This might be my favorite song on Planet Waves. I like the album because there a kind of childlikeness to the writing. Here, Dylan just cuts loose with images that strike at your real heart; and "Tough Mama" is a great case in point.
It's pretty simple, really; the tough mama is a powerful love interest. She's been around, she's got spirit, she's "got back," she's the sweet bosom on which our hero pauses to rest his head after a wearing sojourn in this world of dark delusion. He's been there, done that, and then some, and he's ready for love. And he sees complementary qualities in this dark beauty. Is she ready? With a worshipful, lusty, rainbow-studded come-on like this, how could she not be?!
I always figure that real women just want to be seen as beautiful and want to be loved. This song is about exactly that.
This might be my favorite song on Planet Waves. I like the album because there a kind of childlikeness to the writing. Here, Dylan just cuts loose with images that strike at your real heart; and "Tough Mama" is a great case in point.
It's pretty simple, really; the tough mama is a powerful love interest. She's been around, she's got spirit, she's "got back," she's the sweet bosom on which our hero pauses to rest his head after a wearing sojourn in this world of dark delusion. He's been there, done that, and then some, and he's ready for love. And he sees complementary qualities in this dark beauty. Is she ready? With a worshipful, lusty, rainbow-studded come-on like this, how could she not be?!
I always figure that real women just want to be seen as beautiful and want to be loved. This song is about exactly that.
@razajac I really love this interpretation you have. Awesome!
@razajac I really love this interpretation you have. Awesome!