Mar 25, 2012 | 100 Days with Bob Dylan
Link to Song: Blind Willie McTell
What you should know about this song: Originally, Dylan experimented with this song for the Infidels album in 1983. However, it wasn’t included on a record until The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 in 1991.
“I started playing it live because I hard The Band doing it. Most likely it was a demo, probably showing the musicians how it should go. It was never developed fully, I never got around to completing it. There wouldn’t have been any other reason for leaving it off the record.” – Bob Dylan, 2006
*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications
Photo Source: Lynn Goldsmith
Mar 24, 2012 | 100 Days with Bob Dylan
Link to Song: Jokerman
What you should know about this song: “Jokerman” went through a series of revisions in the early 1980s before it was chosen as the opening track for Infidels. Throughout his 1984 tour and again in his 1994 tour, Dylan regularly opened his shows with this song.
“‘Jokerman’ came to me in the [Caribbean] islands. It’s very mystical. The shapes there, and shadows, seem to be so ancient.” – Bob Dylan, 1984*
*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications
Photo Source: Lynn Goldsmith, 1983
Mar 23, 2012 | 100 Days with Bob Dylan
Link to Song: Every Grain of Sand
What you should know about this song:
“That’s a good poem to music. it’s a beautiful melody, too, isn’t it?” – Bob Dylan, 1991
“‘Every Grain of Sand’ was an excellent song, a very painless song to write. It took like 12 seconds – or that’s how it felt.” – Bob Dylan, 1992
*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications
Photo Source: NME
Mar 22, 2012 | 100 Days with Bob Dylan
Link to Song: Saving Grace
Melbourne Mass Choir version: Saving Grace
What you should know about this song: When Dylan released his Slow Train Coming and Saved albums, he received an array of criticism from the public regarding his conversion to Christianity and the influence of faith on his music: “The controversy masked the power of some of his finest material, not least this superb gospel ballad from 1980’s Saved, which was enriched by some of Dylan’s most emotional harmonica playing.”*
“People came to me when he put out his Christian records and said, “This guy’s finished – he can’t speak to us anymore.’ I thought those were some of the most beautiful gospel songs that have ever entered the whole landscape of gospel music.” – Leonard Cohen*
*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications
Photo Source: Digital Journal
Mar 21, 2012 | 100 Days with Bob Dylan
Link to Song:
What you should know about this song: “I Believe in You” is one of Dylan’s most expressive songs when it comes to his faith in God.
They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I know I’ll make it through
And they, they look at me and frown
They’d like to drive me from this town
They don’t want me around
‘Cause I believe in you.
They show me to the door
They say don’t come back no more
‘Cause I don’t be like they’d like me to
And I, I walk out on my own
A thousand miles from home
But I don’t feel alone
‘Cause I believe in you.
I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter
I believe in you even though we be apart
I believe in you even on the morning after
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart.
Don’t let me drift too far
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed
And that which you’ve given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you.
I believe in you when winter turn to summer
I believe in you when white turn to black
I believe in you even though I be outnumbered
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn’t make me go back.
Don’t let me change my heart
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue
And I, I don’t mind the pain
Don’t mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
‘Cause I believe in you.
*Source: “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Fine Communications
Photo Source: Pop Shifter
