if not for you
Bob Dylan Lyrics
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Babe, I couldn't find the door
Couldn't even see the floor
I'd be sad and blue
If not for you
If not for you
Babe, I'd lay awake all night
To shine in through
But it would not be new
If not for you
If not for you
My sky would fall
Rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
I'd be lost if not for you
And you know it's true
If not for you
My sky would fall
Rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
Oh! What would I do
If not for you
If not for you
Winter would have no spring
Couldn't hear the robin sing
I just wouldn't have a clue
Anyway it wouldn't ring true
If not for you
The lyrics to Bob Dylan's song If Not for You convey a deep sense of gratitude and dependency on someone else. The first verse sets the tone with "If not for you, babe, I couldn't find the door. Couldn't even see the floor. I'd be sad and blue if not for you." The singer is stating that they wouldn't be able to function in life if not for the person they are singing to. The second verse continues the sentiment with "If not for you, babe, I'd lay awake all night, wait for the mornin' light to shine in through, but it would not be new if not for you." The singer is expressing that life would be mundane and monotonous without the person they are singing to.
The third verse takes a slightly different approach with "If not for you, my sky would fall, rain would gather too." The singer is acknowledging that without this person's love and support, their life would be chaotic and unstable. The following lines "Without your love, I'd be nowhere at all. I'd be lost if not for you, and you know it's true" conveys how lost and alone the singer would be without this person. The final verse brings the sentiment full circle with "If not for you, winter would have no spring. Couldn't hear the robin sing. I just wouldn't have a clue. Anyway, it wouldn't ring true if not for you." The singer is acknowledging that life would be meaningless and dull without the person they are singing to.
Overall, the lyrics to If Not for You convey a deep sense of gratitude and dependency on someone else. Dylan is acknowledging the importance of human connection and the impact that having someone to rely on can have on one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
If not for you
Without you
Babe, I couldn't find the door
I couldn't find a way out of my sadness
Couldn't even see the floor
I was so lost in my despair
I'd be sad and blue
I would have been miserable
Babe, I'd lay awake all night
I would have been unable to sleep
Wait for the mornin' light
I would wait for the break of day
To shine in through
For a glimmer of hope to come
But it would not be new
But it would not have been refreshing
My sky would fall
My world would crumble
Rain would gather too
My tears would flow
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
I would have felt worthless and lost
I'd be lost if not for you
I would have been disoriented and confused
And you know it's true
And you know that it's sincere
Oh! What would I do
Oh! What would have become of me
Winter would have no spring
I wouldn't have the joy of new beginnings
Couldn't hear the robin sing
I would have missed out on the beauty of nature
I just wouldn't have a clue
I would have been clueless and naive
Anyway it wouldn't ring true
It wouldn't have been genuine
If not for you
Without you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fevertorium
This entire album has always been one of my favorites by Dylan. It sounds so intimate. Still digging it at 67!
Mike Galvin
There are no bad Dylan albums and of course the early ones (Freewheeling, Blonde on Blonde etc) are immortal but as someone who also grew up with his work this is one I like to come back to very often.
Ickys Trash Can .... anothers mans treasure
It's a good one
..guess all of Dylans stuff is
...the greatest songwriter ...period
Diane Mahan
Bob Dylan is always the best; he saved my inner child. God bless you Bobbie Dylan!
Greg Boardman Band
If not for you...
Javier Bermúdez Méndez
Happy 81th birthday Bob Dylan!!!
The best lyricist that ever existed!
Michael Goins
Bob said the best is Smokey Robinson. Hard to disagree with Mr. Zimmerman.
Javier Bermúdez Méndez
Easy to disagree if you have enough personality and an opinion of your own.
Michael Goins
@Javier Bermúdez Méndez Bob Dylan was born with the name of Robert Zimmerman. They are the same person. I was making a joke, my apologies.
I love Bob Dylan; he tore away the pretenses of society and exposed the falsehoods of those in power. He also wrote beautiful love songs, wistful and elegant in their simplicity. God writes through Bob Dylan and Bob reciprocates by having a strong faith in God. Bob has spoken for those without a voice, a noble endeavor that has garnered him respect and an undying loyalty, such as your own.
Javier Bermúdez Méndez
@Michael Goins obviously I know that the real name of Bob Dylan is Robert Allen Zimmerman..... Don't worry, it doesn't matter.
Have a nice day