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.
Down On Me
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby let me follow you down
Well, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
If you just let me follow you down
Can I come home with you?
Baby can I come home with you?
Yes, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
Baby, let me follow you down
Baby let me follow you down
Well I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
If you just let me follow you down
Yes, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
If you just let me follow you down
The lyrics of Bob Dylan's "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" are simple and straightforward. The singer is pleading with someone, presumably a woman, to let him follow her wherever she may lead him. He is desperate to be with her, and he offers to do anything in the world if she just allows him to come along.
The song has a plaintive and heartfelt tone, with the singer's sincerity shining through in every line. It's a song of devotion and yearning, and it captures the feeling of being completely in love with someone and wanting to be with them at all times.
Although the lyrics are simple, they are also incredibly powerful. The simplicity of the rhyme scheme and the repetition of the phrases "Baby, let me follow you down" and "I'll do anything in this God-almighty world" give the song a hypnotic quality that draws the listener in and leaves them feeling the singer's desire and desperation.
Overall, "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" is a beautiful and moving song that captures the essence of love and devotion. Its simplicity and sincerity have made it a beloved classic for generations, and its impact on music cannot be overstated.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, let me follow you down
I want to be with you no matter where you go
Baby let me follow you down
I am willing to stay by your side wherever you may lead me
Well, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
There's nothing I wouldn't do for you
If you just let me follow you down
As long as I can be with you, I am content
Can I come home with you?
May I accompany you to your living space?
Baby can I come home with you?
I desire to be with you in your personal space
Yes, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
I am utterly devoted to you and will do whatever it takes to be with you
If you just let me come home with you
All I need is to be with you in your home
Well I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
I am completely devoted to you and will stop at nothing to be with you
If you just let me follow you down
I will go with you anywhere just to be close to you
Yes, I'll do anything in this God-almighty world
I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, without exception
If you just let me follow you down
As long as I am next to you, nothing else matters
Lyrics ยฉ Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: GARY DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@khatarootube
I was there. Hearing this makes the hair on my neck stand up. What a night, and to be a part of rock and roll history! We bought tickets to a concert (I don't even remember who) and that show got cancelled. We were given a choice, our money back or tickets to The Last Waltz with The Band. We were so fortunate. โค๐
@kevinmcgrath7183
R.I.P. Robbie. Thanks to you & The Band for all the timeless music.
@kimsterelny544
Just so and well said. Another giant gone
@stephaniearnold6856
I'm absolutely devastated rip.
@richardyoung7415
HE,S PLAYING IN THE GREAT GIG IN THE SKY KNOW WITH ALL THE GREAT ROCK AND ROLLER,S WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE. PEACE TO YOU ALL MY FRIEND'S. ๐โ๏ธ๐๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
@Msfifisquarepantz
Tom Law is gone too. Robbie and Tom were so close, Faretheewell, boys.
@tretschentrexen9440
forever young โคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโค
@JC-im6nf
The greatest musicians in the world are not the ones who are the most technically proficient or can pull off the flashiest solos, but those who can lock into whatโs going on around them and serve the song. That is why Iโm arguing that The Band has the worldโs most incredible players. Throughout this concert, they proved they can play in a variety of different genres, back up an eclectic mix of artists, and make it all sound seamless. I tip my hat to Robbie, Levon, Richard, Rick, and Garth for being the best in the biz!
@6teezkid
I so agree! However, I totally appreciate and make an exception to Steely Dan for their expectations of technical perfection. They brought together the best session musicians in the world. ๐.
@Filterite5
Well said bro. Couldnt have explained it better. "tip hat"