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
Shake
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get the blues for you baby when I look up at the sun
Come back here, we can have some real fun
Well it's early in the evening and everything is still
Well it's early in the evening and everything is still
One more time, I'm walking up around the hill
Shake shake mama like a ship going out to sea
You took all my money and you gave it to Richard Lee
Down by the river judge Simpson's walking around
Down by the river judge Simpson's walking around
Nothing shocks me more than that old clown
Some of you women, you really know your stuff
Some of you women, you really know your stuff
But your clothes are all torn and your language is a little too rough
Shake shake mama, shake until the break of day
Shake shake mama, shake until the break of day
I'm right here baby, I'm not that far away
I'm motherless, fatherless, almost friendless too
I'm motherless, fatherless, almost friendless too
It's Friday morning, going to Franklin Avenue
Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay
Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay
If you're goin' on home, better go the shortest way
The lyrics of "Shake Shake Mama" by Bob Dylan depict a man yearning for his lover. The opening line, "I get the blues for you baby when I look up at the sun," describes how much he misses her, implied by the overwhelming sense of sadness he feels when he is reminded of her. He then pleads for her to come back to him, promising that they can have some real fun. The following verse is more subdued, with the singer describing a peaceful moment in the early evening. This moment acts as a sort of respite before he returns to his longing for his lover.
The chorus, "Shake shake mama like a ship going out to sea," could be interpreted as a call to action, urging his lover to get moving and return to him. The accusation that she gave all his money to Richard Lee suggests some sort of betrayal or deception, perhaps a reason for her absence. The mention of Judge Simpson and his shock at the "old clown" could be a metaphor for the singer feeling out of place or like an outsider in his own world.
The lyrics take a turn in the second half of the song, with the singer addressing "some of you women" generally. He admires their knowledge and expertise, but criticizes them for their rough language and torn clothes. The final call to action, "Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay," is once again imploring his lover to come back to him. The last line, "If you're goin' on home, better go the shortest way," shows that the singer is aware that his lover might be hesitant to return to him, and is urging her to not waste any more time.
Line by Line Meaning
I get the blues for you baby when I look up at the sun
Looking at the sun reminds me of you and makes me feel blue.
Come back here, we can have some real fun
If you come back here, we can have a good time together.
Well it's early in the evening and everything is still
It's still early in the evening and everything is quiet.
One more time, I'm walking up around the hill
I'm going to take a walk around the hill one more time.
Shake shake mama like a ship going out to sea
Move your body like a ship leaving the harbor.
You took all my money and you gave it to Richard Lee
You took all my money and gave it to someone named Richard Lee.
Down by the river judge Simpson's walking around
Judge Simpson is walking around by the river.
Nothing shocks me more than that old clown
The old clown is the most surprising thing I've seen.
Some of you women, you really know your stuff
Some women really know what they're doing.
But your clothes are all torn and your language is a little too rough
Your clothes are torn and your language is too crude.
Shake shake mama, shake until the break of day
Keep dancing until the sun comes up.
I'm right here baby, I'm not that far away
I'm close by, don't worry.
I'm motherless, fatherless, almost friendless too
I don't have parents and I don't have many friends.
It's Friday morning, going to Franklin Avenue
It's Friday morning and I'm heading to Franklin Avenue.
Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay
Shake it up and shout out loud.
If you're goin' on home, better go the shortest way
If you're going home, take the shortest route.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DYLAN, ROBERT HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nissi.k
Have a little song
Won't take long
Sing it right
Once or twice
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn my watch
Pawn my chain
Pawn everything that was in my name
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn by buggy
Horse and cart
Pawn everything that was on my lot
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn my chair
Pawn my bed
Ain't got nowhere to lay my head
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn my tobacco
Pawn my pipe
Pawned everything that was in my sight
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Have a little secret
I ain't gonna tell
I'm going to heaven in a brown pea shell
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn my farm
Pawn my plough
Pawned everything, even pawned my old cow
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Pawn my hat
Pawn my shoes
Pawned everything that I could use
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Have a little secret,
I ain't gonna tell
I'm goin' to heaven and I ain't goin' no...
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Chew my tobacco
Spit my juice
We raise cain but it ain't a bit 'a use
Oh, lordy me
Didn't I shake sugaree?
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned
Everything I got is done and pawned.
@marakaretsos5204
Where MUSIC LIVES......
BOB DYLAN !!!
🎼🎼🎶🎶🎼🎼🎸🎸🎸🎸⭐️⭐️
@nissi.k
Thanks Georgia Sam this is a super cool cover! Bob nails it in every way! I think to shake Sugaree is from the practice of throwing sugar in the floor and dancing on it. Metaphorically it’s about blowing all your money on having a good time and the consequences are having to pawn all that you own because of it! Lol! Love the photo for this too! 😎🌟
@georgiasam4151
Excellent description and interpretation, thank you nissi!
@mario7frankielee
nissi K
this is the first description that makes sense
thank you⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
i play this song
myself and could never explain 😱
@markanon5581
They're doin' the double shuffle, they're throwin' saaaaaand on the floor
@broken1394
@@markanon5581
https://youtu.be/F6ayp-YBMOY
@markanon5581
@@broken1394 That'sa very good rendition! Thanks
@broken1394
Lovely performance and great sound.
I dig it.
❤
@rachelee73
Got to agree a few covers this year like this would be nice with Bobs new life in concert 🎶🎷
@ericusdaniel7890
the best ever