough to avoid the pain and uncertainty that comes with living.
Overall, "Black Rider" is a somber mediation on the struggles we all face. Dylan doesn't offer any solutions or quick fixes, but instead acknowledges the ongoing nature of our challenges and encourages a certain level of calm acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Black rider, black rider, you've been living too hard
You've been living recklessly with no regard for your own well-being.
Been up all night, have to stay on your guard
You're constantly on edge after a long night of staying vigilant.
The path that you're walking, too narrow to walk
The path you're on is too difficult to navigate.
Every step of the way, another stumbling block
At every turn, there's another obstacle to overcome.
The road that you're on, same road that you know
You're familiar with the road you're on.
Just not the same as it was a minute ago
It feels like everything has changed in just a short amount of time.
Black rider, black rider, you've seen it all
You've experienced everything life has to offer.
You've seen the great world and you've seen the small
You've seen both the grandeur and the insignificance of the world.
You fell into the fire and you're eating the flame
You've made a grave mistake and are now suffering the consequences.
Better seal up your lips if you wanna stay in the game
If you want to continue in this world, you need to keep quiet about what you know.
Be reasonable, mister, be honest, be fair
You need to be rational, truthful, and just in your actions.
Let all of your earthly thoughts be a prayer
Let your thoughts be pure and spiritual.
Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black
You're consumed by darkness and negativity.
I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
You're attempting to manipulate me into staying by appealing to my emotions.
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I'm at peace and I want to maintain that state of being.
I don't wanna fight, at least not today
I don't want to engage in conflict, at least not right now.
Go home to your wife, stop visiting mine
Leave my family alone and focus on your own.
One of these days, I'll forget to be kind
At some point, I may lose patience and lash out.
Black rider, black rider, tell me when, tell me how
Give me the specifics of what I need to do, and when.
If there ever was a time, then let it be now
If there was ever a moment to act, it's now.
Let me go through, open the door
Allow me to pass through and continue on my path.
My soul is distressed, my mind is at war
I'm going through internal turmoil.
Don't hug me, don't flatter me, don't turn on the charm
Don't try to manipulate me with false kindness and niceties.
I'll take a sword and hack off your arm
I'll respond with violence if you continue to push me.
Black rider, black rider, hold it right there
Stop what you're doing.
The size of your cock will get you nowhere
Your arrogance and ego won't get you what you want.
I'll suffer in silence, I'll not make a sound
I'll endure the pain and hardship without complaining.
Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Perhaps I'll choose to act with integrity and righteousness.
Some enchanted evening, I'll sing you a song
At some point in the future, I may serenade you.
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long
You've been doing this for too long and it's time for a change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reonprinters
Lyrics:
Black rider, black rider, you've been living too hard
Been up all night, have to stay on your guard
The path that you're walking, too narrow to walk
Every step of the way, another stumbling block
The road that you're on, same road that you know
Just not the same as it was a minute ago
Black rider, black rider, you've seen it all
You've seen the great world and you've seen the small
You fell into the fire and you're eating the flame
Better seal up your lips if you wanna stay in the game
Be reasonable, mister, be honest, be fair
Let all of your earthly thoughts be a prayer
Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black
I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I don't wanna fight, at least not today
Go home to your wife, stop visiting mine
One of these days, I'll forget to be kind
Black rider, black rider, tell me when, tell me how
If there ever was a time, then let it be now
Let me go through, open the door
My soul is distressed, my mind is at war
Don't hug me, don't flatter me, don't turn on the charm
I'll take a sword and hack off your arm
Black rider, black rider, hold it right there
The size of your cock will get you nowhere
I'll suffer in silence, I'll not make a sound
Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Some enchanted evening, I'll sing you a song
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long
@aashishadhikari2167
Black rider, black rider, you've been living too hard
Been up all night, have to stay on your guard
The path that you're walking, too narrow to walk
Every step of the way, another stumbling block
The road that you're on, same road that you know
Just not the same as it was a minute ago
Black rider, black rider, you've seen it all
You've seen the great world and you've seen the small
You fell into the fire and you're eating the flame
Better seal up your lips if you wanna stay in the game
Be reasonable, mister, be honest, be fair
Let all of your earthly thoughts be a prayer
Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black
I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I don't wanna fight, at least not today
Go home to your wife, stop visiting mine
One of these days I'll forget to be kind
Black rider, black rider, tell me when, tell me how
If there ever was a time, then let it be now
Let me go through, open the door
My souls is distressed, my mind is at war
Don't hug me, don't flatter me, don't turn on the charm
I'll take a sword and hack off your arm
Black rider, black rider, hold it right there
The size of your cock will get you nowhere
I'll suffer in silence, I'll not make a sound
Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Some enchanted evening I'll sing you a song
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long
//what a masterpiece//
@dippdnchoc
Bob Dylan's latest track "Black Rider" is perfectly expressive for these BLM times.
This track hauntingly strums in a Cohen-ish style and awakens the emotional enigma that some are experiencing right now.
The lyrics extract and explicitly move with the resultant emotions of Racist narrative,inherent Belief, Stereotype and Guilt.
This is the garnished cocktail sitting on the countertops of Society at the moment and begs the question "today's thought beverage to calm down the day or commence the stacked tumbler tower of tomorrow's hangover?"
The song starts with an empathetic tone for the first half and then becomes overridden by the switch of Privilege and powers to "I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I don't wanna fight, at least not today"
Finally,the Sensitivities of our current collective voices ,lurk in the background and seem to penetrate through the Pain of Threat and Anger resulting in...."Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Some enchanted evening I'll sing you a song
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long."
....here's a question for y'all
......what does Dylan mean by "go home to your Wife?"
BLACK RIDER...Bob Dylan
Black rider, black rider, you've been living too hard
Been up all night, have to stay on your guard
The path that you're walking, too narrow to walk
Every step of the way, another stumbling block
The road that you're on, same road that you know
Just not the same as it was a minute ago
Black rider, black rider, you've seen it all
You've seen the great world and you've seen the small
You fell into the fire and you're eating the flame
Better seal up your lips if you wanna stay in the game
Be reasonable, mister, be honest, be fair
Let all of your earthly thoughts be a prayer
Black rider, black rider, all dressed in black
I'm walking away, you try to make me look back
My heart is at rest, I'd like to keep it that way
I don't wanna fight, at least not today
Go home to your wife, stop visiting mine
One of these days I'll forget to be kind
Black rider, black rider, tell me when, tell me how
If there ever was a time, then let it be now
Let me go through, open the door
My souls is distressed, my mind is at war
Don't hug me, don't flatter me, don't turn on the charm
I'll take a sword and hack off your arm
Black rider, black rider, hold it right there
The size of your cock will get you nowhere
I'll suffer in silence, I'll not make a sound
Maybe I'll take the high moral ground
Some enchanted evening I'll sing you a song
Black rider, black rider, you've been on the job too long
@josepeixoto3384
Beautiful melody, and a very sad song, it fits him now and it will also make sense when he is gone;
The Black Rider is the A m A Z I n G Bob Dylan himself now, 79 yo Dylan, thinking about his end...
"let all of your worldly thoughts be...a...prayer..."
"the size of your ck will get you nowhere"
"black rider hold it right there" (scary verse this one, supposedly spoken by death itself...)
" been on the job too long "
@theloniouscoltrane3778
Nothing against
Nick Drake
L. Cohen
Neil Young
Paul Simon
Sting
Or any songwriter who puts poetry in lyrics.
But BOB DYLAN wrote the RULE BOOK of POETIC LYRICAL SONGWRITING.
Born. 1941.
And releases this new album of all original tracks.
No one can top that.
Read the lyrics of each of his song on this album. Mind-blowing!
You can't write him off. He will always be relevant. The man. The legend. The Bob Dylan.
@liviaalvesaguiar5017
As canções de Bob Dylan são mesmo para serem contempladas, lidas com calma, são como poemas. São letras muito criativas e melodias muito belas. Ainda não acredito que pude assistir ele tocando de pertinho, no seu majestoso piano.
@silviaregis6569
When I was a teenager I used to play guitar and sing Bob Dylan's songs. Now that I'm an old woman ...I still do it.
@psmguy63
You go, Silvia! Awesome.
@rossbarnett3759
Nice to hear that Silvia. I can understand why. Its joy in that isn't it. I'm the same
@Dicksonblue1
It's just the same for me ... 68 years old - from Wallonia (French)
@Dicksonblue1
@8chk9 Yes but I played "Classic Guitar" from my 6 yes old ... Now I have problems and ... I can no more .. Excuse my English. Also think of the revolution for French to English music. For Instance, I have seen all the films of Elvis ... I was about 4 years old !!!!
@Dicksonblue1
@8chk9 But I like also Jimmy Hendricks, Nat King Cool and so many others
@chavruta2000
I don't think people understand the incredible construction of this song. It's five 12 bar mini-essays, separated by ghostly vamps. Here it sounds Caribbean, And on tour, it sounds like Ornette Coleman. And who is the Black Rider? Is it death? Is it an adversary? An angel? He won't leave me alone.
@ferociousgumby
Dylan got me through my horrendous adolescence, more than 50 years ago, and now is getting me through a nearly-as-horrendous time, a time when, unbelievably, the world just stopped. And now his voice is so intimate, I feel he's in the room with me. Whispering in my ear. That "bop" in the background, I thought it was a mistake at first, but it comes around again and I know it is for effect and no mistake. Not only are these some of his best lyrics ever, he has never sung more lyrically and intimately. Jesus Christ, how lucky we are to still have him during this endless Armageddon.
@ronaldhansbolt9871
... don't worry, don't worry, be gentle, be kind... soon all y'r troubles'lbe left behind...