| Bruce Springsteen – Mary's Place Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| I think it's about a bad time, and trying to get over that bad time, sort of a song about the healing power of music. I love the gospel feel. | |
| Bob Dylan – Boots of Spanish Leather Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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It's about the difference between the way men and women communicate. She wants to leave, but also wants to stay, so she keeps asking him if he wants a gift. He keeps saying no, not getting the double meaning. Finally, she tells him that it is over, and he asks for a gift; the tales of her travels. I think it's interesting that you don't know who is the man and who is the woman until the 7th verse. |
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| Bob Dylan – Man in the Long Black Coat Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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I think the song has links in other Dylan songs. It starts out with a description of some kind of rural area, I'd say the south, (note "African trees" in relation to a song like "Blind Willie McTell") Then they start in with the events that circle around the Man in the Long Black Coat, who I think is related to Woody Guthre's "Gypsey Davey". But I think Dylan is also using Gypsey Davey as a kind of moral story. The Man also represents what we want but can't have, what we are forbidden from having. "Every Man's Conscience is Vile and Depraved." In "Gypsey Davey" the husband tries to convince the wife to come back to him by using "your blue-eyed baby" as bait. Her response: "I will forsake my husband dear/ To go with the Gypsey Davey/ I have forsaken my house and home/ But not my blue eyed baby." The Gypsey Davey, like the Man, is forbidden. And it's always pointed out to be forbidden "Somebody's out there beating on a dead horse". The last part of the Bridge is about the woman throwing off the shackles of the religion which forbids what she wants. Also of interest, in 2004 concerts, Bob sings "I went down to the river/ But I just missed the boat" Instead of the "Live or die" part. |
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