This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Go 'way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call
A lover for your life an' nothing more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call
A lover for your life an' nothing more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Lyrics submitted by Kitten_61, edited by Mellow_Harsher, deborah305
It Ain't Me Babe Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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I've never looked at it that way, but Jpadgeman is SO right. Of course, Dylan writes songs in many levels so I don't think it's wrong to believe that it is also about the folk music and, why not, some girl. After all, look at the guy. He's a stone-cold heartbreaker. Never looking back.
The relationship is probably his with the 60s generation. in "Chronicles" he shows utter disdain about being called 'the voice of a generation.' He's not willing to get assasinated, "to die for you," like MLK or JFK or RFK, it's not for him to be a leader, he's a song writer.
You say you're lookin' for someone Never weak but always strong, To protect you an' defend you Whether you are right or wrong, Someone to open each and every door, But it ain't me, babe,
I love Dylan's use of "babe" here. We always think of it as a filler word, as it is used today. A pet name, or something to run up and down the scale on as you show off your range. In reality, it is simple, pure, and endearing. Whether he is speaking to a country, a woman, or the folkies, he loves them. It's the ultimate, "I love you dearly, but I cannot be with you right now." Not a break up- frusteration. The frusteration of something difficult separating them.
How incredible. Oh, Bob. You always make my day.
This song isn't about love or about war. He was talking to all the people who were trying to make him the leader of a movement he wanted no part of. It was popular to be a rebel then, and they made him out to be their leader, but Bob wasn't all that "'rebellious" if anything he was rebelling against the rebels see the song "my back pages" where he talks about about pointing at the mongrel dogs who teach, fearing not id become my enemy at the moment that I preached" Bob wanted people to think for themselves and not judge others
i love this song. it's so sad, and sweet at the same time, but it breaks your heart. i love you, but i'm not the one you want, or the one you need. you want someone who can give more of himself, and that just isn't me. maybe i want to be that person, but i can't. i'm sorry. you should leave me, because i just can't be what you need, regardless of how i feel about you or how you feel about me.
@luckye225 Agree. I listened to this song for years. The words that I wished I had the courage to say to my ex. She turned out to be not what I wanted, expected. Not her fault. We just weren\'t compatible enough. I had hoped for a more self reliant professional woman, something she didn\'t want to be. I\'m not perfect, far from it. Perhaps I didn\'t love her enough but I didn\'t have it in me to say this. \r\n
The best anti-love song ever.
He's saying he's not good enough for her, He is unable to give her what she wants and needs . (Unconditional Love)
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. This is one of the best anti-war songs ever. He's singing it to the Statue of Liberty. The only thing that's more than dying for you is killing someone else for you. "Each time you call" is the draft. Made of stone is obvious. Protect you and defend you if you are right or wrong. Do I need to go on!
Whoaa! You're probably right!!!! Had'nt thought of that before. But where did you get that meaning, is it your interpretation or someone elses? Now i love this song even more =D
Thanks for this. I think one of the things about the time (60s & 70s) was there were these meanings one had to find.
@Jpadgeman Nice theory, ‘cept that the Statue of Liberty is not made of stone, but of copper. I’m sure Dylan knew that.
This song reminds me of coming out of a bad relationship and meeting someone great but you just don't have the energy to start another relationship and give more after you've put so much energy into one that died.
And Jpadgeman, it could definitly be about that but haven't you ever heard someone refer to someone as "made of stone." That's the beauty of the song.
Jpadgeman - Huh. I never looked at it that way before. But I think you're right.