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
When the Deal Goes Down
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where wisdom grows up in strife
My bewildered brain, tolls in vain
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Tomorrow keeps turning around
We live and we die, we know not why
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well the moon gives light and shines by night
And I scarcely feel the glow
We learn to live and then we forgive
Or the road we're bound to go
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
That keep us so tightly bound
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
I followed the winding stream
I heard the deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I know they're not what they seem
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
You'll never see me frown
I owe my heart to you, and that's sayin' it true
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
"When The Deal Goes Down" is a reflective love song by Bob Dylan, released in 2006 on his album "Modern Times". The lyrics of the song strangely evoke an appeal for transcendence over materialistic ideals. In the first stanza, Dylan multiplies metaphors, describing the ephemeral nature of life as a bewildered brain in darkness on the pathways of life. He imagines invisible prayers that are dispersed in the air like clouds; tomorrow as an eternal cycle. He seems to say that life is an inexplicable mystery where we are born, live and then die with no apparent reason. However, he finds solace in the company of his beloved, someone he can rely on when "the deal goes down".
The second stanza portrays a vivid image of people wandering around the city, under the midnight rain, each wearing the same thorny crown of existence. Though we laugh, cry and are haunted by things we never intended to say, Dylan looks at life as a gift, an opportunity to experience the full spectrum of human emotions. He likens humans to flowers, frail and ephemeral, and values the moments he shares with his beloved as precious. The final stanza is more cryptic, with Dylan reflecting on his spiritual journey, as he picks up a rose that pokes through his clothes, following the winding stream. He eventually concludes that he owes his heart to his beloved, whom he sees as a vision from the skies.
Line by Line Meaning
In the still of the night, in the world's ancient light
During the calm of the night, illuminated by the light that has existed for eons,
Where wisdom grows up in strife
Where knowledge is cultivated through struggle,
My bewildered brain, tolls in vain
My confused mind searches for answers without success,
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Navigating the trails of existence in obscurity,
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Every silent plea is akin to a shapeless form in the atmosphere,
Tomorrow keeps turning around
The future persists in recurring cycles of time,
We live and we die, we know not why
We are born and we perish, without comprehending why,
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
But I will be by your side when the situation becomes dire,
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
We consume, we experience emotions and thoughts,
Far down the street we stray
We wander off into the distant avenues,
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
I express joy and sorrow, and I'm troubled by,
Things I never meant nor wished to say
Thoughts and words unintentionally spilled out,
The midnight rain follows the train
The rain falling at midnight trails the train,
We all wear the same thorny crown
We all carry emotional burdens,
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
Our souls connected, our shadows projected,
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
And I will be next to you when facing a critical moment,
Well the moon gives light and shines by night
The moon illuminates the night with its radiance,
And I scarcely feel the glow
An unnoticeable impact created by the moon's light,
We learn to live and then we forgive
We acquire how to exist, and then we begin to pardon,
Or the road we're bound to go
The path nurtured to move ahead,
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
More delicate than the flowers, the time we have is valuable,
That keep us so tightly bound
That keeps us encapsulated,
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
You appear before me like a miracle from above,
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
And I will endure next to you when faced with trouble,
Well I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
When I picked up a rose, its thorns pierced my garments,
I followed the winding stream
I pursued the course of the twisting brook,
I heard the deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I heard the blaring sound, I experienced fleeting moments of happiness,
I know they're not what they seem
I understand they aren't what they present to be,
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
In this world of agony and frustration,
You'll never see me frown
You'll never glimpse me unhappy,
I owe my heart to you, and that's sayin' it true
I pledge my love for you, and it's an honest pledge,
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
And I will be by your side during adversity,
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neil Bhatt
In the still of the night, in the world's ancient light
Where wisdom grows up in strife
My bewildered brain, tolls in vain
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Tomorrow keeps turning around
We live and we die, we know not why
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well the moon gives light and shines by night
And I scarcely feel the glow
We learn to live and then we forgive
Or the road we're bound to go
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
That keep us so tightly bound
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
I followed the winding stream
I heard the deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I know they're not what they seem
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
You'll never see me frown
I owe my heart to you, and that's sayin' it true
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down.
Vincenzo Str
In the still of the night, in the world's ancient light
Where wisdom grows up in strife
My bewildered brain, tolls in vain
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Tomorrow keeps turning around
We live and we die, we know not why
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well the moon gives light and shines by night
And I scarcely feel the glow
We learn to live and then we forgive
Or the road we're bound to go
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
That keep us so tightly bound
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
I followed the winding stream
I heard the deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I know they're not what they seem
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
You'll never see me frown
I owe my heart to you, and that's sayin' it true
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Rajib Ashraf
In the still of the night, in the world's ancient light
Where wisdom grows up in strife
My bewildering brain, toils in vain
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Tomorrow keeps turning around
We live and we die, we know not why
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
The moon gives light and shines by night
I scarcely feel the glow
We learn to live and then we forgive
O'er the road we're bound to go
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
That keep us so tightly bound
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
I followed the winding stream
I heard a deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I know they're not what they seem
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
You'll never see me frown
I owe my heart to you, and that's sayin' it true
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
MichaelC DuPree
More lyrics:
In the still of the night, in the world's ancient light
Where wisdom grows up in strife
My bewildering brain, toils in vain
Through the darkness on the pathways of life
Each invisible prayer is like a cloud in the air
Tomorrow keeps turning around
We live and we die, we know not why
But I'll be with you when the deal goes down
We eat and we drink, we feel and we think
Far down the street we stray
I laugh and I cry and I'm haunted by
Things I never meant nor wished to say
The midnight rain follows the train
We all wear the same thorny crown
Soul to soul, our shadows roll
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well, the moon gives light and it shines by night
When I scarcely feel the glow
We learn to live and then we forgive
Over the road we're bound to go
More frailer than the flowers, these precious hours
That keep us so tightly bound
You come to my eyes like a vision from the skies
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
Well, I picked up a rose and it poked through my clothes
I followed the winding stream
I heard the deafening noise, I felt transient joys
I know they're not what they seem
In this earthly domain, full of disappointment and pain
You'll never see me frown
I owe my heart to you, and that's saying it's true
And I'll be with you when the deal goes down
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bobdylan/whenthedealgoesdown.html
Keith Philo
It's just too beautiful for words.
Where would we be without Mr Dylan and his love songs?
Michael Miller
up a "crick" without a paddle.
Fraser Edk
Between a rock and a hard place. Lining up at the S-hit Creek Paddle Shop.
JF TruthSeeker
this song is pure music of the soul. The intimacy and love for someone through the passage of time . Dylan express so genuinely here the fact that the most important moments in life are the ones we perceive the most « futile » when we live them and when we remember them later , we would give anything to live them again and again . These moments are the most precious.. There will never be someone like Bob Dylan ,he is unique
Uncle Dan's Vintage Vinyl!
Damn. Such a great song. When I was a young man, the young Dylan spoke to me. And now, as I grow old, the older Dylan speaks to me again.
Claudia
+Daniel Gunter He wrote it, he filmed it.
Paul Black
me thinks the same feel same me 4 older brothers played lay ladie lay to get me to sleep.Was phofet,gospel according to Dylan! He is main man.blacky break-in it down N motown
DontLookBack
+Daniel Gunter Still...not again
Uncle Dan's Vintage Vinyl!
+Barry Klonsky There was a period when I didn't listen to much Dylan. Now I listen more to him than all the rest put together.
Paul Black
The young Dylan spoke to me too.Now that I'm old the older D like Dylan speaks to me. We are probely alot the same.