submissions
| Bob Dylan – Highlands Lyrics
| 18 years ago
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When I first heard this, I was driving to an event and was hopelessly lost, and I just remember thinking, geez, when is this thing going to end. I hated it! Now, it's one of my absolute favorite Dylan songs. Here's my take on its meaning: It's basically divided into two parts that weave in and out while being compared and contrasted. Those parts are: 1. Heaven ("the highlands") is going to be a wonderful place, and 2. We sure have to put up with a lot of stupid junk while we are still on earth. On earth, he has to deal with a waitress who doesn't fall victim to his witty banter, desite his best efforts, and he has to deal with being told his music is too loud, the need to vote, all the people who wander around and through his life, what to wear. In short, life is all this mess of stuff, but heaven -- that's going to be something special, and he's trying to get there despite everything else. It's always in the back of his mind. He's seen the world, been everywhere there is to be, except one place that he really, really wants to get to.
With repeated listenings, this song has grown richer and richer over the years.
Also, there's a bootleg available online called "Groundhogs day in the Highlands." It's nothing but a collection of live versions of this song. Funny concept, but I think the tempos are way too fast, and the song loses it's contemplative flavor. (It also loses 4 or 5 minutes per performance from the original.) |
submissions
| Bob Dylan – With God on Our Side Lyrics
| 18 years ago
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For some very interesting lyrical variations, listen to the Neville Brothers version from 1989. Supposedly Bob re-wrote the lyrics as a sort of update. (The Neville Brothers version was produced by Daniel Lanois, the same year as Oh, Mercy.) |
submissions
| Bob Dylan – Shelter from the Storm Lyrics
| 18 years ago
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One thing that always catches my ear in this song is how sometimes the delivery of the last line in a verse sounds very sincere, and at other times the delivery strongly conveys sarcasm and bitterness, as if to say, "She promised me shelter, but I should have known better." Great song, and one that grows on you. |
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