Bob Dylan – Song #94: “Not Dark Yet”

Link to Song: Not Dark Yet

What you should know about this song:

“Stark and uncompromising, this deceptively gentle song was one of the key tracks on Time Out of Mind,”* and since its debut in 1997 the song has taken on a number of different roles. It was included on the Wonder Boys soundtrack, used during the closing scenes of the documentary Why We Fight, and featured on the album Passion of the Christ: Songs Inspired By. The song has also inspired a number of cover versions by artists including Eric Clapton, Silversun Pickups, Jimmy LaFave, and Robyn Hitchcock.

“I try to live within that line between despondency and hope. I’m suited to walk that line, right between the fire.” – Bob Dylan, 1997*

*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications

94 - 1997 - Time Out of Mind

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Bob Dylan – Song #93: “Tryin’ To Get to Heaven”

Link to Song: Tryin’ To Get to Heaven

What you should know about this song: This song was highly acclaimed by critics upon the release of 1997’s Time Out of Mind album. Three years later, Dylan completely reworked the melody line for a stunning new version.

“What makes my songs different is that there’s a foundation to them. That’s why they’re still around. They’re not written to be performed by other people. But they’re standing on a strong foundation, and subliminally that’s what people are hearing.” – Bob Dylan, 1997

*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications

93 - 1997 - Trying to Get to Heaven

Photo Source: Johanna’s Visions

Bob Dylan – Song #92: “Love Sick”

Link to Song: Love Sick

What you should know about this song: The Time Out of Mind album released in 1997 was Dylan’s first release of original material in seven years. The opening track, “Love Sick,” is a “brooding essay on romantic disillusion.” Dylan debuted the song in concert the night before the album was released. He also performed it at the Grammy Awards ceremony in 1998.

“To think entertainers always have to be happy is a kind of shallow thing. in fact, I remember one of Bob’s quotes: ‘Happy? Anybody can be happy. What’s the purpose of that?'” – Pete Seeger

*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications

92 - 1997 - Love Sick

Photo Source: Expecting Rain

Bob Dylan – Song #90: “Dignity”

Link to Song: Dignity

What you should know about this song: “Dignity” became the highlight of his MTV Unplugged concert, his performance reaching the UK Top 40 singles chart in 1995.

“People can learn everything about me through my songs, if they know where to look.” – Bob Dylan, 1990*

*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications

90 - 1994 - Woodstock

Photo Source: Johannas Visions

Bob Dylan – Song #89: “Man In the Long Black Coat”

Link to Song: Man in the Long Black Coat

What you should know about this song:

“It’s one of my favorites. It paints a picture of small town Americana, a dance hall on the outskirts of town, and how a strange individual comes in, and ‘Not a word of goodbye, not even a note, she’s gone with the man in the long black coat’.” – Daniel Lanois

*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications

89 - 1989 - Oh Mercy Album

Photo Source: Johannas Visions