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
Moonlight
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To hear again the songbird's sweet melodious tone
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The dusky light, the day is losing
Orchids, poppies, black-eyed Susan
The earth and sky that melts with flesh and bone
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The air is thick and heavy
All along the levee
Where the geese into the countryside have flown
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
Well, I'm preachin' peace and harmony
The blessings of tranquility
Yet I know when the time is right to strike
I'll take you 'cross the river, dear
You've no need to linger here
I know the kinds of things you like
The clouds are turnin' crimson
The leaves fall from the limbs an'
The branches cast their shadows over stone
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The boulevards of cypress trees
The masquerades of birds and bees
The petals, pink and white, the wind has blown
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The trailing moss and mystic glow
The purple blossoms soft as snow
My tears keep flowing to the sea
Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
It takes a thief to catch a thief
For whom does the bell toll for, love?
It tolls for you and me
My pulse is runnin' through my palm
The sharp hills are rising from
The yellow fields with twisted oaks that groan
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The lyrics of Bob Dylan’s song “Moonlight” present an invitation to a lover to meet under the natural light of the moon. The refrain “Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?” is repeated throughout the song, creating a sense of urgency and intimacy. The first stanza sets the scene with the turning of the seasons and a yearning heart, evoking a sense of both longing and hopefulness. The second stanza describes the fading light of day and the beauty of nature, with references to flowers, earth, and sky. The third stanza adds a layer of mysticism, with the heavy air and the presence of geese flying away. The fourth stanza introduces a more political tone, with the singer preaching peace and harmony but also acknowledging the need for action when the time is right. The fifth and sixth stanzas return to the natural imagery, with references to cypress trees, birds, bees, petals, and moss. The final stanza presents a twist, with the mention of a thief catching a thief and the ringing of a bell tolling for the lovers. The song ends with the same urgent refrain as the beginning.
The lyrics of “Moonlight” are characteristic of Bob Dylan’s style, with their intricate imagery and shifting perspectives. The song was released in 2016 as part of Dylan’s album “Fallen Angels”, which was composed of classic American songs from the 1920s to the 1960s. Dylan’s interpretation of these songs was praised for its sincerity and simplicity, and “Moonlight” was considered one of the highlights of the album. The song was also featured prominently in the soundtrack of the film “Wonderstruck” (2017), directed by Todd Haynes. The film, which received critical acclaim, tells the story of two deaf children who embark on separate journeys to New York City, fifty years apart. The song plays a pivotal role in the film, connecting the two stories and creating a sense of nostalgia and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
The seasons they are turnin' and my sad heart is yearnin'
As the seasons change, I am filled with a longing and sadness that I cannot shake.
To hear again the songbird's sweet melodious tone
I crave the joy and beauty of nature, like the sweet song of a bird.
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
I am asking for a secret meeting under the moonlight, away from the prying eyes of others.
The dusky light, the day is losing
As the light fades and darkness approaches, the day is coming to an end.
Orchids, poppies, black-eyed Susan
I am surrounded by beautiful flowers, like orchids, poppies, and black-eyed Susans.
The earth and sky that melts with flesh and bone
The natural world and human experience are intertwined and inseparable.
The air is thick and heavy
The atmosphere is tense and oppressive, as if a storm is brewing.
All along the levee
I am standing by the riverbank, watching the geese fly away into the distance.
Where the geese into the countryside have flown
The geese have flown away to a far-off place, leaving me behind to face my own loneliness.
Well, I'm preachin' peace and harmony
Although I advocate for peace and harmony, I know that there are times when conflict is necessary.
The blessings of tranquility
I believe in the power and value of calmness and stillness.
Yet I know when the time is right to strike
I understand that there are moments when action and aggression are called for.
I'll take you 'cross the river, dear
I want to guide you to a new, unknown place where we can find happiness together.
You've no need to linger here
I believe that you are meant for greater things than what is around you now.
I know the kinds of things you like
I understand your desires and what will make you happy.
The clouds are turnin' crimson
The sky is filled with a fiery, red light as the sun sets.
The leaves fall from the limbs an'
The leaves are dropping from the trees as autumn approaches.
The branches cast their shadows over stone
The branches of the trees create dark shadows that stretch over the stones on the ground.
The boulevards of cypress trees
There are beautiful boulevards lined with majestic cypress trees.
The masquerades of birds and bees
The birds and bees weave and dance through the trees in a lively, playful way.
The petals, pink and white, the wind has blown
The wind has blown the beautiful, delicate petals of pink and white flowers away.
The trailing moss and mystic glow
There is a beautiful green moss that grows in long, trailing strands and creates a mystical aura.
The purple blossoms soft as snow
The soft, delicate purple blossoms are as beautiful and pure as freshly fallen snow.
My tears keep flowing to the sea
My sadness and sorrow continue to pour out of me, like water flowing into the sea.
Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
No matter who you are or what your station in life, we all have our own struggles.
It takes a thief to catch a thief
Sometimes the only way to overcome an obstacle is to fight fire with fire.
For whom does the bell toll for, love?
What does fate have in store for us, my love?
It tolls for you and me
We are both shaped by the forces of fate and destiny.
My pulse is runnin' through my palm
My heart is racing with excitement and anticipation.
The sharp hills are rising from
The hilly landscape is rugged and sharp, but beautiful in its own way.
The yellow fields with twisted oaks that groan
The fields are lined with twisted oak trees that creak and groan in the wind.
Won't you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
Please join me in a secret rendezvous under the light of the moon, far away from prying eyes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bryankeisling132
Lyrics:
The seasons they are turning and my sad heart is yearning
To hear again the songbird’s sweet melodious tone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The dusky light, the day is losing, Orchids, Poppies, Black-eyed Susan
The earth and sky that melts with flesh and bone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The air is thick and heavy all along the levy
Where the geese into the countryside have flown
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
Well, I’m preaching peace and harmony
The blessings of tranquility
Yet I know when the time is right to strike
I’ll take you cross the river dear
You’ve no need to linger here
I know the kinds of things you like
The clouds are turning crimson–the leaves fall from the limbs an’
The branches cast their shadows over stone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The boulevards of cypress trees, the masquerades of birds and bees
The petals, pink and white, the wind has blown
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The trailing moss and mystic glow
Purple blossoms soft as snow
My tears keep flowing to the sea
Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
It takes a thief to catch a thief
For whom does the bell toll for, love? It tolls for you and me
My pulse is running through my palm–the sharp hills are rising from
The yellow fields with twisted oaks that groan
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
@worldgonewrong2049
There's not a dud on that fine album. One of Dylan's best. YMMV!
@kanjiwooowooo3202
Couldn't agree more!
@chrisdonegan2566
It's my favorite. After my divorce, i moved back to California. One night, i smoked a big joint and listened to this all the way through. It's a masterpiece. His gravelly voice is profound here. It's like he finally became the grumpy old man that always lurked inside. Fucking legend.
@BlindArthurBlake
Was lucky enough to see him 5 times right after this album came out; Chicago, IL, Milwaukee & Madison, WI (Madison on Halloween - that was a hoot!), State College, PA and Morgantown, WV. Was an awesome time to be a Dylan fan
@Ad-Ac
@Chris Donegan And still going. His last album is golden as well.
@JorgeLMarquezsM
Recuerdo ahora las primeras escuchas de este disco, cuando apareció el 2001... Es Dylan como siempre, pero expandido, aumentado, moviendo algo siempre, algo permanente.
@bryankeisling132
Lyrics:
The seasons they are turning and my sad heart is yearning
To hear again the songbird’s sweet melodious tone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The dusky light, the day is losing, Orchids, Poppies, Black-eyed Susan
The earth and sky that melts with flesh and bone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The air is thick and heavy all along the levy
Where the geese into the countryside have flown
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
Well, I’m preaching peace and harmony
The blessings of tranquility
Yet I know when the time is right to strike
I’ll take you cross the river dear
You’ve no need to linger here
I know the kinds of things you like
The clouds are turning crimson–the leaves fall from the limbs an’
The branches cast their shadows over stone
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The boulevards of cypress trees, the masquerades of birds and bees
The petals, pink and white, the wind has blown
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
The trailing moss and mystic glow
Purple blossoms soft as snow
My tears keep flowing to the sea
Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief
It takes a thief to catch a thief
For whom does the bell toll for, love? It tolls for you and me
My pulse is running through my palm–the sharp hills are rising from
The yellow fields with twisted oaks that groan
Won’t you meet me out in the moonlight alone?
@jitsroller
Poetry set to music.
@chaza.170
Bob, you're a real romantic. A master of words. What a beautiful song.
🌃🌹😘
@kanjiwooowooo3202
Who can make such a masterpiece at 60 years old?