Jakob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer… Read Full Bio ↴Jakob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the The Wallflowers. He has won two Grammy Awards, released two solo albums, and served as executive producer for the 2018 documentary film Echo In The Canyon. In addition to his musical accolades, Dylan has been recognized for his charity work by the American Diabetes Association and Connecting to Cure.

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).

No Matter What
Jakob Dylan Lyrics

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In to the arms of the unknown
In to the places we never go
By walking through deep snow down forgotten roads
Been chasin' a light that comes and goes

No matter what
There is a new day on its way
And no matter what

There is more love to be made

A crowd of young people gather in the park
A black satin skyline filling with stars
It's still not that easy hearing your name
I will not pretend for anyone I am half the same

No matter what
There is a new day on its way
And no matter what
There is more love to be made

There are dreams I keep secret
Where I go barefoot through gauntlets
Going back for this old love
I will risk my neck time and time again

Be at ease, I'm not leaving I am fearful what comes
There is grace in the madness when all seasons come at once
You are safe in the arms of the unknown
I just need to remind you that the brave, they carry on

No matter what
There is a new day on its way
And no matter what
There is more love to be made
No matter what
There is a heartache on its way

And no matter what
There is more love to be made

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jakob Dylan's song "No Matter What" speak to the human experience of facing the unknown - venturing into new places, taking risks, and stepping into the darkness with a glimmer of hope that things will turn out okay. The verses describe the act of walking through deep snow down forgotten roads, recognizing that life's journey can be unpredictable and challenging. Yet, the chorus reminds us that no matter what obstacles we face, there is always a new day on its way, with the potential for more love to be made.

The second verse of the song adds a layer of complexity by introducing a sense of loss and heartache. The image of a crowd of young people gathering in the park under a black satin skyline filled with stars suggests a feeling of loneliness, perhaps even a sense of being lost in the midst of others. The verse speaks to the difficulty of hearing one's name in such a crowded space, highlighting the feeling of being overlooked or forgotten. Despite these challenges, the singer remains true to themselves, asserting that they will not pretend to be something they are not.

The third verse alludes to the power of love and its ability to inspire bravery and risk-taking. The singer describes secret dreams that involve going barefoot through gauntlets, suggesting a willingness to face and overcome challenges for the sake of love. However, the verse also acknowledges the fear that accompanies such risks, as the singer notes that they are "fearful what comes." The final lines of the song remind us that we are never truly alone in the unknown, as we are always safe in the arms of the unknown, and that bravery will see us through.

Line by Line Meaning

In to the arms of the unknown
Entering unfamiliar territory, both literally and metaphorically.

In to the places we never go
Venturing to unknown or unexplored areas.

By walking through deep snow down forgotten roads
Putting in effort to travel down neglected paths.

Been chasin' a light that comes and goes
Pursuing something that is fleeting and inconsistent.

There is a new day on its way
Despite hardships, a better day is within reach.

There is more love to be made
Love is a perpetually abundant resource.

A crowd of young people gather in the park
Observing a scene of youthfulness and vitality.

A black satin skyline filling with stars
A night sky that is both beautiful and ominous.

It's still not that easy hearing your name
The pain of hearing a loved one's name when they're no longer present.

I will not pretend for anyone I am half the same
Refusing to put on a facade for others and acknowledging one's own losses and changes.

There are dreams I keep secret
Concealing personal dreams or aspirations.

Where I go barefoot through gauntlets
Pushing through difficult circumstances without protection, vulnerable but determined.

Going back for this old love
Returning to fighting for a previous love, despite hardships.

I will risk my neck time and time again
Willing to take risks and endure potential harm in the name of love.

Be at ease, I'm not leaving I am fearful what comes
Reassuring someone that they're not alone, despite the fear of the unknown.

There is grace in the madness when all seasons come at once
Finding beauty and peace even in the midst of chaos and tumultuous times.

You are safe in the arms of the unknown
Despite unfamiliarity and uncertainty, there is still safety and comfort to be found.

I just need to remind you that the brave, they carry on
Insight that it's necessary to be brave and carry on even in the face of uncertainty or danger.

There is a heartache on its way
Acknowledging that pain is part of life - it's inevitable.

And no matter what there is more love to be made
Despite hurt and pain, love is always present and able to be given and received.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jakob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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