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
You Belong To Me
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She don't look back
She's got everything she needs, she's an artist
She don't look back
She can take the dark out of the nighttime
And paint the daytime black
You will start out standing
You will start out standing
Proud to steal her anything she sees
But you will wind up peeking through her keyhole
Down upon your knees
She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall
She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall
She's nobody's child, the law can't touch her at all
She wears an Egyptian ring, it sparkles before she speaks
She wears an Egyptian ring, it sparkles before she speaks
She's a hypnotist collector, you are a walking antique
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
For Halloween, buy her a trumpet
And for Christmas, get her a drum
Bob Dylan's song "You Belong to Me" is full of imagery and metaphors that require a keen understanding of music and literature. The song speaks about a woman who is an artist and seems to be in a league of her own. Dylan sings, "She's got everything she needs, she's an artist, she don't look back." This line is a reminder that some people are born to create and express themselves through their art. The woman doesn't need anyone's approval or validation, as she is self-sufficient and confident in who she is.
Dylan uses the metaphor of light and darkness to describe the woman's creative abilities. He sings, "She can take the dark out of the nighttime and paint the daytime black." This line implies that she has a unique ability to shape the world as she sees fit. She can transform the night into day and manipulate reality to suit her artistic vision.
The third verse describes how the woman's power can be intoxicating to those around her. Dylan sings, "But you will wind up peeking through her keyhole, down upon your knees." This line implies that she can be alluring, and people will be willing to do anything for her attention. She is like a magnet, and anyone in her orbit is drawn to her enigmatic power.
Overall, "You Belong to Me" is a song that celebrates the beauty and mystery of art and creativity. It reminds us that some people are born with a unique talent that must be expressed, and their abilities can inspire and captivate others around them.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got everything she needs, she's an artist
The woman in question is content with her life because she is fulfilled as an artist.
She don't look back
The woman does not dwell on her past mistakes or regrets.
She can take the dark out of the nighttime
And paint the daytime black
The woman has an ability to transform even the darkest moments into something beautiful.
You will start out standing
Proud to steal her anything she sees
In the beginning of your relationship, you will do anything to impress her.
But you will wind up peeking through her keyhole
Down upon your knees
Over time, you will become so obsessed with her that you will become a voyeur looking for any glimpse of her, and be metaphorically below her.
She never stumbles, she's got no place to fall
She's nobody's child, the law can't touch her at all
The woman is independent and self-reliant, and is not held accountable to anyone but herself.
She wears an Egyptian ring, it sparkles before she speaks
She's a hypnotist collector, you are a walking antique
The woman has a certain allure and charm that is irresistible and hypnotic to others, while the listener is old-fashioned and outdated.
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
The woman is to be respected and admired, showing reverence and gratitude towards her.
For Halloween, buy her a trumpet
And for Christmas, get her a drum
The woman is passionate about music, so gifts relating to music will make her happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I am who I am
See the pyramids along the Nile
Watch the sunrise from a tropic isle
Just remember darling all the while -
You belong to me
See the marketplace in old Algiers
Send me photographs and souvenirs
Just remember when a dream appears -
You belong to me
And I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember till you're home again -
You belong to me
Oh I'll be so alone without you
Maybe you'll be lonesome too
Fly the ocean in a silver plane
See the jungle when it's wet with rain
Just remember till you're home again -
You belong to me
Melson Macapagal
Bob Dylan has such a tender style of singing that really captures your soul. If you listen to him for the first time, he may sound like he’s on helium but as he sings through and through you get submerged by the content of what's his singing and then upon repeating you get hooked and another you just get addicted to him. I've listened to a number of version of this song including Jo Stafford, Patsy, and Dean Martin-- But I always get back to Bob.
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It's amazing that Bob Dylan and his rough, raspy voice can completely outshine one of the greatest crooners of all time (Dean Martin) in their versions of this song. Bob's voice has so much emotion in it.
The Foul Quince
I think he may be using Patsy Cline's version as his roadmap.
T M
@The Foul Quince jo staffords
Pink*Vodka
He definitely did not “outshine” anyone. He just made a wonderful cover. At least IMO. We’re all entitled to one.
charlie everton
Never heard this before, love this so much. Love this era of Dylan
David Waters
and the age of aquarius. lol
Rudy Wilson
this song alone is a Nobel Prize, let alone the hundreds of amazing songs that have helped and given us joy for 50 years!~~~~~
patricia donald-mcveigh
Cindy Walker wrote it.
Sonial
It is a cover,Rudy. However, Desolation Row is greater than this.