Born in 1969 to singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and wife Sara Lowndes, Jakob Dylan grew up in Los Angeles and briefly enrolled in Parsons School of Design, before turning his attention back to music, forming The Wallflowers in 1989. it has been reported that Jakob does not like his famous father to be mentioned during interviews. This is not because of animosity between the two, as is widely assumed, but because Jakob has stated that he wants to make his own name for himself, and does not want to open doors or sell tickets by capitalizing on his family name. Dylan talked more in-depth about his father in a 2005 interview with The New York Times, saying they have a "great relationship".
Jakob married his childhood sweetheart, screenwriter Nicole Paige Denny (Paige Dylan), in a ceremony at Sara Dylan's house in 1992. Their first child, Levi, was born two years later. They had a second son James in 1998 and a third son in 2000. Jakob shares his family's desire for an anonymous personal life: "The world's as big as the block you live on, and I like to keep it small. I have had the same friends since I was eleven years old." Jakob says he is often amused when asked the question, "When did you change your name to Dylan?"
The Wallflowers got their start playing alongside other aspiring rockers at Canter's delicatessen in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. In 1992 the band signed to Virgin Records and released their self-titled debut album. The debut sold poorly however, and after they were released from Virgin Records, the band had difficulty finding a new record deal. Eventually, with the help of manager Andrew Slater and a demo tape of "6th Avenue Heartache," they landed a new deal with Interscope Records.
Before releasing Bringing Down The Horse in 1996, the band re-grouped. Original members Peter Yanowitz and Tobi Miller departed; and guitarist Michael Ward, bassist Greg Richling, and drummer Mario Calire joined the band. The only remaining original members that carried over were Jakob Dylan and keyboardist Rami Jaffee. The album yielded several hit singles, including "6th Avenue Heartache," "One Headlight," and "The Difference." The album sold over four million copies and won two Grammy Awards, for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rock Song.
The Wallflowers followed up the album with the release of Breach in 2000. Although not as commercially successful as their prior album, it was certified Gold and garnered two Top 40 hits, "Sleepwalker" and "Letters From The Wasteland". The band released three more albums on Interscope before taking a break in 2006.
During the band's hiatus, Dylan launched his solo career and released two solo albums to critical acclaim. Seeing Things, was produced by Rick Rubin and released on June 10, 2008. It captured Dylan's songwriting in a stripped-down acoustic atmosphere, and was well received by critics. His follow-up, Women and Country in 2010, saw Dylan reuniting with producer T-Bone Burnett for an americana record. The album featured a large ensemble of musicians, including vocalists Neko Case and Kelly Hogan, guitarists Marc Ribot and Greg Leisz, and drummer Jay Bellerose. It reached #12 on Billboard's Top 200.
The Wallflowers mainstay lineup reunited for the 2012 album Glad All Over, before all the remaining members left. Dylan decided to take a break from making music and started working on a documentary with producer/director (and longtime manager) Andrew Slater. The documentary film "Echo In The Canyon" was released in 2018, and received mostly positive reviews.
In 2021, The Wallflowers announced they would release their first new album in nearly a decade -- Exit Wounds, with the band continuing as a Jakob Dylan solo project. Exit Wounds debuted at #3 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart, making it the band's highest charting album (with Bringing Down The Horse having peaked at #4).
I Told You I Couldn't Stop
Jakob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A plantation
In the clearing is a platform station
In the distance
Is a kingdom
Into the front line is how I'm coming
They say in war
All is fair
In spite of my condition
Whatever you thought
Whatever you thought
You know I told you
I couldn't stop
I couldn't stop
Now through the desert
Out to the sea
Weather-beaten through all four seasons
Now there is love
In my creation
I've come back
For all the right reasons
I aint your castle
You're not a queen
It isn't yours that you're so busy there protecting
Whatever you thought
Whatever you thought
You know I told you
I couldn't stop
Whatever you thought
Whatever you thought
You know I told you
I couldn't stop
I couldn't stop
All this beauty
I'll stick you sweet
This naughty world is due for a good a deed
Give me your poor
Your tired huddled masses
Bring me the head of a mule in my glasses
Sing that lonesome high melody
Now rumble your men
The horror behind me
Whatever you thought
Whatever you thought
You know I told you
I couldn't stop
Whatever you thought
Whatever you thought
You know I told you
I couldn't stop
I couldn't stop
I couldn't stop
I couldn't stop
The lyrics of "I Told You I Couldn't Stop" by Jakob Dylan describe a journey of personal growth and self-realization. The opening lines, "In my mind's eye / A plantation / In the clearing is a platform station / In the distance / Is a kingdom," suggest the singer's sense of ambition and a desire to achieve greatness. However, they are also aware of the challenges that lie ahead, as indicated by the line "They say in war / All is fair." Despite this, the singer is determined to push forward, even in spite of their own limitations and conditions.
The second verse takes the listener on a journey through different seasons and landscapes, suggesting that the singer has traveled far and undergone significant change. They have found love and a deeper sense of purpose, returning "for all the right reasons." However, they also recognize that their place in the world is not fixed or absolute, and that they are not immune to vulnerability or the struggles of others. The line "I aint your castle / You're not a queen / It isn't yours that you're so busy there protecting" suggests a critique of power structures and a call for greater humility and compassion.
The final verse features a call to action, advocating for social justice and a shared responsibility to create a better world. The singer urges listeners to "Give me your poor / Your tired huddled masses / Bring me the head of a mule in my glasses," suggesting a willingness to confront challenges head-on and find strength in community. The final lines, "Sing that lonesome high melody / Now rumble your men / The horror behind me," suggest both a sense of hope and determination, as well as a recognition that the road ahead may be difficult and require great sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
In my mind's eye
Imagining a scenario in my thoughts
A plantation
An agricultural estate with crops, often producing cash crops like tobacco and cotton
In the clearing is a platform station
A site in the midst of farmland from which trains can be boarded and unboarded
In the distance
Far from where I am right now
Is a kingdom
A territory ruled by a monarch
Into the front line is how I'm coming
I will approach the battlefront head on
They say in war
It is often said that in times of war
All is fair
Anything goes, there are no rules
I'm headed to the field
Moving towards the area of battle
In spite of my condition
Regardless of my state of being
Whatever you thought
No matter what you expected
You know I told you
I had informed you previously
I couldn't stop
I was incapable of ceasing my actions
Now through the desert
Currently traveling across a barren, arid area
Out to the sea
Moving towards the ocean
Weather-beaten through all four seasons
Exposed to different types of weather and conditions throughout the year
Now there is love
Currently experiencing feelings of affection
In my creation
Within something that I've made or produced
I've come back
Returned to a place I had previously left
For all the right reasons
Motivated by positive intentions
I aint your castle
I am not your fortress or stronghold
You're not a queen
You do not have the supreme authority we usually associate with royalty
It isn't yours that you're so busy there protecting
You're preoccupied with safeguarding something that is not actually yours
All this beauty
The gorgeous nature around us
I'll stick you sweet
I'll surprise you pleasantly
This naughty world is due for a good a deed
Our world has had too many negative actions, and it's time to make a positive one
Give me your poor
Provide me with your less-fortunate citizens
Your tired huddled masses
Your exhausted and overworked groups of people
Bring me the head of a mule in my glasses
Offer me something absurd that will make things more interesting
Sing that lonesome high melody
Play a sad, melancholic tune
Now rumble your men
Get your troops prepared for a coming battle
The horror behind me
The dreadful experience I had previously endured
I couldn't stop
I couldn't halt my actions, no matter how hard I tried
Contributed by Gabriella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dav7boz
Most definitely underrated. This cat's lyrics are damn good. And even while songs start out in a traditional progression he creates something unique and original around the chords in every one.
@AlisonWild
You nailed it, so well spoke!
@mikeweir3680
I'm so happy that the apple does not fall, far from the tree!!!
@Almondina
Couldn't say it better myself! We love Jakob for his own music, he is very talented.
@MsAnnestube
Its good that Jakob chose to be an entertainer instead of a fireman or something....his voice is a soft soothing one...bravo kid....
@weepingguitar23
Gah I love this song, and I love Jakob. His stuff is just fantastic! He paints gorgeous, weathered landscapes with his lyrics and "raspy" voice. it's just GOOD... :)
@kathylarson8876
Love bob Dylan's stuff, no-one else can put that emotion in words like him, but really like jacobs stuff,
@katells
His new CD, Seeing Things, is AMAZING! Everyone should get it now!
@Margiana123
Absolutely beautiful song!!!
@jOneCrow
Love your writing, voice, everything! You're awesome ❤️