What good am I some like all the rest
If I just turn away when I see how you're dressed
If I shut myself off so I can't hear you cry
What good am I?

What good am I if I know and don't do
If I see and don't say if I look right through you
If I turn a deaf ear to the thunderin' sky
What good am I?

What good am I while you softly weep
And I hear in my head what you say in your sleep
And I freeze in the moment like the rest who don't try
What good am I?

What good am I then to others and me
If I had every chance and yet still fail to see
If my hands are tied must I not wonder within
Who tied them and why and where must I have been

What good am I if I say foolish things
And I laugh in the face of what sorrow brings
And I just turn my back while you silently die
What good a I?


Lyrics submitted by endeavour

What Good Am I? Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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What Good Am I? song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Powerful song.

    frankbooth7on March 04, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This is insainly good. It's a very good thinkiing song. I think everyone has asked themself "what good am i" at some point. Also i love the fadeaway intro it's so beautiful. To say that this is underatted would be a massive understatement. I can think of maybe 5 Dylan songs that are better than this, but not 10. A masterpeace!!

    thrashgrunge4lifeon July 09, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Beautiful.

    fall poetasteron March 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Tom Jones did an outstanding cover of this song on his "Praise

    RonLeeon August 20, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I wonder if the thoughts behind this song led to the album title. What good am I? Not much, really. I am an undeserving recipient of mercy. Oh mercy!

    Carloteson January 28, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I wonder if this could be about the plight of the homeless? "If I just turn away when I see how you're dressed"
    "If I turn a deaf ear to the thunderin' sky"

    walterbyrdon October 10, 2022   Link

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