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
The Night We Called It A Day
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But a cloud drifted over it's face
You kissed me and went on your way
The night we called it a day
I heard the song of the spheres
Like a minor lament in my ears
I hadn't the heart left to pray
Soft through the dark
The hoot of an owl in the sky
Sad though his song
No bluer was he than I
The moon went down stars were gone
But the sun didn't rise with the dawn
There wasn't a thing left to say
The night we called it a day
Soft through the dark
The hoot of an owl in the sky
Sad though his song
No bluer was he than I
The moon went down stars were gone
But the sun didn't rise with the dawn
There wasn't a thing left to say
The night we called it a day
Bob Dylan's song The Night We Called It a Day is a poignant reflection on love's end, and the emotions that follow. The opening lines describe a moment where the moon suddenly disappears behind a cloud, symbolizing the end of a relationship at its peak. The singer has just been kissed, but the other person leaves, implying a sudden break-up. The next verse reflects the feelings of an individual in grief, where the singer explains how he heard the song of the spheres - this musical reference signifies the beautiful and interconnectedness of the universe - as if in lament, expressing a resonance with the idea that the universe is mourning the end of the relationship. The following lines suggest that the singer attempted to find comfort in prayer but lacked the heart to do so, indicating the depth of emotional pain.
The refrain "Soft through the dark, the hoot of an owl in the sky, sad though his song. No bluer than he was I" amplifies the mood of the song, which conveys a deep sense of sorrow and desolation. The owl's song is melancholic, which the singer empathises with, equating to the depth of his own feeling. They both share in creating an atmosphere of regret and grief. In the last verse, the day dawns, but the singer acknowledges there is nothing left to say; the end of the relationship is a fait accompli. The imagery of the sun not rising with the dawn underscores the sense of loss, as though the light and life are in a state of permanent darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a moon out in space
The night started with hope and promise.
But a cloud drifted over it's face
An obstacle appeared, which dampened the mood and caused difficulties.
You kissed me and went on your way
Despite this, there was still a goodbye or a farewell.
The night we called it a day
This moment is remembered as a time when something ended, and closure was reached.
I heard the song of the spheres
The universe is a vast and complex entity that plays out in wondrous ways.
Like a minor lament in my ears
Sometimes, we perceive the world in a way that sounds sad or melancholic.
I hadn't the heart left to pray
In moments of despair or loss, it can be difficult to find solace and healing.
Soft through the dark
The night is a quiet and contemplative time for reflection.
The hoot of an owl in the sky
Nature is present all around us, offering comfort and a sense of balance.
Sad though his song
Even though the song may sound mournful, it does not need to be viewed as depressing.
No bluer than he was I
The sadness and melancholy we perceive in our surroundings is often a reflection of our own emotional state.
The moon went down, stars were gone
Throughout the night, the world continued to change and evolve, even as we faced challenges.
But the sun didn't rise with the dawn
Despite the passage of time, we may still face feelings of darkness or despair.
There wasn't a thing left to say
At certain points in our lives, we must come to terms with the fact that things may not go as planned and that words cannot always change the outcome.
The night we called it a day
Despite the challenges faced, this moment marks a turning point and an opportunity for growth.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Matt Dennis, Tom Adair
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PatrickJDylan
This video is so damn awesome. Bob Dylan is truly the greatest artist of all time.
@DeadbeatDecember
This is amazing! Dylan still producing mind blowing music long into his 70's
@boraxsopanic2670
@M In What Bob Dylan added is Bob Dylan....and don't you forget that. You can't say anyone else did or can do that. :)
@marakaretsos5204
🎵🎼⭐️
@reubenroper6231
The man is unique. He breaks the mould time after time. Long may he live and stay forever young. Thanks Bob.
@seanjonesy180
I adored these albums. (triplicate on vinyl is a thing of beauty). And they're so atmospheric. Great to listen to with a whisky late at night! They led to him rediscovering his mojo too.
@vittwoman
Sheer brilliance.He just keeps getting better and better. The best artist of my lifetime.
@jamestierney2531
You’re right, MVD. Like a fine wine or brandy, he’s gotten even better with age. Cheers and good wishes to you.
@SuperUpgrades
Wow. Video emphasizes the song in a way other music videos don't. It's less obvious and yet more powerful at the same time somehow. Brilliant version. The sound is really good, crystal clear. He's always so cool. I like the way he wanders. Very naturally. Brilliant man. Also good humour. I laughed out loud when he appeared with the gun, and I like the fact he wins. He will always be a hero.
@stevenleviere3858
Beautiful, definitely one of the most cinematic videos ever made. The contents within are both beautifully developed and wonderfully disturbing. We can thank Dylan for being unmatched in his brilliance for videos like this to continue being made.