The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Shortly afterwards, Bob Dylan came to Toronto and recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour. The Band also worked with Dylan on the initial Blonde on Blonde sessions which, bar two tracks, were ultimately abandoned in favour of versions recorded with Nashville session musicians.
After a motorcycle accident in mid-1966, Dylan retreated from the public eye to his country house near Woodstock, New York. He was joined by the Band for some informal jam sessions starting in the autumn of 1967, nearly all of which were recorded. After being heavily bootleged, Columbia Records finally released The Basement Tapes in 1975, a selection of the better tracks recorded during the sessions along with new recordings by The Band.
Bob Dylan and The Band were reunited in 1974, recording Planet Waves for Asylum Records, Dylan's first album recorded for a record label other than Columbia. Although the album was released under Dylan's name alone, The Band joined Dylan for his first tour in eight years in support of Planet Waves, with some of the material recorded and released on the 1975 concert record Before the Flood.
Columbia Records finally released The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete in November 2014, featuring every surving recording from the original sessions in Woodstock.
Baby Ain't That Fine
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
But you don't even know my name
Listen to me, baby
What I say is true
I'd swim to the bank
And get back home to you
[Chorus]
They may kill me, darlin'
Honey, just like they do
Well, my body might die
But my spirit's gonna rise
And crawl back home to you
[Chorus]
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
But you don't even know my name
Don't even know my name
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
But you don't even know my name
Said, you don't even know my name
Said, you don't even know my name
No, you don't even know my name
No, you don't even know my name
No, you don't even know my name
The lyrics of "Baby Ain't That Fine" by Bob Dylan and The Band speak of unrequited love. The singer is deeply in love with someone who doesn't even know their name, but despite this, the singer is willing to do anything to be with this person, even if it means risking their life.
The lines, "Listen to me, baby, what I say is true / They could drop me in the ocean, I'd swim to the bank / And get back home to you" show the depth of the singer's commitment to the person they love. No matter the obstacles, the singer is willing to overcome them to be with their love.
The chorus of the song, "Ain't that lovin' you, baby? But you don't even know my name" highlights the irony of the situation. The singer's love is pure and strong, but it is unacknowledged by the person they love. The repeating line, "Ain't that lovin' you, baby?" further emphasizes this point.
In conclusion, "Baby Ain't That Fine" by Bob Dylan and The Band is a song about unrequited love and the depth of commitment that comes with it. The singer's love is pure and strong, but unfortunately, it is unacknowledged by the person they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Isn't that enough to show my love for you?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Aren't my actions showing my love for you?
Ain't that lovin' you, baby?
Is there anything more I can do to prove my love?
But you don't even know my name
You don't see all the things I do for you
Listen to me, baby
Pay attention to what I'm saying
What I say is true
I'm speaking honestly and sincerely
They could drop me in the ocean
No matter what happens to me
I'd swim to the bank
I'd find a way to come back to you
And get back home to you
And return to the one I love
They may kill me, darlin'
Even if something bad happens to me
Honey, just like they do
Like it can happen to anyone
Well, my body might die
I may not physically survive
But my spirit's gonna rise
But my love for you will endure
And crawl back home to you
And find its way back to you
But you don't even know my name
You don't see all the things I do for you
Said, you don't even know my name
I feel ignored and unappreciated
No, you don't even know my name
You don't understand or acknowledge my love
No, you don't even know my name
You are unaware of my devotion to you
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JIMMY REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
linda rogers
"I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes...you'd know what a drag it is to see you." Greatest line ever written.
pinanti
Indeed.
It's a line you 'll never forget..
Dylan is a genius.
Chris Campbell
It's the kicker to the song. Always stuck inside my head.
Paul Licciardo
His xristian rebirth since and born in time is more optimistic
Carl Bitney
Linda,
yep indeed,
& that line is not esoteric or
crooked, just hits that nail solid,
we all know clear & true what it means
carnia mellato
@Chris Campbell he wrote: I merely remember you, I go on without you, every one of us may detached of persons and situations.
Jeff Rogut
It’s now 2022 and after listening to Bob Dylan for over half a century this is still one of my favourites. Says it all to those who use and then discard you when you serve no purpose for them. Happy new year to all of you who truly appreciate the genius of Dylan …….
Javier Mendoza
Ah, well spoken. We hold some truths, to be self evident. " Your Honor, the defense rests ".
Alan Sparx
Wish you were a woman living in Australia... I'd love to meet you
Alan Sparx
OH! Wait? Insensitive content? If so, you have my apologies! One must be so tuned into the sensitivities of each person. That is if you are mesmerized by woke shite.