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
Duncan and Brady
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Along came Brady in his 'lectric car
Got a mean look right in his eye
Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die
Well, he been on the job too long
Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar
Along comes Brady with his shiny star
And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest
Yes, he been on the job too long
Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long
Well, old King Brady was a big fat man
Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand
He felt for his pulse, doctor said
"I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead"
Yes, he been on the job too long
High tailed carriages standing around
Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground
High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack
Well, they took him to the graveyard
But they didn't bring him back
Yes, he been on the job too long
Well, women all heard King Brady was dead
They go back home and re-rag in red
Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street
In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet
He been on the job too long
Well, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long
Bob Dylan's song "Duncan and Brady" tells the story of two men who meet in a bar, one of whom is a corrupt police officer who has been on the job for too long. As the lyrics go, "He been on the job too long." The other man, Duncan, tends the bar and the two of them exchange heated words. When the officer, named Brady, tries to arrest Duncan, a scuffle ensues and Duncan shoots him dead.
The song then tells of the aftermath of the shooting, with the doctor confirming Brady's death and the women of the town mourning him in their Mother Hubbard dresses. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "He been on the job too long," suggesting that the corruption and violence of law enforcement can only last for so long before it comes crashing down.
The lyrics of "Duncan and Brady" have been interpreted in a number of ways, with some speculating that it is related to the murder of New York officer John Brady in the 1850s. Others believe it may refer to a real-life incident in which a police officer in Dylan's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota was shot and killed.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's twinkle, twinkle little star
The song begins with a line that doesn't have any direct connection to the rest of the song. It's just an introduction to the story that's about to unfold.
Along came Brady in his 'lectric car
Brady, the sheriff, arrives in his electric car, which was a fairly new invention at the time, to the bar where Duncan is tending bar.
Got a mean look right in his eye
Brady has a look on his face that suggests that he means business and he's not there for a friendly chat.
Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die
Brady is so threatening that Dylan implies that he would shoot someone just to watch them die. It shows how brutal and dangerous Brady is.
Well, he been on the job too long
The repetition of this line at the end of every stanza acts as a chorus and suggests that Brady's been a sheriff for too long and has become corrupted by the power of his position.
Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar
Duncan, the singer of the song, is introduced properly. He's doing his job, just as he always does.
Along comes Brady with his shiny star
Brady arrives and brandishes his badge, which is a symbol of his supposed authority. It's shiny and new, but it doesn't fool Duncan.
Brady says, Duncan, you are under arrest
Brady accuses Duncan of some vague crime and attempts to place him under arrest.
And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest
Duncan, fearing for his life, defends himself against Brady by shooting him dead.
Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Duncan speaks to Brady's corpse and confirms that he knows he deserved what he got. He's calling out the corruption that led to Brady's downfall.
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Duncan highlights the injustice of Brady's actions. He interrupted the game that the regulars at the bar were enjoying, which was harmless fun.
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
Duncan shows how much damage Brady caused just to try and assert his power and control over the people in the bar.
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Duncan's actions have led to Brady's death, and he acknowledges it. It's the inevitable conclusion to Brady's abusive behavior.
Well, old King Brady was a big fat man
Duncan derisively refers to Brady as 'King Brady', mocking his supposed authority and status in the town.
Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand
The doctor takes Brady's pulse, which confirms that he's dead. There's no hope for him.
He felt for his pulse, doctor said
The repetition of the word 'pulse' emphasizes the finality of death, and how it's a physical, measurable event.
I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead
Despite the doctor's medical training, he's still referring to Brady as 'King Brady', acknowledging his power in the town.
High tailed carriages standing around
The townspeople have come to take Brady's body away, and they're waiting patiently.
Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground
The townspeople are going to give Brady a proper burial, but it's not clear if they're doing it out of respect for him or just as a formality.
High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack
The type of carriage that's transporting Brady's body is mentioned. It's a small detail, but it adds to the overall mood and atmosphere of the song.
Well, they took him to the graveyard
The townspeople follow through on their intentions and properly bury Brady's body in the graveyard.
But they didn't bring him back
Despite the effort of the townspeople, they can't bring Brady back to life. His actions have led him to a permanent end, and there's no resurrection for him.
Well, women all heard King Brady was dead
The news of Brady's death spreads quickly, and even women, who are not usually involved in such matters, come out to hear what happened.
They go back home and re-rag in red
The women are wearing red clothes as a sign of mourning for Brady's death. This is a form of ritualistic behavior that people engage in to show respect for the dead.
Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street
The women are not walking with their usual grace and dignity, but in a shuffling, unsteady way that captures the sense of chaos and confusion that surrounds Brady's death.
In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet
The women are wearing comfortable clothes that allow them to move freely, but also suggest that they're in a state of undress and disarray.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boba Mis
This is glorious. Was the first song I ever saw Bob play in person, the next year in Memphis. Great, great stuff! He was on a roll in Fall '00.
Larry Francona
... that was a great sound in the early 2000s, Bobby. So true.
Bernie Bass
Again, an outstanding performance of "Duncan & Brady" by Mr Bob 😀
Larry Francona
Saw many shows during this era. Loved the Duncan & Brady opener. The Larry Campbell Era - beauty.
DorothyParker
I loved when his shows opened with that one, and Roving Gambler, and that lovely fragrance of Nag Champa. You can even see the big sticks of it in the video! Great times! Thanks!
Peter Piper
Love that track........
peki buzz
20 years ago, can you believe it? 🥰
peki buzz
@Woolhall Just phantastic, happy for you, good memories! 🥰👍😎
Woolhall
Yes , I was one of the lucky ones to get a ticket with my brother and travel over to Ireland and film this, but got stopped halfway through the show, but happy to get the first few songs inc this gem.
Poobalan Pather
Never can get a proper live video of Bob Dylan. It's always someone's cell fone.