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I agree strongly with most of what ZFT says about this song; it's an exposé of the parties to a relationship from both sides, with a critical eye on the male partner. It gets at something typical of many men that women used to have to put up with -- but it's not that simple; she seems to love him despite his selfishness in the relationship and other shortcomings. It's not just remarkable for what it expresses but how succinct it is -- under 40 lines, as it progresses through three verses, no chorus, and says so much in that short span. So, I was astonished at how incisive and direct it is when I first heard it in the '70s, and there was a long period when I sang it over and over to myself, trying to learn from or draw on it I think. It is a remarkable song, and in addition to the Dylan songs that ZFT mentions I'll add "Positively 4th Street," the song Joni credits for opening up lyric writing in ways no one had before ("You've got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend"). I'll only add that while it's a great song, it's not what everyone wants in a song, not upbeat or danceable or goofy or fun. If you like serious, poetic, insightful and meaningful lyrics tied to an enchanting melody, this is undoubtedly one of the greatest of those songs.
I agree strongly with most of what ZFT says about this song; it's an exposé of the parties to a relationship from both sides, with a critical eye on the male partner. It gets at something typical of many men that women used to have to put up with -- but it's not that simple; she seems to love him despite his selfishness in the relationship and other shortcomings. It's not just remarkable for what it expresses but how succinct it is -- under 40 lines, as it progresses through three verses, no chorus, and says so much in that short span. So, I was astonished at how incisive and direct it is when I first heard it in the '70s, and there was a long period when I sang it over and over to myself, trying to learn from or draw on it I think. It is a remarkable song, and in addition to the Dylan songs that ZFT mentions I'll add "Positively 4th Street," the song Joni credits for opening up lyric writing in ways no one had before ("You've got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend"). I'll only add that while it's a great song, it's not what everyone wants in a song, not upbeat or danceable or goofy or fun. If you like serious, poetic, insightful and meaningful lyrics tied to an enchanting melody, this is undoubtedly one of the greatest of those songs.