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
Katie
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wrote one time and sent her love
Katie's been gone for such a long time now
I wonder what kind of love she's thinkin' of
Dear Katie
If you can hear me
I can't wait to have ya near me
Well, I don't know how things are with us
I'm still here and you're out there (somewhere)
Katie laughed when I said I was lonely
She said, there's no need to feel that way
Katie said that I was her only one
But then I wonder why she didn't want to stay
Dear Katie, if I am the only one
How much longer will you be gone?
Oh, Katie, won't ya tell me straight
How much longer do I have to wait?
I believe you
But please come through
I know it's wrong to be apart this long
You should be here, near me
Katie's been gone and now her face is slowly fading from my mind
She's gone to find some newer places
Left the old life far behind
Dear Katie, don't ya miss your home?
I don't see why you had to roam
Dear Katie, since you've been away
I lose a little something every day
I need you here, but you're still out there
Dear Katie, please drop me a line
Just write, love, tell me you're fine
Oh, Katie, if you can hear me
I just can't wait to have you near me
I can only think
Where are you?
What ya do? Maybe there's someone new
The song Katie's Been Gone by Bob Dylan and The Band is an emotive reflection on the absence of a loved one. The lyrics are a series of unanswered questions directed towards the titular character, who has been gone for an extended period. The first verse is a lamentation of her absence, wondering what kind of love Katie is thinking of while she's away. The following lines expand on the singer's longing and impatience, culminating in a yearning to hear from Katie and know how much longer she'll be gone.
The second verse recalls Katie's prior assurances that the singer was her only one, but laments that she still left anyway. The singer wonders when she'll come home and why she had to roam in the first place. The third and final verse contemplates the melancholy reality of Katie's time away. The memory of her is slowly fading from the singer's mind, and he wonders if she misses home and whether she's found someone new. The song ends with a heartbreaking plea for Katie to drop the singer a line and let him know she's okay.
The song embodies the pain of separation and longing for a loved one. Through its simplicity and directness, it connects with anyone who has ever missed someone special. Overall, Katie's Been Gone is one of the many classic examples of Bob Dylan’s heart-wrenching songwriting talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Katie's been gone since the spring time
It has been a long time since Katie left in the spring
She wrote one time and sent her love
Katie sent a letter expressing love once
Katie's been gone for such a long time now
Katie has been gone for an extended period of time
I wonder what kind of love she's thinkin' of
I question what kind of love Katie is thinking about while gone
Dear Katie
If you can hear me
I can't wait to have ya near me
A message to Katie expressing excitement about their reunion when she returns
Dear, Katie, since ya caught that bus
Well, I don't know how things are with us
I'm still here and you're out there (somewhere)
Uncertainty about their relationship since Katie left on a bus
Katie laughed when I said I was lonely
She said, there's no need to feel that way
Katie said that I was her only one
But then I wonder why she didn't want to stay
Katie claims he was her only love interest, yet she still left him despite his feeling lonely
Dear Katie, if I am the only one
How much longer will you be gone?
Oh, Katie, won't ya tell me straight
How much longer do I have to wait?
I believe you
But please come through
Requesting straight answers from Katie about when she will return
I know it's wrong to be apart this long
You should be here, near me
He believes it's not right to be separated from Katie for such an extended period
Katie's been gone and now her face is slowly fading from my mind
She's gone to find some newer places
Left the old life far behind
Describing that he's slowly forgetting Katie's appearance and how she moved on to find new experiences and leave her old life behind
Dear Katie, don't ya miss your home?
I don't see why you had to roam
Dear Katie, since you've been away
I lose a little something every day
I need you here, but you're still out there
He wonders if Katie misses their home and why she left. His feelings are affected by her absence.
Dear Katie, please drop me a line
Just write, love, tell me you're fine
Oh, Katie, if you can hear me
I just can't wait to have you near me
I can only think
Where are you?
What ya do? Maybe there's someone new
Requesting communication from Katie and expressing fear that Katie found someone new
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Manuel, Jaime Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lauvshahi1439
Katie's been gone since the spring time
She wrote one time'n sent her love
Katie's been gone for such a long time now
I wonder what kind of love she's thinkin' of
Dear Katie
If you can hear me
I can't wait to have ya near me
Dear Katie, since ya caught that bus
Well, I just don't know how things are with us
I'm still here and you're out there somewhere
Katie laughed when I said I was lonely
She said, "There's no need t'feel that way"
Katie said that I was her only one
But then I wonder why she didn't wanna stay
Dear Katie, if I'm the only one
How much longer will you be gone?
Oh, Katie, won't ya tell me straight
How much longer do I have to wait?
I'll believe you
But please come through
I know it's wrong to be apart this long
You should be here, near me
Katie's been gone and now her face is slowly fading from my mind
She's gone to find some newer places
And left the old life far behind
Dear Katie, don't ya miss your home?
I don't see why you had to roam
Dear Katie, since you've been away
I lose a little something every day
I need you here, but you're still out there
Dear Katie, please drop me a line
Just write, Love, to tell me you're fine
Oh, Katie, if you can hear me
I just cant wait to have you near me
I can only think
Where are you
What ya do, maybe there's someone ne
@rosendoruiz7364
Katie se ha ido desde la primavera;
Ella escribió una vez que le envió su amor.
Katie se fue hace mucho tiempo.
Me pregunto en qué clase de amor estará pensando.
Querida Katie,
Si puedes oírme,
No puedo esperar a tenerte cerca de mí.
Oh, Katie, desde que tomaste ese autobús,
Bueno, simplemente no sé cómo están las cosas entre nosotros.
Yo todavía estoy aquí y tú estás ahí afuera.
Katie se rió cuando dije que me sentía solo.
Ella dijo: No hay necesidad de sentirse así.
Katie dijo que yo era él único,
Pero luego se pregunto por qué no quería quedarse.
Querida Katie, si soy el unico
¿Cuánto tiempo más estarás fuera?
Oh, Katie, ¿no me lo dirás directamente?
¿Cuánto más tengo que esperar?
Te creeré,
Pero por favor pasa.
Sé que está mal estar separados tanto tiempo;
Deberías estar aquí, cerca de mí.
Katie se ha ido y ahora su rostro se está desvaneciendo lentamente de mi mente.
Ella ha ido a buscar algunos lugares más nuevos.
Dejó muy atrás la antigua vida.
Querida Katie, ¿no echas de menos tu casa?
No veo por qué tuviste que deambular.
Querida Katie, desde que estás fuera
pierdo algo cada día
Te necesito aquí, pero todavía estás ahí afuera.
Querida Katie, por favor escríbeme.
Sólo escribe, Amor, para decirme que estás bien.
Oh, Katie, si puedes oírme,
No puedo esperar a tenerte cerca de mí.
solo puedo pensar
Dónde estás,
Lo que hagas, puede ser que haya alguien nuevo.
@Nick215NY
This is a sad sad song. A man struggles to believe and accept the brutal reality that his woman has left him. Only Richard Manuel could give this the emotional power that it requires.
@TheStokes8
Always loved the organ chord segue at the end of the bridge, 1:30 so melancholy and resolute in slight contrast to the emotional singing. Beautiful.
@maltesetony9030
Exquisite.
@robertwoodward9231
The Basement Tapes. Totalling 138 full and unfinished compositions. One of the most important times in music history!
@sonyesq
This song gets me every single time!!
@davidcopson5800
Glad to see this is on YouTube.
@thescoobymike
So many different styles omg
@philveness8154
One of Robbie’s finest!
With Manuel’s help
And the Band never sounded better!
@FilmicFocus
This is a co-write...
@kennyglesga
lovely song!