Don't Think Twice It's Alright
Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton Lyrics
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If'n you don't know by now
An' it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It'll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm a-travelin' on
But don't think twice, it's all right
And it ain't no use in a-turnin' on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
And it ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin' anyway
But don't think twice, it's all right
So it ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
Like you never done before
And it ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
I can't hear you anymore
I'm a-thinkin' and a-wonderin', walkin' way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child, I am told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right
So long, honey babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye is too good a word, babe
So I just say, "fare thee well"
I ain't a-sayin' you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right
The lyrics to Bob Dylan's song Don't Think Twice, It's All Right speaks to moving on from a relationship or a situation that is not working out. The opening lines suggest that there is no use sitting and wondering why someone is leaving if they do not already know. Their leaving is inevitable, and there is nothing the other person can do to keep them from going. The line "It'll never do somehow" implies that trying to figure out why the relationship failed is pointless, and it is better to accept that it is over and move on.
The second verse speaks to the singer's decision to leave, even though they wish their partner would give them a reason to stay. The line "I'm on the dark side of the road" suggests that they are in a dark or uncertain place in their life, and they must move forward, even though it is difficult. The third verse indicates that the singer has moved on and cannot hear their partner calling them back. They reminisce about a past love but ultimately say goodbye, suggesting that they have accepted the relationship's end and are ready to move forward without regret.
Overall, the message of the song is one of acceptance and moving on from a relationship that is not working out. Dylan's lyrics are powerful and evocative, capturing the emotions of those who have gone through similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If'n you don't know by now
An' it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It'll never do somehow
There's no point in trying to figure out why things went wrong, especially if you already know the answer or you never will
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm a-travelin' on
But don't think twice, it's all right
I'm leaving you and you might notice I'm not around when the rooster crows, but don't think twice about it, it's not your fault
And it ain't no use in a-turnin' on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
And it ain't no use in turnin' on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin' anyway
But don't think twice, it's all right
Don't bother turning on your light; you don't know me and I'm already walking away in the dark. Even though it never seemed like we talked much, part of me wishes you would say something to convince me to stay, but don't worry if you don't. Everything is okay
So it ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
Like you never done before
And it ain't no use in callin' out my name, gal
I can't hear you anymore
I'm a-thinkin' and a-wonderin', walkin' way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child, I am told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right
I'm too far gone to hear you call my name, even though you might have said it a million times before. I'm just reflecting on how I once loved someone who seemed to take everything from me, but I still don't blame them
So long, honey babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye is too good a word, babe
So I just say, "fare thee well"
I ain't a-sayin' you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right
I'm saying farewell instead of goodbye because it doesn't feel final. I don't think you were intentionally mean to me, but you didn't make the most of the time we had together. It's okay though, don't worry about it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@insuranceinfo123
I don't care what Rolling Stone says, in my eyes he'll always be #1
@originalbarryman
Agreed!! So blistering and clean
@richardbarrick1492
Rolling Stone is but a shell of their former self-- those Top 💯 lists are soooo lame-- Ritchie Blackmore not on the list?? Poor taste and bogus IMO! Probably left off Roy Buchanan, Steve Howe, SRV, FOR GOSH sakes-- etc, etc.
@Spartanm333
RS is full of shit - for soul, playing, mastery of the instrument, multiple genres, influence, longevity.... I could go on, no one touches Clapton - period. I mean how many people soloed guitar on a Beatles track - and wrote with George Harrison regularly - Badge just one example. And speaking of Cream, they effectively invented heavy rock / metal. And R&B / Soul - in the late 60's whilst on tour in America with Cream, producer Ahmet Ertegun dismissed 5 top session guitarists for Aretha Franklin including Bobby Womack who was hot at the time on the back of Sam Cooke and Otis Reading. He called in Eric Clapton from his hotel to complete the session.... cold. Eric has been an incredible influence on rock, blues and R&B music or over 50 years . Anyone who cannot see this needs to read a book and educate themselves beyond Youtube and Alexa.
@drothberg3
Rolling Stone’s list is total BS. I don’t know if Clapton is #1, but that list is worse than worthless.
@prathameshbhambure
Same!
@davidkeightly9383
In my opinion, this is the single greatest Rock and Roll performance ever.
@HeyImTyyy
In 1999 my dad I and were watching this concert on VHS. I was in 3rd grade and after seeing Clapton play I begged my parents to get me a guitar. I wanted one just like Clapton. After a month of begging, my parents got me a $179 Fender Squire (black and white of course like Claptons) 23 years later I'm still playing and tomorrow (6-2-23) I am receiving Eric Claptons signature Blackie guitar. RIP dad and thank you for introducing me to music, specifically this tribute concert.
@dalegribble7935
Beautiful ❤
@Jomor44
This is unquestionably the greatest version of this song.
Hands down the best.