In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Love Minus Zero / No Limit
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without ideals or violence
She doesn't have to say she's faithful
Yet she's true like fire, like ice
People carry roses
Make promises by the hour
My love she laughs like the flowers
In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk of situations
Read books, read deep quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall
Some speak of the future
My love, she speaks softly
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all
The cloak and dagger dangles
Madams light the candles
In ceremonies of the horsemen
Even the pawn must hold a grudge
Statues made of matchsticks
Crumble into one another
My love winks she does not bother
She knows too much to argue or to judge
The bridge at midnight trembles
The country doctor rambles
Bankers' nieces seek perfection
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
The wind howls like a hammer
The night wind blows cold and rainy
My love, she's like some raven
At my window with a broken wing
Joan Baez's song Love Minus Zero / No Limit is about the complexity and beauty of love. The opening lines, "My love, she speaks like silence, Without ideals or violence," suggests that the singer's love is someone who doesn't need to speak to express herself. She is faithful and true, like fire and ice. Instead of buying expensive gifts like flowers and valentines, love is more about the genuine connection between two people.
Throughout the song, the singer contrasts the simplicity of love with the complexities of the world. People discuss situations and draw conclusions on the wall, while some speak of the future, but love speaks softly and knows that failure can lead to success. Even in situations like ceremonies of the horsemen and statues made of matchsticks crumbling, the singer's love winks and knows too much to argue or judge.
The bridge at midnight trembles, the wind howls like a hammer, and the night wind blows cold and rainy, but love is like a raven with a broken wing at the singer's window. The imagery creates a sense of chaos and uncertainty, but through it all, love is the one constant that provides comfort and solace.
Line by Line Meaning
My love, she speaks like silence
My love is quiet but she communicates more than words would allow.
Without ideals or violence
She doesn't hold onto any strong beliefs nor causes any harm.
She doesn't have to say she's faithful
She doesn't make any promises, but her actions and demeanor reflect true loyalty.
Yet she's true like fire, like ice
She's consistently unwavering, impassive, and genuine.
People carry roses
Others may try to make grand gestures, but she doesn't need material goods.
Make promises by the hour
Some people make vows too often and too easily.
My love she laughs like the flowers
My love's laughter is as delightful and free-spirited as the flowers.
Valentines can't buy her
You can't win her heart by showering her with gifts.
In the dime stores and bus stations
In ordinary, mundane places where people gather.
People talk of situations
They discuss various problems and dilemmas.
Read books, read deep quotations
They read literature and quote philosophers, hoping to gain insight.
Draw conclusions on the wall
But ultimately, they form their opinions without thorough analysis.
Some speak of the future
Some people talk about what they expect to happen.
My love, she speaks softly
My love speaks gently.
She knows there's no success like failure
She understands that failure is a crucial aspect of success.
And that failure's no success at all
Without experiencing failure, true success cannot be achieved.
The cloak and dagger dangles
Secret, mysterious actions and intentions are in play.
Madams light the candles
Prostitutes illuminate their spaces to attract customers.
In ceremonies of the horsemen
In gatherings of those who seek power and privilege.
Even the pawn must hold a grudge
Even the powerless individual must seek revenge.
Statues made of matchsticks
Ideals and values that are precarious and fragile.
Crumble into one another
Easily collapsing and blending with other beliefs.
My love winks she does not bother
My love simply smiles or winks instead of engaging in pointless, fruitless debates.
She knows too much to argue or to judge
She's wise enough to avoid criticism, bias, and contention.
The bridge at midnight trembles
The unstable state of one's emotions.
The country doctor rambles
Even the professionals can't always keep it together.
Bankers' nieces seek perfection
The privileged and wealthy may strive for perfection.
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
They expect to reap rewards without putting in the effort.
The wind howls like a hammer
The deafening sound of unwavering, harsh criticism.
The night wind blows cold and rainy
The gloomy, melancholic state of one's feelings.
My love, she's like some raven
My love is like a mysterious bird.
At my window with a broken wing
Trying to connect despite being unable to fly or soar.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mobashshira Islam
"My love, she speaks like silence
Without ideals or violence
She doesn't have to say she's faithful
Yet she's true like fire, like ice
People carry roses
Make promises by the hour
My love she laughs like the flowers
Valentines can't buy her
In the dime stores and bus stations
People talk of situations
Read books, read deep quotations
Draw conclusions on the wall
Some speak of the future
My love, she speaks softly
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all
The cloak and dagger dangles
Madams light the candles
In ceremonies of the horsemen
Even the pawn must hold a grudge
Statues made of matchsticks
Crumble into one another
My love winks she does not bother
She knows too much to argue or to judge
The bridge at midnight trembles
The country doctor rambles
Bankers' nieces seek perfection
Expecting all the gifts that wise men bring
The wind howls like a hammer
The night wind blows cold and rainy
My love, she's like some raven
At my window with a broken wing"
Tim Dufelmeier
Certainly Joan masters the phrasing of the lyrics and flow of the melody so effortlessly ....who among them could resist this perfect version?
jimmytheclam1
Great voice, great song.
Nancy Moss
I was just listening to this CD in my car. One of my favorites. I show my age when I crank up "Love is just a 4-letter word." So much to like on this CD.
David Anthony Stone
Joan is a wonderful angel
Lonesome Rider
Nobody sings Dylan like Dylan but Joan Baez
Super Marky
“she knows that there is no success like failure and that failure is no success at all” - genius lyrics.
Christine Brodeur
Super Marky that Bob Dylan for ya!
WitchidWitchid
success = failure ^ failure =/= success. That line always got me.
Luiggi Michael Riwu-Kaho
Joan Baez is wonderful🌾🌾🌾
Graciela Brunetti
ES UNA GENIAAAAAA!!! ÚNICA E INSUPERABLE!!!!! ME ENCANTA LA CANCIÓN. MUCHAS GRACIAS POR COMPARTIRLA!!!! [iminent=o3GQ97YVffOB]