It is a kind of sequel to the song "Just Like a Woman" (1966), with the line "I'm back in the rain" echoing the earlier "Tonight as I stand inside the rain"., October 2008
The song has been covered by Lloyd Cole, on his studio album "ETC", by Jimmy Lafave, by Lisa Miller on her 1996 album "Quiet Girl With a Credit Card", by Zita Swoon on their 2006 album "Camera Concert - A Band In A Box" and by Scottish band Travis as a b-side on their "Side" single.
You're a Big Girl Now
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It nearly swept me off my feet
And I'm back in the rain, oh
And you are on dry land
You made it there somehow
You're a big girl now
Bird on the horizon, sittin' on a fence
And I'm just like that bird, oh
Singin' just for you
I hope that you can hear
Hear me singin' through these tears
Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast
Oh, but what a shame if all we've shared can't last
I can change, I swear, oh
See what you can do
I can make it through
You can make it, too
Love is so simple, to quote a phrase
You've known it all the time, I'm learnin' it these days
Oh, I know where I can find you, oh
In somebody's room
It's a price I have to pay
You're a big girl all the way
A change in the weather is known to be extreme
But what's the sense of changing horses in midstream?
I'm going out of my mind, oh
With a pain that stops and starts
Like a corkscrew to my heart
Ever since we've been apart
"You're a Big Girl Now" is a poignant song that speaks about the end of a romantic relationship. The singer reminisces about a brief and sweet conversation with his former lover, which nearly swept him off his feet. He is now back in the rain, while she is on dry land, having moved on from the relationship. He recognizes the fact that she's grown up and must go on with her life, even if he's still stuck in the past.
The lyrics also speak to the changing nature of relationships: from the intense passion and connection shared by two people in love to the realization that it was all temporary. The image of the bird on the horizon singing at its own expense shows how the singer is still trying to connect with his former lover through his music, even though she may no longer be listening or interested.
Time, throughout the song, acts as a metaphor for how everything has moved too fast and how the singer regrets that everything he shared with her couldn't last. He suggests that he can change to win her back, but it might not be enough. The song ends on a painful note with the singer admitting that he still can't forget her and that the pain is like a corkscrew in his heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Our conversation was short and sweet
Our talk was brief and delightful
It nearly swept me off my feet
It almost made me lose my balance and fall over
And I'm back in the rain, oh
I'm out in the wet, feeling low and dejected
And you are on dry land
But you're safe and protected
You made it there somehow
You successfully navigated your journey, with or without me
You're a big girl now
You're grown up and capable of handling life's challenges
Bird on the horizon, sittin' on a fence
A feathered creature perched on a barrier in the distance
He's singin' his song for me at his own expense
He's using his own energy to make pleasing sounds for me
And I'm just like that bird, oh
I'm similar to that avian creature
Singin' just for you
But my tune is intended only for you
I hope that you can hear
I wish you can perceive my message
Hear me singin' through these tears
Know that I convey these words despite my upset emotions
Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast
The pace of time is swift and hard to keep up with
Oh, but what a shame if all we've shared can't last
It would be a regretful waste if our fond moments couldn't persist
I can change, I swear, oh
I am capable of transformation, I promise
See what you can do
Discover what possibilities are open to you
I can make it through
I can endure and survive
You can make it, too
You can accomplish your own aims
Love is so simple, to quote a phrase
Love is uncomplicated and easily defined
You've known it all the time, I'm learnin' it these days
You've always been aware of it, while I am coming to comprehend it now
Oh, I know where I can find you, oh
I am aware of a possible location where you might be
In somebody's room
Inside a dwelling space belonging to someone else
It's a price I have to pay
It's a sacrifice or burden I have to bear
You're a big girl all the way
You're a fully-grown adult who can handle anything
A change in the weather is known to be extreme
Weather alterations can be drastic and unpredictable
But what's the sense of changing horses in midstream?
Why abandon something in the middle of the process or task?
I'm going out of my mind, oh
I am losing my sanity or composure
With a pain that stops and starts
With a discomfort that comes and goes
Like a corkscrew to my heart
Like a sharp and twisting object jabbed into my chest
Ever since we've been apart
From the moment we separated until now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lyrics
Our conversation was short and sweet
It nearly swept me off-a my feet
And I'm back in the rain, oh, oh
And you are on dry land
You made it there somehow
You're a big girl now
[Verse 2]
Bird on the horizon, sitting on a fence
He's singing his song for me at his own expense
And I'm just like that bird, oh, oh
Singing just for you
I hope that you can hear
Hear me singing through these tears
[Verse 3]
Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast
Oh, but what a shame if all we've shared can't last
I can change, I swear, oh, oh
See what you can do
I can make it through
You can make it too
[Verse 4]
Love is so simple, to quote a phrase
You've known it all the time, I'm learning it these days
Oh, I know where I can find you, oh, oh
In somebody's room
It's a price I have to pay
You're a big girl all the way
[Verse 5]
A change in the weather is known to be extreme
But what's the sense of changing horses in midstream?
I'm going out of my mind, oh, oh
With a pain that stops and starts
Like a corkscrew to my heart
Ever since we've been apart
Back to Brock
Our conversation was short and sweet
It nearly swept me off my feet
And I'm back in the rain, oh
And you are on dry land
You made it there somehow
You're a big girl now
Bird on the horizon, sittin' on a fence
He's singin' his song for me at his own expense
And I'm just like that bird, oh
Singin' just for you
I hope that you can hear
Hear me singin' through these tears
Time is a jet plane, it moves too fast
Oh, but what a shame if all we've shared can't last
I can change, I swear, oh
See what you can do
I can make it through
You can make it, too
Love is so simple, to quote a phrase
You've known it all the time, I'm learnin' it these days
Oh, I know where I can find you, oh
In somebody's room
It's a price I have to pay
You're a big girl all the way
A change in the weather is known to be extreme
But what's the sense of changing horses in midstream?
I'm going out of my mind, oh
With a pain that stops and starts
Like a corkscrew to my heart
Ever since we've been apart
Maureen Smith
This is the most poignant, most personal, most heartbreaking, most forgiving collection of songs I think I've ever had the blessing and fortune to listen to. Jeez, it's a catalog of heartbreak, and yet the most intelligent, adult goodbye I've ever heard. Mr. Dylan, thank you for exposing your heartbreak for us to learn from.
Hillel Knobel
He who never had a heart can never get heartbroken
Stevo736
Maureen Smith I couldnt have put it better myself. What a great album.
CeCe
I couldn't agree more Maureen, I loved your comment. My ex broke up with me eight months ago and I am still not over him - I'm starting to think I'll never get over the heartbreak, the hurt, the regrets, the "what ifs". He is with someone new now while I'm unable to forget him and to finally let him go. "Blood on the tracks" saved me. It gives me comfort to know that I have Bob's lyrics to relate to whenever I feel the need to cry or just wallow in sadness. He managed to put the feelings and the pain that I am harbouring into words and beautifully poetic verses. Every single song on this album is mesmerizing x blessings to all
Michael Devlin
And just when you thought this song couldn't get more emotional the harmonica kicks in and rips your heart out. Unbelievable.
André Boniche
L
Um
Sly Stone
Yes indeed
merthur88
this is an absolute masterpiece; a friggin tapestry of so many different emotions. there's nobody like this guy, ever.
Tobykeithmusicinc
Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here.
Joshua Brown
😊😊😊