Sweetheart Like You
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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Well the pressure's down, the boss ain't here
He's gone North, for a while
They say that vanity got the best of him
But he sure left here in style
By the way, that's a cute hat
And that smile's so hard to resist
But what's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know, I once knew a woman who looked like you
She wanted a whole man, not just a half
She used to call me sweet daddy when I was only a child
You kind of remind me of her when you laugh
In order to deal in this game, got to make the queen disappear
It's done with a flick of the wrist
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

You know a woman like you should be at home
That's where you belong
Taking care for somebody nice
Who don't know how to do you wrong
Just how much abuse will you be able to take?
Well, there's no way to tell by that first kiss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

You know you can make a name for yourself
You can hear them tires squeal
You could be known as the most beautiful woman
Who ever crawled across cut glass to make a deal.

You know, news of you has come down the line
Even before ya came in the door
They say in your father's house, there's many a mansions
Each one of them got a fireproof floor
Snap out of it baby, people are jealous of you
They smile to your face, but behind your back they hiss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

Got to be an important person to be in here, honey
Got to have done some evil deed
Got to have your own harem when you come in the door
Got to play your harp until your lips bleed.
They say that patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel clings
Steal a little and they throw you in jail
Steal a lot and they make you king
There's only one step down from here, baby




It's called the land of permanent bliss
What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Sweetheart Like You" by Bob Dylan are a reflection of societal pressure and gender norms, coupled with the struggle for power and success. Dylan starts off the song by using imagery to paint a picture of a workplace where the pressure is off because the boss is not around, making it easier to let one's guard down. He then goes on to describe a woman with whom he draws parallels to a past love. The lyrics indicate that this woman is living in a dump or a place that is beneath her, given her apparent beauty and charm. The singer seems to suggest that women like her belong at home, taking care of someone nice who wouldn't abuse them. While he acknowledges that the woman has the potential to make a name for herself, he implies that this will require some degree of sacrifice, and even still, those around her will continue to be jealous and conniving.


Line by Line Meaning

Well the pressure's down, the boss ain't here
The boss is gone so there isn't much pressure right now.


He's gone North, for a while
The boss is gone, maybe on vacation or business.


They say that vanity got the best of him
It is said that the boss is too self-centered and concerned with his own appearance and reputation.


But he sure left here in style
The boss left in a fashionable way.


By the way, that's a cute hat
The artist is commenting on the person's cute hat.


And that smile's so hard to resist
The singer is drawn to the person's smile.


But what's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
The singer is curious why someone like the person is in a bad place.


You know, I once knew a woman who looked like you
The artist is drawing a comparison to someone from their past who looked similar to the person.


She wanted a whole man, not just a half
The person from the artist's past wanted a partner who was complete and whole.


She used to call me sweet daddy when I was only a child
The artist is recalling a time when they were affectionately called 'sweet daddy' by the person from their past.


You kind of remind me of her when you laugh
The singer is reminded of the person from their past when the current person laughs.


In order to deal in this game, got to make the queen disappear
To succeed in a situation, one must eliminate the most powerful opponent. This is done metaphorically, referred to making the queen disappear.


It's done with a flick of the wrist
The singer uses their hand as they make this statement to convey how easy it is to remove the queen from the game.


What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
The singer is still wondering why the current person is in a terrible place.


You know a woman like you should be at home
The singer believes the person should be in a better place, like at home.


That's where you belong
The artist reiterates that the person belongs somewhere better.


Taking care for somebody nice
The artist suggests the person should be taking care of someone who treats them well.


Who don't know how to do you wrong
The singer suggests the person should be with someone who will not hurt them.


Just how much abuse will you be able to take?
The singer is questioning how much mistreatment the person can handle.


Well, there's no way to tell by that first kiss
The artist acknowledges that it's difficult to tell how much abuse someone can handle based on a first impression.


What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
The artist repeats their question about why someone like the person is in a terrible place.


You know you can make a name for yourself
The artist believes the person has potential to be successful and famous.


You can hear them tires squeal
The singer suggests that the person can become famous and successful quickly.


You could be known as the most beautiful woman
The artist suggests that the person has the potential to be known as the most beautiful woman.


Who ever crawled across cut glass to make a deal.
The singer metaphorically describes how much the person is willing to do to succeed.


You know, news of you has come down the line
The singer is aware of the person's reputation and fame.


Even before ya came in the door
People have heard about the person before they even met them.


They say in your father's house, there's many a mansions
The artist suggests the person's family is wealthy and has many properties.


Each one of them got a fireproof floor
The artist suggests that each of the mansion's floors is fireproof, indicating how wealthy the person's family is.


Snap out of it baby, people are jealous of you
The singer is urging the person to realize that others are envious of their success.


They smile to your face, but behind your back they hiss
The singer suggests that people are fake and will be negative and speak poorly about the person when they're not around.


What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
The artist still doesn't understand why the person is in a terrible place.


Got to be an important person to be in here, honey
The artist suggests that someone has to be significant to be in a bad place like this.


Got to have done some evil deed
The artist suggests that the person may have done something bad to end up in this place.


Got to have your own harem when you come in the door
The singer makes a humorous comment that someone needs to have multiple partners to be in a bad place like this.


Got to play your harp until your lips bleed.
The artist suggests someone has to play music excessively to end up in a terrible place like this.


They say that patriotism is the last refuge
The singer is referencing the idea that when people have nothing else to hold onto, they cling to patriotism.


To which a scoundrel clings
The singer suggests that people who are dishonest or bad people will rely on patriotism.


Steal a little and they throw you in jail
The singer acknowledges that committing a small crime will have severe consequences and result in punishment like going to jail.


Steal a lot and they make you king
The artist is referencing the fact that sometimes people who commit huge crimes can still become powerful and respected.


There's only one step down from here, baby
The artist suggests that the current place is the lowest one can get, it cannot get worse.


It's called the land of permanent bliss
The singer is being ironic and suggesting that the next step down is actually the opposite of 'bliss,' it is terrible.


What's a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
The singer repeats their question about why someone like the person is in a terrible place.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

baler johnson

Bob is now and has always been the best of the best . Every word is a gem and resonates with every part of my soul .

John Adams

AGREE TOTALLY!!!!!!!!

Betsy Denning

dood. expand just a bit. dylan would want you to. believe that.

Hermine Brown

Fab White I can't here enuff of this song, itz truth, Miss hermine

1caninelover

Tangled up in blue...

baler johnson

well said

2 More Replies...

Mario Nicola Misino

One of the best of the great BOB !!!

Uncle Dan's Vintage Vinyl!

This is a great song--and it's far from the best that Dylan wrote. For many artists, this would be their absolutely best work. That's how great Dylan is.

Sheldon Robertson

@joeseddit This entire album is criminally underrated

Uncle Dan's Vintage Vinyl!

For @Funkhouse Fever Trio, for some reason your reply to this comment of mine won't show up here.

But, yes, you do have a standard: "No one can judge anything until at least 100 years have passed."

That's a stupid standard. Yes, people make judgments. For example, I'm going to judge you to be a worthless sack of wind.

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