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.
Gonna Get You Now
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
I feel like I'm stuck
In the same old story
Hear everybody say how they're "so sorry"
But it's not enough
It's never enough
But you don't listen
Guess I gotta be my own hero
How do you fall asleep?
Do you wanna know what I dream about?
Tell me are you gonna break me?
Devastate me?
Let me go so you can chase me?
Forget the part
Where it shouldn't be this hard?
Keep me waiting, waiting?
Are you gonna listen now or block me out?
Take control to let me down?
Minimize then change your mind again?
Oh my god
This devil is temperamental
I didn't mean to cause any trouble
But if there was no incident
And it was mutual
Then why
Am I still messed up about it?
Why do I feel like a target?
Why am I wondering how far they're gonna let 'em take it?
So do you wanna know what I dream about?
Tell me are you gonna break me?
Devastate me?
Let me go so you can chase me?
Forget the part
Where it shouldn't be this hard?
Keep me waiting, waiting?
Are you gonna listen now or block me out?
Take control to let me down?
Minimize then change your mind again?
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Tell me are you gonna listen now?
Now?
Are you gonna listen now or block me out?
Take control to let me down?
Minimize then change your mind again?
How do you fall asleep?
Do you wanna know what I dream about?
I still look for you when the lights go out
But that's a separate problem
Maybe it's me
Maybe it's you
Tell me are you gonna
Break me?
Devastate me?
Let me go so you can chase me?
Forget the part
Where it shouldn't be this hard?
Keep me waiting, waiting
Say you'll listen now but block me out
Take control to let me down
Minimize then change your mind again
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
These lyrics from Bob Dylan and The Band's song "Gonna Get You Now" convey a sense of frustration and longing for genuine connection. The repetition of the question "Are you gonna listen now?" suggests a plea for someone to truly hear and understand the emotions and experiences being expressed. The singer feels trapped in a recurring pattern, where others express pity or remorse without fully grasping the depth of their struggles.
The lines "Say it's gonna be different, but you don't listen" highlight the disappointment and disillusionment that arise from broken promises and unfulfilled expectations. The singer realizes that they must become their own savior because the support and understanding they seek from others are not being received. This speaks to the human tendency to rely on external validation, only to be let down when it is not forthcoming.
The lyrics also explore the complexities of relationships and the confusion that can arise from mixed signals. The questions of "Do you wanna know what I dream about?" and "Tell me are you gonna break me? Devastate me?" reveal a fear of being taken advantage of or hurt by someone's actions. The singer wonders why they still feel the effects of a past incident, questioning their vulnerability and why they continue to be affected by the actions of others.
In addition, the repetition of "Are you gonna listen now? Now?" and "Are you gonna listen now or block me out?" suggests a desperation to be heard and understood. There is a desire for the other person to demonstrate genuine care and empathy, rather than dismissing or minimizing their feelings. The longing for validation and acknowledgement underscores the singer's search for emotional validation and demonstrates the pain of feeling unheard and invisible.
Overall, these lyrics capture the complexities of human relationships and the yearning for genuine connection. They reflect on the disappointments and confusion that can arise when others fail to truly listen and understand, highlighting the importance of empathy and sincere engagement in our interactions with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you finally going to pay attention and hear what I have to say at this moment?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Are you going to do what I am hoping for? Are you going to fulfill my expectations?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
Please confirm whether you are going to listen and understand me at this very moment.
I feel like I'm stuck
I have a sense of being trapped or unable to progress in my current situation.
In the same old story
Experiencing the same repetitive narrative or pattern repeatedly.
Hear everybody say how they're 'so sorry'
Being constantly bombarded with insincere apologies from people.
But it's not enough
However, those apologies are insufficient to address my feelings or resolve the issue.
It's never enough
No matter how many apologies I receive, they never feel sufficient or satisfactory.
Say it's gonna be different
Promising that things will change or improve in the future.
But you don't listen
Despite those promises, you fail to truly listen and understand my perspective.
Guess I gotta be my own hero
Since I can't rely on others to support me or solve my problems, I must take matters into my own hands and become my own savior.
How do you fall asleep?
I'm curious about what occupies your mind when you drift off to sleep.
Do you wanna know what I dream about?
Are you genuinely interested in knowing the content of my dreams?
Tell me are you gonna break me?
I need reassurance that you won't emotionally harm or destroy me.
Devastate me?
I want to know if you have the potential to completely devastate me emotionally.
Let me go so you can chase me?
Are you only interested in pursuing me when I distance myself from you?
Forget the part where it shouldn't be this hard?
It seems like you disregard the fact that our relationship should not require so much effort or be so difficult.
Keep me waiting, waiting?
Are you intentionally making me wait for your attention or responsiveness?
Are you gonna listen now or block me out?
Will you finally listen to me or continue to ignore or reject my thoughts and feelings?
Take control to let me down?
Are you going to assume control over our relationship only to disappoint me or fail to meet my expectations?
Minimize then change your mind again?
Will you downplay or belittle my concerns, only to later alter your position or perspective yet again?
Oh my god
Expressing surprise, frustration, or exasperation.
This devil is temperamental
Referring to a volatile or unpredictable aspect of oneself or someone else.
I didn't mean to cause any trouble
I didn't intend to create difficulties or conflict in our relationship.
But if there was no incident
Considering the possibility that there was no specific event or occurrence that caused this turmoil.
And it was mutual
If both parties contributed to the situation or the tension is shared equally between us.
Then why
If the above conditions apply, I am questioning why the aftermath is still affecting me so deeply.
Am I still messed up about it?
I am puzzled as to why I am still emotionally disturbed or distressed by the situation.
Why do I feel like a target?
I am struggling to understand why I constantly feel singled out or victimized in this relationship.
Why am I wondering how far they're gonna let 'em take it?
I can't help but ponder how much further they will allow their actions or behavior to escalate.
So do you wanna know what I dream about?
Are you genuinely interested in learning about the content of my dreams?
I still look for you when the lights go out
Even in the darkness or absence of light, I find myself searching for you or longing for your presence.
But that's a separate problem
Recognizing that my yearning for you in darkness is a distinct issue or challenge on its own.
Maybe it's me
Considering the possibility that the root of the problem lies within myself.
Maybe it's you
Considering the possibility that the other person involved is responsible for the issue at hand.
Tell me are you gonna break me?
I need assurance that you won't emotionally damage or shatter me.
Devastate me?
Am I at risk of being completely devastated emotionally by you?
Let me go so you can chase me?
Are you urging me to separate from you in order for you to pursue me once more?
Forget the part where it shouldn't be this hard?
Neglecting the fact that our relationship should not require so much effort or be so challenging.
Keep me waiting, waiting
Continuing to make me wait for your attention or response.
Say you'll listen now but block me out
Pretending to be willing to listen, but in reality, shutting me out and refusing to acknowledge my thoughts or feelings.
Take control to let me down
Assuming authority over our relationship only to disappoint me or let me down.
Minimize then change your mind again
Diminishing the significance of my concerns, only to later alter your perspective or decision once more.
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
I'm inquiring if you are finally willing to listen and understand me at this moment.
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Will you fulfill my desires or meet my expectations?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
Please confirm whether you will listen and comprehend what I have to say at this very moment.
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you finally going to pay attention and hear what I have to say at this moment?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Are you going to do what I am hoping for? Are you going to fulfill my expectations?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
Please confirm whether you are going to listen and understand me at this very moment.
Are you gonna listen now? Now?
Are you finally going to pay attention and hear what I have to say at this moment?
Are you gonna? Are you gonna?
Are you going to do what I am hoping for? Are you going to fulfill my expectations?
Tell me are you gonna listen now? Now?
Please confirm whether you are going to listen and understand me at this very moment.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Arden Kurhayez, Courtney Kurhayez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gongers
@Five Head lay of the sauce sounds like a plegrossi euphemism. ๐คข๐คฎOooooh perhaps you meant โoffโ.
Kโฆ.lay off the public school?
Just kidding (about Public school. I attended and Iโm amazing, brilliant, and positively charming).
I do love a โfive head thoughโ classic
๐๐โค๏ธ๐ค๐
Dylan is a legend. Credit where credit is due.
๐ค๐ฅ๐ค
But seriously though are you telling me you could sit through an entire Dylan show without at least a dose OF โthe sauceโ? Youโre a stronger willed human than me for sure. I concede. OR MAYBE YOUโRE DEAF? ? ๐คญ๐ถ๐คฃ๐
MA Jones
Bob Dylan ...not enough; th aforementioned one in Greensboro '78 was my first-
-I think Ive been to +/8 shows...Bob is th answer : doesnt matter if its some beat-to-death "maid in th kitchen" or some love song or Th Lord Jesus Christ.Folks freak at my house : sooooo much Bob-bilia on display ---huge posters, shelves of books, photos framed, backstage pass (Cincinnati '89), hand-written set-list...
Th '78 show : my gal & I took-off from GE & traveled from th Shenandoah Valley to NC; when we got there, she thought th motel I chose was too cheap so we rode over to th Holiday Inn; I asked for a room & th guy turned to get me a key; I looked over th counter & spied a piece of paper with "phone calls Mr. Dylan would receive" with "Suite 118-121"...& th clerk handed me th key to th room right beside th elevator! I "met" Bob on his way to th show! He even let me take his picture! [I was shakin like a dog shittin razor blades---a terrible photo.
After th show I tried to get his background-singer's tour-bag to no-avail. I sat most of th night with my room door open (smokin hashish) & hopin Th Master might happen by...
I did spend some time on th elevator with some (British?)guy talkin Bob.
Five Head
Probably my favorite track from this album! Sounds like a great opener for this legendary series of shows. Bob coming out with yet another voice.
Gongers
Yeah. And all he needed to do was sell his soul to the devil. He was selling the devil his soul waaaay before it was cool. ๐ฅ๐คญ๐๐ค๐ผโจ๐ค๐ผ
Five Head
@Gongers kโฆ lay off the sauce
Gongers
@Five Head lay of the sauce sounds like a plegrossi euphemism. ๐คข๐คฎOooooh perhaps you meant โoffโ.
Kโฆ.lay off the public school?
Just kidding (about Public school. I attended and Iโm amazing, brilliant, and positively charming).
I do love a โfive head thoughโ classic
๐๐โค๏ธ๐ค๐
Dylan is a legend. Credit where credit is due.
๐ค๐ฅ๐ค
But seriously though are you telling me you could sit through an entire Dylan show without at least a dose OF โthe sauceโ? Youโre a stronger willed human than me for sure. I concede. OR MAYBE YOUโRE DEAF? ? ๐คญ๐ถ๐คฃ๐
Five Head
@Gongers yes lay off, Iโll fix it, but quit drinking
Chaos and Creation
@Gongers this tour was my first concert ever and along with Rolling Thunder Review among the best Iโve seen. 1974 was a very good year and Dylan with the Band was magic. As I was 14 at the time w/o sauce. I will concede that his voice sounds best on Concert for Bangladesh
Letz_be_real
Great song Bob Dylan! The greatest songwriter of all times! Happy 80th birthday!โค๐
Rey Dawn
Ok nice tho but why you afraid of americans?
Letz_be_real
@Rey Dawn I'm not, it's my favorite David Bowie song.โคโก
Andi Cooper
I used to listen to this album over and over again in the late 70s. Dylan's music has always hit home with me.