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
Dirge
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road.
The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel,
I hate myself for lovin' you and I'm glad the curtain fell.
I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed
And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed?
I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within,
Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped,
Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped.
Like a slave in orbit, he's beaten 'til he's tame,
All for a moment's glory and it's a dirty, rotten shame.
There are those who worship loneliness, I'm not one of them,
In this age of fiberglass I'm searching for a gem.
The crystal ball up on the wall hasn't shown me nothing yet,
I've paid the price of solitude, but at last I'm out of debt.
Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me
'Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees.
We stared into each other's eyes 'til one of us would break,
No use to apologize, what diff'rence would it make?
So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine,
The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen.
Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I'm at,
I hate myself for lovin' you, but I should get over that.
The Bob Dylan song 'Dirge' features lyrics that express the complicated emotions of a failed relationship. The singer expresses guilt and self-loathing for loving someone who is ultimately destructive to them. The metaphor of 'Suicide Road' is used to describe the relationship, suggesting that it was a path to self-destruction. Dylan paints a picture of the stage being set and the lights being turned off, implying that the relationship was a performance that ultimately came to an end. The singer hates that they played a 'foolish game' and were merciful to each other. This suggests the relationship was built on false pretenses and that the singer never truly understood the other person.
Dylan uses vivid imagery to describe the aftermath of the relationship. 'Lower Broadway' is where the singer experiences a sense of emptiness and despair, where 'martyrs weep and angels play with sin'. The line 'Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped' suggests that the singer has been influenced by their ex-partner's activism, perhaps finding themselves disillusioned by the failed relationship as well as the state of the world. The final verse brings the song full circle as the singer reflects on their experiences and recognizes that they need to let go of the past in order to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I hate myself for lovin' you and the weakness that it showed
I resent myself for succumbing to my feelings for you and revealing my vulnerability in the process.
You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road.
You were merely a fleeting image of temporary pleasure on a journey to self-destruction.
The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel,
The moment had arrived and the surroundings were dark and ominous like an abandoned establishment.
I hate myself for lovin' you and I'm glad the curtain fell.
I regret giving in to my desires, but I'm relieved that the performance is over.
I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed
I deeply despise the foolish and trivial pastime we engaged in and the desperation that I displayed.
And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed?
It's surprising and unexpected that you showed me any kindness or leniency in your treatment of me.
I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within,
As I walked the streets of the city, I sensed a place of despair within myself.
That hollow place where martyrs weep and angels play with sin.
It's a dark and empty space where those who suffer and those who indulge in wrongdoing intersect.
Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped,
I listened to your compositions about liberation, but they only expose mankind's vulnerability.
Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped.
People continue to make foolish decisions despite the pain and suffering they endure as a result.
Like a slave in orbit, he's beaten 'til he's tame,
People are trapped in a cycle of abuse and oppression, leading them to submission in their behavior.
All for a moment's glory and it's a dirty, rotten shame.
They sacrifice everything for a fleeting sense of achievement, and it's a shameful and disgraceful tragedy.
There are those who worship loneliness, I'm not one of them,
Some people cherish their isolation, but I personally don't find comfort in it.
In this age of fiberglass I'm searching for a gem.
In a world where everything is synthetic and superficial, I'm searching for something authentic and genuine.
The crystal ball up on the wall hasn't shown me nothing yet,
Despite attempts to predict the future, I'm still unclear about what lies ahead.
I've paid the price of solitude, but at last I'm out of debt.
I've suffered the consequences of being alone, but now I feel liberated from any obligations or debts to anyone else.
Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me
I can't remember any beneficial or productive actions you took on my behalf.
'Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees.
The only thing I can recall is you offering me a consolatory gesture of encouragement when I was at my lowest point.
We stared into each other's eyes 'til one of us would break,
We engaged in a staring contest of confrontation, waiting for the other to give in or concede defeat.
No use to apologize, what diff'rence would it make?
An apology would be meaningless and ineffectual, as it would not change the situation or the past.
So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine,
Go ahead and celebrate the advancements of society and the inevitable demise that follows them.
The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen.
Despite a society that embraces sensuality and honesty, actual truth is still forbidden and shrouded in secrecy.
Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I'm at,
Fortune is on my side and will disclose my whereabouts to you.
I hate myself for lovin' you, but I should get over that.
As much as I regret my feelings for you, it's time for me to move on and overcome them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Camacho
I hate myself for lovin’ you and the weakness that it showed
You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road
The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel
I hate myself for lovin’ you and I’m glad the curtain fell
I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed
And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed?
I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within
That hollow place where martyrs weep and angels play with sin
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped
Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped
Like a slave in orbit, he’s beaten ’til he’s tame
All for a moment’s glory and it’s a dirty, rotten shame
There are those who worship loneliness, I’m not one of them
In this age of fiberglass I’m searching for a gem
The crystal ball up on the wall hasn’t shown me nothing yet
I’ve paid the price of solitude, but at last I’m out of debt
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Can’t recall a useful thing you ever did for me
’Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees
We stared into each other’s eyes ’til one of us would break
No use to apologize, what diff’rence would it make?
So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine
The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen
Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I’m at
I hate myself for lovin’ you, but I should get over that
Mehrdad Alavi
I hate myself for lovin' you and the weakness that it showed
You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road
The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel
I hate myself for lovin' you and I'm glad the curtain fell
I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed
And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed?
I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within
That hollow place where martyrs weep and angels play with sin
Instrumental
Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped
Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped
Like a slave in orbit, he's beaten 'til he's tame
All for a moment's glory and it's a dirty, rotten shame
Instrumental
There are those who worship loneliness, I'm not one of them
In this age of fiberglass I'm searching for a gem
The crystal ball up on the wall hasn't shown me nothing yet
I've paid the price of solitude, but at last I'm out of debt
Instrumental
Can't recall a useful thing you ever did for me
'Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees
We stared into each other's eyes 'til one of us would break
No use to apologize, what diff'rence would it make?
Instrumental
So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine
The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen
Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I'm at
I hate myself for lovin' you, but I should get over that
Song Writer63
Dylan’s piano playing doesn’t get spoken about much but he did lots of his writing on piano and is an amazing player too.
Johan Sterk
One of my absolute favourite songs of all time. The lyrics are timeless, evocative, simply suberb. 'No use to apologize, what diff'rence would it make?'.
Andrew Hindley
Soon as I see that line I immediately sing it
BilisNegra
In stark contrast with some other kind of mellow songs in this album like Hazel, You Angel You, On A Night Like This... this one once again spills the blood on the tracks and brings back the goosebumps from the finest moments of the previous album
Thomas Hofheinz
following
Pa TENDO
Yes, the song, a death tango in hell, comes through so raw and vital.
padraigoconnor
You mean the next album.;) Great tune alright.
Colin Williams
It's just DYLAN on vocals and piano
and ROBBIE ROBERTSON on accustic guitar
...... simply amazing!!
Fred Fosdick
And they did it in one take. Robbie is playing an acoustic Martin D-28
Cheryl Familant
I really want Bob to live forever. There’ll be no new music once he dies!