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
From a Buick Six
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But my soulful mama, you know she keeps me hid
She's a junkyard angel and she always gives me bread
Well, if I go down dyin', you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed
Well, when the pipeline gets broken and I'm lost on the river bridge
I'm all cracked up on the highway and in the water's edge
And then she comes down a thruway, ready to sew me up with a thread
Well, she don't make me nervous, she don't talk too much
She walks like Bo Diddley and she don't need no crutch
She keeps this four-ten all loaded with lead
Well, if I go down dyin', you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed, c'mon
Well, you know I need a steam shovel, mama, to keep away the dead
I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
She brings me everything and more, and just like I said
Well, if I go down dyin', you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed
In "From a Buick Six", Bob Dylan describes his gratitude to his partner, a woman who he characterizes as a "junkyard angel." This woman provides for him in many ways, including taking care of their children, and she keeps him hidden from prying eyes. Dylan describes her as a strong and capable woman, who doesn't make him nervous and doesn't need any help getting around. In the song's chorus, Dylan speaks of how this woman will always be there to take care of him, even in death, by placing a blanket on his bed.
Throughout the song, Dylan paints a picture of a man who is lost and broken, and even dying. He speaks of a broken pipeline and being lost on a river bridge. But, regardless of how bad things get, his partner is always there to save him. She comes to him, ready to "sew me up with a thread," and is constantly bringing him everything he needs, from a gun to protect himself to the steel will to carry on.
The song's lyrics are simple, but Dylan's poetic delivery makes them feel incredibly profound. It's a beautiful tribute to a loving partner who supports you through everything, and it's a reminder to appreciate the people who are there for you.
Line by Line Meaning
I got this graveyard woman, you know she keeps my kids
I have a woman who takes care of my children, but she has a dark and mysterious past.
But my soulful mama, you know she keeps me hid
My other woman, who I'm more emotionally attached to, hides me from the world and protects me.
She's a junkyard angel and she always gives me the bread
Despite her rough exterior, she provides for me and takes care of me.
Well, if I go down dyin', you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed
If I were to die, she would still take care of me and make sure I'm comfortable.
Well, when the pipeline gets broken and I'm lost on the river bridge
When everything falls apart and I'm in a difficult situation,
I'm all cracked up on the highway and in the water's edge
Feeling broken and lost on the edge of a river.
And then she comes down the thruway, ready to sew me up with a thread
But my woman comes to my rescue and helps me fix my problems.
Well, she don't make me nervous, she don't talk too much
My woman is calm and collected, and doesn't talk excessively.
She walks like Bo Diddley and she don't need no crutch
She has a confident and strong demeanor, and doesn't need anyone to lean on.
She keeps this four-ten all loaded with lead
She is a skilled and prepared protector, ready to defend me with a loaded shotgun.
Well, you know I need a steam shovel, mama, to keep away the dead
I need something powerful to keep me alive and push away death.
I need a dump truck, baby, to unload my head
I need someone who can help me ease my mind and deal with my problems.
She brings me everything and more, and just like I said
My woman takes care of me and goes above and beyond what I expect from her.
Well, if I go down dyin', you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed
Even in death, she will be there for me and make sure I'm comfortable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
From a Buick 6
뷰익 6 안에서
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
I got this graveyard woman, you know she keeps my kids
이 묘지에 사는 여자가 내 애인인데, 당신도 그가 내 아이들을 돌본다는 것을 알지
But my soulful mama you know she keeps me hid
그렇지만 감정이 충만한 우리 어머님은, 그가 날 숨겨 준다는 것을 알아
She's a junkyard angel and she always gives me bread
그는 쓰레기더미의 천사이고, 항상 내게 빵을 줘
Well if I go down dyin' you know she's bound to put a blanket on my bed
만약 내가 죽으러 내려간다면, 그는 내 침대에 담요를 놓을 거야
Well when the pipeline gets broken and I'm lost on the river bridge
송수관이 부러지고 내가 잔교(棧橋) 위에서 갇히게 된다면
I'm all cracked up on the highway and in the water's edge
난 국도 위에서 산산조각이 되어 강가에 설 거야
And then she comes down the thruway ready to sew me up with a thread
그러면 그는 도로 위로 와서는 날 실로 기워 주지
Well she don't make me nervous, she don't talk too much
그는 날 불안하게 만들지 않고, 수다를 떨지 않아
She walks like bo diddley and she don't need no crutch
그는 보 디들리(1950년대에 활동한 미국의 R&B 가수) 처럼 걷고, 목발은 필요 없다네
She keeps this four-ten all loaded with lead
그는 이 410 샷건을 모두 납탄환으로 채운다네
Well you know I need a steam-shovel mama to keep away the dead
죽은 자를 쫓으려면 굴착기 하나가 필요해
I need a dump truck baby to unload my head
그렇지만 내 머리를 땅에 놓으려면 덤프트럭 하나가 필요할 거야
She brings me everything and more and just like I said
그는 뭐든지 내가 말한대로 주지
@dylan11558
Dylan's voice is an instrument that brings the lyrics, the song to a level like no one else can.
@pistachoone1958
That's why he's one of the best singers if not the best
@robertozadik7499
Underrated powerful song..chosen words, strange hypnotic voice, rhythm boogie woogie..fantastic Dylan
@firstlasterson1213
Dont say 'boogie woogie'
@shoegazer01
Good words, powerful description, unfortunate use of boogie woogie tho. LOLZ
@Jalapablo
Not underrated at all to Dylan fans. Stephen King named a story after it, and this was Steve Jobs's favorite song
@firstlasterson1213
We all know
@bonnerscott5374
@First Lasterson Lol, thats funny.
@curtismoff
Definitely my favorite album from Bobby
@johndorfner8030
Got this when I was 13, it just came out. I am 70 now and never stopped listening to it. Still have the original album.