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 âfor having created new poetic expressions within the great American song traditionâ. 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
Donât Fall Apart On Me Tonight
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a minute before you touch the door
What is it that you're trying to achieve, girl?
Do you think we can talk about it some more?
You know the streets are filled with vipers
Who've lost all ray of hope
You know, it ain't even safe no more
In the palace of the Pope
Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday's just a memory
Tomorrow is never what it's supposed to be
And I need you, yeah
Come over here from over there, girl
Sit down here, you can have my chair
I can't see us going anywhere, girl
The only place open is a thousand miles away and I can't take you there
I wish I'd have been a doctor
Maybe I'd have saved some life that had been lost
Maybe I'd have done some good in the world
'Stead of burning every bridge I crossed
Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday's just a memory
Tomorrow is never what it's supposed to be
And I need you, yeah
I ain't too good at conversation, girl
So you might not know exactly how I feel
But if I could, I'd bring you to the mountaintop, girl
And build you a house made out of stainless steel
But it's like I'm stuck inside a painting
ThatÂŽs like hanging in the loose
My throat starts to tickle and my nose itches
But I know that I can't move
Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday's gone but the past lives on
Tomorrow's just one step beyond
And I need you, yeah
Who are these people who are walking towards you
Do you know them or will there be a fight?
With their humorless smiles so easy to see through
Can they tell you what's wrong from right?
Or do you remember St. James Street
Where you blew Jackie P.'s mind?
You were so fine, Clark Gable would have fell at your feet
And laid his life on the line
Let's try to get beneath the surface waste, girl
No more booby traps and bombs
No more decadence and charm
No more affection that's been misplaced, girl
No more mud cake creatures lying in your arms
What about that millionaire with the drumsticks in his pants?
He looked so baffled and bewildered
When he played and we didn't dance
Don't fall apart on me tonight
I just don't think that I could handle it
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Yesterday's just a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's supposed to be
And I need you, yeah, you
I need you
The lyrics of Bob Dylan's âDon't Fall Apart On Me Tonightâ are filled with raw emotions and reflections on the struggles of both love and life. The song starts out with the singer begging his girlfriend not to leave just yet, asking her what it is sheâs trying to achieve. He warns her that the streets are filled with vipers who have lost all hope, implying that the world is a dangerous place full of people who are lost and disillusioned. The song then transitions to the singer admitting his own shortcomings and struggles, revealing his desire to make a positive difference in the world, but feeling as though he's stuck in a painting that he can't seem to escape.
Throughout the song, the singer repeatedly asks his girlfriend not to "fall apart" on him, suggesting that he himself is barely holding it together. He acknowledges that yesterday is nothing more than a memory and that tomorrow is never what itâs supposed to be, leaving him grasping for something stable in the present. The song ends on a note of unity, with the singer admitting that heâs not very good at conversation, but still needing his girlfriend to stay by his side as he navigates the uncertainties of life.
Overall, this song is a contemplative piece about the struggles of the modern world and the importance of human connection in these difficult times. It deals with themes of fear, disillusionment, and the desire for stability and purpose. Despite the darkness of the lyrics, there is a subtle message of hope and unity that permeates throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a minute before you leave, girl
Please wait for a moment before you go
Just a minute before you touch the door
Please don't leave yet
What is it that you're trying to achieve, girl?
What are you trying to get accomplished?
Do you think we can talk about it some more?
Can we discuss this further?
You know the streets are filled with vipers
The streets are full of dangerous people
Who've lost all ray of hope
Who have lost all sense of optimism
You know, it ain't even safe no more
It's not even safe anymore
In the palace of the Pope
Even the Pope's palace is not safe
Don't fall apart on me tonight
Please hold it together
I just don't think that I could handle it
I'm not sure if I can handle it
Yesterday's just a memory
The past is only a memory
Tomorrow is never what it's supposed to be
The future is never what we expect
And I need you, yeah
I need you
Come over here from over there, girl
Please move closer to me
Sit down here, you can have my chair
Please sit here and take my seat
I can't see us going anywhere, girl
I don't see a future for us
The only place open is a thousand miles away and I can't take you there
The only option is too far and I can't bring you there
I wish I'd have been a doctor
I regret not becoming a doctor
Maybe I'd have saved some life that had been lost
I could have helped to save lives
Maybe I'd have done some good in the world
I could have made a positive impact on the world
'Stead of burning every bridge I crossed
Instead of ruining relationships
I ain't too good at conversation, girl
I'm not the best at talking
So you might not know exactly how I feel
You may not fully understand my emotions
But if I could, I'd bring you to the mountaintop, girl
If I could, I would take you to the top of the mountain
And build you a house made out of stainless steel
And build you a strong and secure home
But it's like I'm stuck inside a painting
I feel trapped like a painting
ThatÂŽs like hanging in the loose
That is not secure
My throat starts to tickle and my nose itches
I feel nervous and uncomfortable
But I know that I can't move
But I am unable to change
Who are these people who are walking towards you
Who are these people approaching you
Do you know them or will there be a fight?
Are they acquaintances or will they cause trouble?
With their humorless smiles so easy to see through
Their fake smiles are easy to see through
Can they tell you what's wrong from right?
Do they know the difference between right and wrong?
Or do you remember St. James Street
Do you recall St. James Street?
Where you blew Jackie P.'s mind?
When you impressed Jackie P.?
You were so fine, Clark Gable would have fell at your feet
You were so attractive that even Clark Gable would have been charmed
And laid his life on the line
And risked everything for you
Let's try to get beneath the surface waste, girl
Let's try to uncover the real issues
No more booby traps and bombs
No more deceptive or dangerous situations
No more decadence and charm
No more excessive luxury or false attractiveness
No more affection that's been misplaced, girl
No more love that has been given to the wrong person
No more mud cake creatures lying in your arms
No more undesirable and unappealing people in your life
What about that millionaire with the drumsticks in his pants?
What about that rich man with the strange behavior?
He looked so baffled and bewildered
He appeared confused and uncertain
When he played and we didn't dance
When he played music and we didn't dance
Yesterday's just a memory
The past is only a memory
Tomorrow's never what it's supposed to be
The future is never what we expect
And I need you, yeah, you
I need you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheDadsDaughter
My dad loved Bob Dylan. Dylan was his all time favourite. We lost him 18th January at the age of 58. So excuse me whilst i sit and fall apart as this hits the soul even more now than ever.
@merk9569
I am so sorry for your loss. I have some idea of what you are going through. My father died at 42 when I was 12, sixty years ago. Bob Dylan helped me get through the following years. I will be fulfilling a lifelong dream- I will finally see Mr. Tambourine Man in concert in 11 days! Iâm old but still going. đ
@drmaresky
don't fall apart on me...
@MCMoWhine
My Dad loved Bob Dylan and he loved Aaron neville. Rip.
@termidepriest
â@@MCMoWhine
Aaron Neville's version brought me here!! Bob Dylan is a great music writer!! đđ
@thantin4348
I am approaching 90, and Bob Dylan music had been my go-to and chief comforter since my early days as eager immigrant for American culture. Hooked to Bob since his music was a staple at New York radio station WBAI, and Iâm now reliving the old days over the current offering on YouTube!
@frankboyd.
May you stay Forever Young.
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@thantin4348
@@frankboyd.: Frank, thanks : the words are music to my ears.
@fullheart2225
Thank you for your service đ€đ»đ€đ»
@ericpark8784
How cool. WBAI must have been great back then.