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
Hazel
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with you anywhere.
You got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love.
Hazel, stardust in your eye
You're goin' somewhere and so am I.
I'd give you the sky high above
Oh no, I don't need any reminder
To know how much I really care
But it's just making me blinder and blinder
Because I'm up on a hill and still you're not there.
Hazel, you called and I came,
Now don't make me play this waiting game.
You've got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love.
The lyrics of Bob Dylan's song "Hazel" seem to be a confession of love towards a woman named Hazel. The singer admires her dirty-blonde hair and expresses his willingness to be seen with her anywhere. He is apparently smitten with her, and her "little touch of love" is something he desires. The lyrics continue to describe Hazel as having stardust in her eyes and being ambitious enough to be going somewhere, and so is the singer. He even goes as far as saying that he would give her the sky high above for a little touch of her love.
However, the singer seems to be a bit frustrated with the situation with Hazel. Although he cares for her deeply, the fact that she's not with him is making him "blinder and blinder". The chorus reassures Hazel of his love for her and insists that she shouldn't make him play the waiting game. Hazel has something that he wants plenty of, and that something seems to be her love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hazel" are a straightforward love song with a touch of frustration. The singer desires Hazel's love and doesn't want to wait for it anymore. The song is a testament to Dylan's ability to express complex emotions through simple yet poetic lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Hazel, dirty-blonde hair
The singer is attracted to a woman named Hazel because of her appearance
I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with you anywhere.
The singer is not ashamed to show his affection for Hazel in public
You got something I want plenty of
The singer desires certain qualities in Hazel
Ooh, a little touch of your love.
The singer craves affection from Hazel
Hazel, stardust in your eye
The singer finds Hazel to be ambitious and full of potential
You're goin' somewhere and so am I.
The singer believes that both he and Hazel have bright futures ahead of them
I'd give you the sky high above
The singer is willing to do anything to win Hazel's affection
Ooh, for a little touch of your love.
The singer desires affection from Hazel above all else
Oh no, I don't need any reminder
The singer is fully aware of his feelings for Hazel
To know how much I really care
The singer's love for Hazel is already very strong
But it's just making me blinder and blinder
The singer's love for Hazel is causing him to overlook potential red flags
Because I'm up on a hill and still you're not there.
The singer feels like he is above others in his love for Hazel, but she has not reciprocated those feelings
Hazel, you called and I came,
Hazel has shown some level of interest in the singer, and he has responded
Now don't make me play this waiting game.
The singer wants Hazel to give him a clear answer about her feelings
You've got something I want plenty of
The singer finds Hazel's qualities to be highly desirable
Ooh, a little touch of your love.
The singer desires affection from Hazel more than anything else
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Hazel, dirty-blonde hair
I wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with you anywhere
You got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love
[Verse 2]
Hazel, stardust in your eye
You’re going somewhere and so am I
I’d give you the sky high above
Ooh, for a little touch of your love
[Bridge]
Oh no, I don’t need any reminder
To know how much I really care
But it’s just making me blinder and blinder
Because I’m up on a hill and still you’re not there
[Verse 3]
Hazel, you called and I came
Now don’t make me play this waiting game
You’ve got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love
KEZ RK MAYALL
Always been one of my favourites. I think Planet Waves is hugely underrated due to it being the album that preceded Blood On The Tracks. It's the only album with all of the Band backing him. It has Going Going Gone, Tough Mama, Something There Is About You, Hazel, Dirge, Forever Young, You Angel You, Never Say Goodbye and Wedding Song. What's not to love about this brilliant album. I love Nashville Skyline, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid Soundtrack, Shot Of Love. All albums that get ignored. We all know about The Freewheelin, Bringing It all Back Home (my personal favourite), Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde, Blood On The Tracks, Desire, Oh Mercy, Time Out Of Mind, but there's some really good albums that seem not to get the credit they deserve. John Wesley Harding, New Morning.
Summer Austin
a person sang this to me in italy, where i was stay ing, had this tape on a table, i took it then got back and hear, do you have our tape? i sent it back
Joe Joe Joe
Agree 100%. Played this album constantly when it came out. I also associate it with cold winter nights. I used to play a few tracks before setting out on long distance runs in the dark.
Chaz A.
Bob has a special gift in his songs... It goes right into the heart. He touches my soul. ❤️ This talent is unique. I don't know it from any other artist.
78deathface
I think this is Bob’s best album in my opinion. It’s just raw and pure
KEZ RK MAYALL
Bob's made so many great albums i think we all have our personal favourite.
Mine is Bringing It All Back Home, but if I'm listening to Planet Waves then that is my favourite at that time, or Nashville Skyline.
Whatever Dylan album i listen to i get so immersed in it, that is my favourite.
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Hazel, dirty-blonde hair
I wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with you anywhere
You got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love
[Verse 2]
Hazel, stardust in your eye
You’re going somewhere and so am I
I’d give you the sky high above
Ooh, for a little touch of your love
[Bridge]
Oh no, I don’t need any reminder
To know how much I really care
But it’s just making me blinder and blinder
Because I’m up on a hill and still you’re not there
[Verse 3]
Hazel, you called and I came
Now don’t make me play this waiting game
You’ve got something I want plenty of
Ooh, a little touch of your love
Joe Joe Joe
Sent a few variations of that to girlfriends back in the day.
Olga Tee
Thanks Bryan Keisling🌺
Olga Tee
🌹