T.V. Talkin' Song
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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One time in London I'd gone out for a walk,
Past a place called Hyde park where people talk
'Bout all kinds of different gods, they have their point of view
To anyone passing by, that's who they're talking to.

There was someone on a platform talking to the folks
About the T.V. god and all the pain that it invokes.
"It's too bright a light", he said, "For anybody's eyes,
If you've never seen one it's a blessing in disguise."

I moved in closer, got up on my toes,
Two men in front of me were coming to blows
The man was saying something 'bout children when they're young
Being sacrificed to it while lullabies are being sung.

"The news of the day is on all the time,
All the latest gossip, all the latest rhyme,
Your mind is your temple, keep it beautiful and free,
Don't let an egg get laid in it by something you can't see."

"Pray for peace!". he said, you could feel it in the crowd.
My thoughts began to wander. His voice was ringing loud,
"It will destroy your family, your happy home is gone
No one can protect you fro it once you turn it on."

"It will led you into some strange pursuits,
Lead you to the land of forbidden fruits.
It will scramble up your head and drag your brain about,
Sometimes you gotta do like Elvis did and shoot the damn thing out."

"It's all been designed", he said, "To make you lose your mind,
And when you go back to find it, there's nothing there to find."
"Everytime you look at it, your situation's worse,
If you feel it grabbing out for you, send for the nurse."

The crowd began to riot and they grabbed hold of the man,
There was pushing, there was shoving and everybody ran.




The T.V. crew was there to film it, they jumped right over me,
Later on that evening, I watched it on T.V..

Overall Meaning

The song T.V. Talkin' Song by Bob Dylan is a commentary on the negative effects of television on society. Dylan narrates a personal experience of walking through Hyde park in London, where he witnessed a man speaking on a platform about the negative effects of television. The singer describes the television as a "T.V. god" that causes pain and destruction, destroying people's families and homes once they switch it on. The singer compares the television to a bright light, which is a blessing in disguise for those who have never experienced it. Dylan highlights the absurdity of the situation as he describes people in Hyde park talking about different gods according to their views, adding the TV god to the list.


As Dylan moves closer to the singer, two men in front of him start to argue about the effects of television on children. The singer suggests that children are being sacrificed to it while lullabies are being sung. He warns about the news and current events being on all the time, leading to strange pursuits and forbidden fruits. The singer adds that watching TV will scramble up one's head, dragging the brain about, just like what happened to Elvis, who decided to shoot the damn thing out. The singer emphasizes that television has been designed to make people lose their minds and when they go back to find it, there's nothing there to find. The singer observes that the audience starts to riot, and the TV crew films the incident for the news.


Overall, the song discusses how television should be viewed as dangerous for its negative effects on the human brain, leading people to pursue strange things and neglect their families. Dylan emphasizes the need to keep one's mind and thoughts "beautiful and free." He warns that it will lead to the destruction of the family and, once turned on, nobody can protect them from its power.


Line by Line Meaning

One time in London I'd gone out for a walk, Past a place called Hyde park where people talk 'Bout all kinds of different gods, they have their point of view To anyone passing by, that's who they're talking to.
The singer is narrating his trip to Hyde Park in London where he witnessed people having different opinions about religion and gods, and arguing about them in public. He notes that the people are vocalizing their views to anyone and everyone they encounter.


There was someone on a platform talking to the folks About the T.V. god and all the pain that it invokes. "It's too bright a light", he said, "For anybody's eyes, If you've never seen one it's a blessing in disguise."
The singer observes a speaker preaching about the T.V. god, explaining the negative impact it has on people. The singer metaphorically refers to T.V. as a 'bright light' that can blind people. He further claims that if someone has never seen T.V., it is a good thing.


I moved in closer, got up on my toes, Two men in front of me were coming to blows The man was saying something 'bout children when they're young Being sacrificed to it while lullabies are being sung.
The singer pushes himself forward to hear the conversation between two men standing near the singer. The argument is about how children are exposed to T.V. at a very young age and how it affects them. One of the men claims that children are robbed of their innocence and are 'sacrificed' to T.V. while being sung lullabies.


"The news of the day is on all the time, All the latest gossip, all the latest rhyme, Your mind is your temple, keep it beautiful and free, Don't let an egg get laid in it by something you can't see."
The artist expresses how the news is always on T.V. and how it peddles gossip and rumors. He advises people to keep their minds pure and to not let something they cannot visualize affect them negatively.


"Pray for peace!". he said, you could feel it in the crowd. My thoughts began to wander. His voice was ringing loud, "It will destroy your family, your happy home is gone No one can protect you fro it once you turn it on."
The artist requests the crowd to pray for peace, and the singer notes the uplifting effect it has on the gathering. The artist then warns them about the dangerous impact of T.V. on families and relationships, emphasizing that once it has a hold on them, no one can help them.


"It will led you into some strange pursuits, Lead you to the land of forbidden fruits. It will scramble up your head and drag your brain about, Sometimes you gotta do like Elvis did and shoot the damn thing out."
The singer elucidates how T.V. can divert people to forbidden pursuits, leading them to become obsessed with things that are not good for them. It confuses their minds and causes disarray. He highlights how Elvis Presley 'got rid of T.V. by shooting it,' implying that people need to detach themselves from it to regain their sanity.


"It's all been designed", he said, "To make you lose your mind, And when you go back to find it, there's nothing there to find." "Everytime you look at it, your situation's worse, If you feel it grabbing out for you, send for the nurse."
The singer proclaims how T.V. has been specifically created to drive people insane, and once they stop watching, their minds are gone. He advises people that every time they watch T.V., their situation will worsen. Furthermore, if they feel controlled by it, people should seek help like calling a nurse.


The crowd began to riot and they grabbed hold of the man, There was pushing, there was shoving and everybody ran. The T.V. crew was there to film it, they jumped right over me, Later on that evening, I watched it on T.V..
The speech causes the crowd to become unruly and grab the artist. The commotion drew in a T.V. crew, and the chaos is being filmed. Later on, the singer saw the incident on T.V. while casually lounging, concluding that T.V. is an eternal cycle of madness and destruction.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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