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.
Odds and Ends
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You break your promise all over the place
You promised to love me, but what do I see?
Just you comin' in and spillin' juice over me
Odds and ends, odds and ends
Lost time is not found again
Now you take your file and you bend my head
You promised to love me, but what do I know?
You're spillin' juice on me like you got some place to go
Odds and ends, odds and ends
Lost time is not found again
Now I've had enough, my box is clean
You know what I'm sayin' and you know what I mean
From now on you'd best get on someone else
While you're doin' it, keep that juice to yourself
Odds and ends, odds and ends
Lost time is not found again
The lyrics of Bob Dylan and The Band's song "Odds and Ends" reflect on the complexities of a troubled relationship. Dylan sings about a partner who constantly breaks promises and undermines the trust that has been established. He describes how he stands in awe, shaking his face, as his partner continuously spills juice over him, a symbol of the disrespect and disregard that he has been shown. Dylan then goes on to talk about how despite the partner's promises of love, he continues to bend Dylan's head and make unrealistic demands. He concludes the song by declaring that his box is clean, and he's had enough, indicating that he's moving on from the relationship.
The lyrics showcase Dylan's exceptional ability to communicate complex themes through music. He intertwines ideas of lost time, broken promises, and the difficulty of trusting someone who continually undermines you. In addition, the song's catchy melody enhances the mood and emotions of the lyrics, allowing them to resonate with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand in awe and shake my face
I am stunned and bewildered, causing me to tremble and shake my head in disbelief
You break your promise all over the place
You consistently fail to keep your word and let me down in various ways
You promised to love me, but what do I see?
You made a vow to care for me, but your actions demonstrate the opposite
Just you comin' in and spillin' juice over me
Every time you are near me, you create a mess and add to my troubles
Odds and ends, odds and ends
Random and disparate things that are of little value or coherence
Lost time is not found again
Once time has passed, it cannot be regained or recovered
Now you take your file and you bend my head
You subject me to mental abuse and make me feel confused and helpless
I never can remember anything that you said
Your words are forgettable and meaningless, and I cannot keep track of them
You promised to love me, but what do I know?
Even though you claimed to have affection for me, I cannot trust your words
You're spillin' juice on me like you got some place to go
You act as if you are in a hurry to leave and are not concerned about the mess you leave behind
Now I've had enough, my box is clean
I have reached my limit and want nothing more to do with you, as I have cleared my life of your negativity
You know what I'm sayin' and you know what I mean
You are fully aware of the situation and understand what I am communicating
From now on you'd best get on someone else
You should find another person to bother or take advantage of, as I am no longer interested
While you're doin' it, keep that juice to yourself
As you engage in your activities, please do not involve me or create additional problems and stress
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@monicatolipan3238
Think it's a fabulous, funny and ironic song and lyrics! Singing a real poem composed and sung by Bob Dylan"s greatest voice!❤
@JorgeLMarquezsM
Empezaba con esto el disco, no? Lo recuerdo desde ésta, partiendo con todo!
@agawamguy
I like this funky little ditty. It's catchy!
@lancechadwell5138
Rock n roll, man.
@alanclarke5543
....its a great opener for the double album.
@TheRacboys
This album makes ne feel high and I am not
@bollykecks
Lost time is not found again...
@maggiebryan2355
True
@maltesetony9030
Benjamin Franklin - every American kid learns it at school. So that line of Dylan's would resonate enormously with US listeners.
@TheRacboys
Somebody needs to upload the lyrics so I don't sing it wrong.