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
Tryin' to Get to Heaven
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a rumbling in the skies
I've been wading through the high muddy water
With the heat rising in my eyes
Every day your memory grows dimmer
It doesn't haunt me like it did before
I've been walking through the middle of nowhere
Trying to get to heaven before they close the door
When I was in Missouri
They would not let me be
I had to leave there in a hurry
I only saw what they let me see
You broke a heart that loved you
Now you can seal up the book and not write anymore
I've been walking that lonesome valley
Trying to get to heaven before they close the door
People on the platforms
Waiting for the trains
I can hear their hearts a-beatin'
Like pendulums swinging on chains
When you think that you lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I'm just going down the road feeling bad
Trying to get to heaven before they close the door
I'm going down the river
Down to New Orleans
They tell me everything is gonna be all right
But I don't know what "all right" even means
I was riding in a buggy with Miss Mary-Jane
Miss Mary-Jane got a house in Baltimore
I been all around the world, boys
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Gonna sleep down in the parlor
And relive my dreams
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
No midnight ramblers, like they did before
I been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
In "Tryin’ to Get to Heaven," Bob Dylan seems to be talking about his struggle to find peace or clarity in his life. The song describes a journey, both physical and metaphorical, as Dylan tries to make his way towards a better place. He speaks at length about the difficulties he's faced and the obstacles that stand in his path, but he also holds out hope that he'll be able to find what he's looking for.
The first verse of the song sets the stage for the rest of the lyrics, with Dylan describing the hot air and rumbling thunder that seem to be following him everywhere he goes. He's wading through high, muddy water, which can be seen as a metaphor for the difficulties he's facing in life. Despite it all, he's determined to keep moving forward, to keep trying to find a way to get to heaven before it's too late.
The second verse of the song seems to pick up where the first left off, with Dylan talking about his time spent in Missouri and the difficulty he faced there. He only saw what they let him see, which could be taken as a commentary on the way people sometimes try to control or limit our perceptions of the world. Despite the heartbreak he's experienced, Dylan is still trying to find his way to heaven before it's too late.
As with many of Bob Dylan's songs, there are a lot of layers to "Tryin’ to Get to Heaven," and the lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways. Ultimately, though, it seems to be a song about the human struggle to find peace and meaning in life.
Line by Line Meaning
The air is getting hotter
The environment is becoming tense and uncomfortable
There's a rumbling in the skies
There's a foreboding sense of something coming
I've been wading through the high muddy water
I've been facing difficult and uncertain obstacles
With the heat rising in my eyes
Feeling emotional strain and pressure
Every day your memory grows dimmer
I'm starting to forget you and it doesn't hurt as much anymore
It doesn't haunt me like it did before
I'm moving on from the pain of heartbreak and the hold you had on me
I've been walking through the middle of nowhere
I'm feeling lost and aimless
Trying to get to heaven before they close the door
I'm desperately trying to find peace and comfort before it's too late
When I was in Missouri
At a previous time in my life
They would not let me be
I was restricted and unable to fully express myself
I had to leave there in a hurry
I left abruptly due to the oppressive environment
I only saw what they let me see
I was given limited information and couldn't fully understand the situation
You broke a heart that loved you
You hurt someone who deeply cared for you
Now you can seal up the book and not write anymore
It's over and there's nothing left to be said or done
I've been walking that lonesome valley
I've been on a difficult and lonely journey
People on the platforms
Observations of others' experiences
Waiting for the trains
Waiting for things to happen or progress
I can hear their hearts a-beatin'
I can feel their anxiety and anticipation
Like pendulums swinging on chains
Repeating pattern of emotions
When you think that you lost everything
Hitting rock bottom
You find out you can always lose a little more
Things can always get worse
I'm just going down the road feeling bad
I'm traveling with a heavy heart
Trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Desperately seeking salvation or peace before it's too late
I'm going down the river
Continuing my journey through life
Down to New Orleans
To a place of new possibilities
They tell me everything is gonna be all right
There's a sense of hope and positivity
But I don't know what "all right" even means
Uncertainty about what the future holds
I was riding in a buggy with Miss Mary-Jane
Recalling a past memory
Miss Mary-Jane got a house in Baltimore
Describing a specific detail about the memory
I been all around the world, boys
I've experienced a lot in life
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Despite my experiences, I'm still trying to find peace and solace
Gonna sleep down in the parlor
Moving on from a difficult situation
And relive my dreams
Reflecting on past hopes and aspirations
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
I'm uncertain about the future
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Whether life is truly fulfilling or not
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
Some opportunities shouldn't be taken
No midnight ramblers, like they did before
People shouldn't be reckless and make poor decisions as they did before
I been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
I've experienced life's highs and lows
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Despite everything, I'm still seeking peace and comfort
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
michele abbas
🕊💙🕊Avant qu’il ne ferme la porte ….
C’est très beau…🥰🕊
😇😉
Je détient le record
Des denrées dehors
La perte ne vaut pas la mort
Mais elle travaille au corps
En un temps records
Elle se détériore
Je suis un arbre sans vie
Dont l’oubli coule dans sa sève
Je cache l’ennui
Je sors avec mon manteau de pluie ….
Tom Swift
The air is getting hotter
There's a rumbling in the skies
I've been wading through the high muddy water
With the heat rising in my eyes
Everyday your memory grows dimmer
It doesn't haunt me like it did before
I've been walking through the middle of nowhere
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
When I was in Missouri
They would not let me be
I had to leave there in a hurry
I only saw what they let me see
You broke a heart that loved you
Now you can seal up the book and not write anymore
I've been walking that lonesome valley
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
People on the platforms
Waiting for the trains
I can hear their hearts a-beatin'
Like pendulums swinging on chains
When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I'm just going down the road feeling bad
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
I'm going down the river
Down to New Orleans
They tell me everything is gonna be all right
But I don't know what all right even means
I was riding in a buggy with Miss Mary Jane
Miss Mary Jane got a house in Baltimore
I've been all around the world, boys
Now I'm trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
Gonna sleep down in the parlor
And relive my dreams
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
No midnight ramblers like they did before
I've been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
Now I'm trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
The air is getting hotter
There's a rumbling in the skies
I've been wading through the high muddy water
With the heat rising in my eyes
Everyday your memory grows dimmer
It doesn't haunt me like it did before
I've been walking through the middle of nowhere
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
When I was in Missouri
They would not let me be
I had to leave there in a hurry
I only saw what they let me see
You broke a heart that loved you
Now you can seal up the book and not write anymore
I've been walking that lonesome valley
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
People on the platforms
Waiting for the trains
I can hear their hearts a-beatin'
Like pendulums swinging on chains
When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I'm just going down the road feeling bad
Trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
I'm going down the river
Down to New Orleans
They tell me everything is gonna be all right
But I don't know what all right even means
I was riding in a buggy with Miss Mary Jane
Miss Mary Jane got a house in Baltimore
I've been all around the world, boys
Now I'm trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
Gonna sleep down in the parlor
And relive my dreams
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
No midnight ramblers like they did before
I've been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
Now I'm trying to get to Heaven before they close the door
Juan Camacho
The air is getting hotter
There's a rumbling in the skies
I've been wading through the high muddy water
With the heat rising in my eyes
Every day your memory grows dimmer
It doesn't haunt me like it did before
I've been walking through the middle of nowhere
Tryin', tryin' to get to heaven before they close, close the door
When I was in Missouri
They would not let me be
I had to leave there in a hurry
I only saw what they let me see
You broke a heart that loved you
Now you can seal up the book, you don't have to write anymore
I've been walking that lonesome valley
Tryin', tryin' to get to heaven before they close, close the door
People on the platforms
Waiting for the trains
I can hear their hearts beatin'
Like pendulums swinging on chains
When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more
I'm just going down the road feeling bad
Tryin', tryin' to get to heaven before they close, close the door
🎵🎶🎵🎶
I'm going down the river
Down to New Orleans
They tell me everything is gonna be all right
But I don't know what "all right" even means
I was riding in a buggy with Miss Mary-Jane
Miss Mary-Jane got a house in Baltimore
I been all around the world, boys
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Gonna sleep down in the parlour
And relive my dreams
I'll close my eyes and I wonder
If everything is as hollow as it seems
Some trains don't pull no gamblers
No midnight ramblers, like they did before
I been to Sugar Town, I shook the sugar down
Now I'm trying to get to heaven before they close the door
Hendrik B.
I've been waiting for years for this song to appear on YouTube, and then he drops it with hundreds of other songs on my birthday. Just wow, thanks Bob! :D
yama penny
Yeah Hendrik...
Thats how Bob Dylan works...
😻👍🤩
Crystal Belle 2
@Hendrik B. Yesterday was my birthday so here am I, looking to see if I feel anything I suppose LoL. Obviously this song wasn’t posted here yesterday as nothing was. Just tuned in with the day after blues. Should be ecstatic as I’ve survived another decade, after already surviving half a century! THIS is the first time that occurred to me. Here’s to us both checking in here again next year!🤞☮️
Hendrik B.
@Crystal Belle 2 Haha yes, but we should make sure to come back to this great track a couple more times before that! Happy belated birthday! ;-)
John J
One of the most Dylan songs ever. Lyrics, the music and his voice. Perfect.
Zothyrian V
Yes!! During lockdown, i can imagine Bob sitting up late at night uploading songs to you tube out of boredom.
Simon G. Hill
I love the vibe of this song.... So easy to listen to but still hard to define
Dw Ocelot
"When you think that you've lost everything
You find out you can always lose a little more"
Jason dylan Sargent
Who can right a line like that no one but Dylan 🎸🏴👍😄
José manuel Fernandez
Esas son las mejores frases de la canción,las más duras y cuando pone más fuerza