submissions
| Bob Dylan – Desolation Row Lyrics
| 12 years ago
|
|
There are only so many chord changes and melodies inherent in what is known as "rock and roll," and/or folk and "folk-rock." It is well-known that quite a few of Dylan's most enduring songs were built around melodies based on "traditional" folk songs. "Blowin' In The Wind" is lifted from a song he actually used in his sets very early, circa 1962, in New York, called "No More Auction Block." Other early solo acoustic numbers borrowed amply from very old songs, known as "Child Ballads." This, to me, is not stealing, but paying homage to fabulous songs that greatly influenced Bob (as well as millions more who delved into the new folk music revival in the early '60s, especially in Greenwich Village). Regarding "Desolation Row," I have no clue as to where that melody came from. Likely from Bob's head. But what is most intriguing to me is what he was/is capable of conveying, using two, three or four chords. "Row" uses three chords, and at 10+ minutes, flirts with monotony. And yet in this case, there is so much more going on as the three chords dance and sway. Power; spiritual power; the ecstasy in the voice of the poet who has created a new language to express new themes. One doesn't need any more than three or four simple chords in order to reach and touch people. Therein lies one of his magical abilities~E |
submissions
| Bob Dylan – Open the Door, Homer Lyrics
| 12 years ago
|
|
Fascinating. There is a whole bunch of pages and info available if one googles "Open The Door, Richard" ( https://www.google.com/#q=open+the+door+richard&safe=off ), none of which has anything to do with Bob Dylan! The fascinating irony about this, is that, although Dylan's official, published song and lyrics go under the title "Open The Door, Homer," he sings 'Richard' on the recording (BASEMENT TAPES). Making it more weird, is that, because of the way he pronounces 'Richard," it sounded to me, for years before I saw the lyrics, exactly like "…open the door, Rachel!" So Dylanesque a situation!!!~E |
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.
