Bob Dylan - Desolation Row (Official Audio)

[@richardwhitfill5253]

I remember listening to this album over and over and over in my bedroom in 1966 when I 17 years old. I'm 70 now and I'm still listen ing. Thanks Bob. Richard in Dallas.

[@kennethshort2016]

May you listen for a thousand more years brother!

[@kennethshort2016]

That is so cool 😎 to hear you say that..may you have many more!

[@m10s13h49]

1'm 72. we all share the same the emotion and where we were at that time.The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@lkronquist]

Exactly the same for me. Born in '49. Completely mesmerized by Dylan from 9th grade on, but it cooled off by the time I started college.

[@dennisg.582]

Me too. Same age, same sentiment

[@davidhillel75]

one of the greatest songs ever written. If you were wondering why he deserved the Noble prize, listen to this ballad.

[@arthurriordan5760]

Nobel

[@philwearmouth1102]

Or anything from Blood on the Tracks

[@evelinegordon5619]

It's inspired by the only lynching of black men in Minnesota, 3 black circus workers in Duluth. His father was 8 at the time, lived a few blocks away. They did indeed sell postcards of that hanging.

[@bethkelly9987]

He is a miracle.

[@patgalvez4563]

i wouldn't doubt that it was crazy back then@@evelinegordon5619

[@mackb909]

The past 24 hours, this is the song that, after hearing it for the first time almost 60 years ago when I was a kid, sums up where I'm at. If things go over the next months and years as I fear, we'll all be on Desolation Row.

[@Macgargan2976]

It's always darkest before the dawn

[@JLO47]

@@Macgargan2976 Or as John McCain put it: “ It’s always darkest before it turns pitch black”.

[@twillis449]

Bob Dylan's brain is just wired up differently from the rest of us. I could not dream up these lyrics in a million years. Such a great song.

[@martybourke2428]

If you find a place of peace ,you to can write anything as great as anyone

[@marie-christinerabillard5877]

Seulement Bob Dylan a mis son égo et son mental comme serviteur de son coeur

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Nobody in history have the Dylan's brain....

[@fredlibby8518]

neither could he,

[@albertmillus5626]

Maybe Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, just to name a few. I offer this as a big Dylan fan.

[@dearbh1736]

I was a speech and drama teacher for years. My senior students, studying to become teachers in their own right, had to deliver 3 monologues from plays in their oral exams as well as 3 poems and sight reading from a novel. One time I took a chance with a brilliant student and gave her this song to recite (technically called 'speaking') as one of her poems. I was stretching the rules but to me, this represented such an incredible piece of poetic literature it was worth it. It wasn't easy as so much of the meaning is connected to the nuances of the music, the singing. She ended up with the highest marks of any student I ever coached and when I spoke to the examiner later she told me that the student's spoken rendition of Desolation Row was the most outstanding 'poetry' she had ever heard in many years as an examiner. As an examiner myself, I really wasn't surprised, but I was delighted and that girl went on to great things indeed. I love to think that Bob played a part in that, particularly because of this song which is a masterpiece of music and literature and I absolutely love it and could listen to it over and over and each time hear something new. Dylan is truly deserving of all the accolades, awards and admiration that he gets. We are so lucky to have him in our lives.

[@fredlibby8518]

You are a good teacher!

[@dearbh1736]

@@fredlibby8518 I'm retired now but thank you. That student was particularly gifted which made the decision easier for me. I knew she would be able to deliver on it perfectly and she did. Not to take away from the many, many really talented young people I worked with but every now and then a true natural would come my way and you would know from the moment you met them. This student was like that.

[@jacquismith3277]

Bravo! That is a fantastic story. Well done Bob, you and the student! ❤❤❤

[@madhubansingh2670]

Your comment shows the most perfect, the most genuine, the most deserving justice that anyone can do with the words for a bohemian legend like Bob Dylan. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story! Breaks my heart and uplifts my heart. And our Bob Dylan is still with us on this planet. What a man. What a body of work. What a time to be alive. Wishing him a long long life! I am not religious but my heart is praying for Bob Dylan and his health.

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Nobody can write this except Dylan....

[@tonyarmstrong5536]

I absolutely love this song. I think it's in my top two hundred Dylan songs.

[@tweetitweet9486]

I would put it in my Top 10!

[@bobux1987]

😅😅😅 it is easily in the top 14 million songs of all time.

[@whiteline4023]

I mean unless you’re Anthony Fantano that’s kinda low😅

[@puri6546]

Mine too ❤

[@drewkampion106]

Ditto.

[@Followerofthekingofkings1969]

I love this song so much , 😢😢😢😢

[@danielmcinnes20]

Best Song writer of ALL TIME!

[@marieboutin9054]

This song is a jewel. Such melody and poetry. Such imagination. Astouding !

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

Amen Brother.

[@terrydavidson5052]

and amen to you

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Nothing like it before or after! Very, very deep!

[@ksb994]

No one else on the planet has ever written a song like this. He takes us all the way to the abyss and yet at the end you feel uplifted. Unbelievable!

[@ChristinaFromYoutube]

This is my favorite poem ever

[@noi000]

Well said!

[@kevinjoseph517]

AND HE WAS HOW OLD? 24? 25?

[@vivlee3840]

Absolutely!

[@vivlee3840]

​@@kevinjoseph517That's incredible..

[@williamwilkinson9881]

I'm 68 years old, this was the background music of my youth...the world seemed so much brighter then.

[@larrylinn8589]

I first heard Desolation Row on the radio back in 1965. It has haunted me with pleasure ever since then.

[@geoffreysutton9944]

I,m,with you dude,i was born in 1952 and wil never forget the 60,s in So Cal.LaterBill!

[@Bellavanacoffee]

My own pops would be that age. He raised me on good music such as Bob Dylan. I thank him for that. Still hopeful here!

[@dragmyre]

I B 71 Y/O

[@OldHeathen1963]

Take heart...it's always been this way! Have faith, in the long run it's getting better, though you and I may not live long enough to experience it.

[@RickyMacHatton]

At this moment in time, Bob Dylan had the perfect voice for the songs he wrote. I wouldn’t want anyone else singing them

[@ericdidom6763]

I've always thought exactly the same thing. In my opinion in "Desolation row" and "Positevely 4th street" he show the best voice (of his entire career, I mean). The only thing I could object to you is about the fact that he "had": I've some doubts about the verb as I'm sure that from the '62 to the '66 he had the same voice but he decided to change his singing style on purpose from one album to another one. Only around the early '70s he actually changed voice. Speaking specifically about Dylan, one thing is the voice in his physiological evolution, another one is the way he decided to use it. He had a sort of complex about his voice, or at least this what it seems to me.

[@m3gahurtz]

cof... my chemical romance... cof...

[@jurademonteboo3166]

Czech senior rocker Omdřej Hejma sung cover in Czech of this one. His translation is almost exact but it looks like real picture of EU. Dylan's lyrics is visionary job.

[@jessehussey-yeo2435]

You haven’t heard me sing em 😉

[@jessehussey-yeo2435]

@@m3gahurtz yeah MCR do it well.

[@MagX808]

This is just one of many reasons why Bob Dylan is the voice of a generation.

[@t.c.bramblett617]

and of all generations.

[@fredlibby8518]

voice of the universe

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

Century

[@God0Mighty1]

Out of "voice of the universe", and "voice of the century", from the other comments, for my favorite, I'm going with "voice of the universe" because it sounds funnier.

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

@@God0Mighty1 Lennon was already the voice of the universe. He wrote Across the Universe. 😄

[@Chapps1941]

This is my favourite Dylan song apart from 95 others

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Best Dylan Song Is Like a Rolling....but this Is the second One probably

[@fredlibby8518]

lol

[@Chapps1941]

How can you be sure ​@@Edoardo-mo7rg

[@clausderenda5777]

The best Dylan song: Always the one you're listening to at the moment!

[@matthewrichmond4139]

Visions of Johanna live 66 version for me, but this is up there. The guitar by Charlie McCoy who only improvised deserves a Grammy on this alone.

[@Globalrapture]

DYLAN POET, PROPHET, GENIUS, MASTERMIND......

[@pauldaly2947]

Anyone who says Bob Dylan can't sing? Just listen to the way he pronounces every word in this song! To me it's the crisp way he attacks each word and nails it almost every time - that to me is singing on an other level! That's Dylan! Understanding the weight of a word in a line and making it the be all and end all! That commitment to a word/sound! That's real genius...

[@johnenglish929]

His voice has had a special quality throughout his career but I think that, vocally, he was at his best between Bringing it all Back Home and Highway61

[@marleneedmunds1433]

His expression is u believable a real storyteller

[@marcosgomes7681]

Taylor Swift can sing ,Dylan don't 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@marcosgomes7681]

Some people are real Jerk's with no taste on nothing at all, Dylan forever

[@fredlibby8518]

universal level only Bob can do, thanks for saying that

[@galenjones]

The best song ever written with the best voice for it. The master himself.

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Bob also wrote Like a Rolling....

[@dbh931]

@@Edoardo-mo7rg Blowing in the Wind and many others.

[@carmelcrowley158]

Someone is changing the lyrics, between the windows , ha ha.

[@carmelcrowley158]

No more letters not unless desolation row.

[@carmelcrowley158]

Ah ah

[@therapyinyoursleep6317]

I think Desolation Row is the greatest song ever written in human history. Everything about it is spot-on perfect: the alliteration and assonance in the poetry, the allusions, the images.... "then they'll kill him with self-confidence after poisoning him with words..." The lines just deliver technique after technique.... it functions on so many levels. And then the delivery.... so steady. I've been a Dylan fan my whole life, and this song.... I am in awe every single time I hear it. Definitely Shakespeare of our time.

[@martinboersma763]

The beauty parlour filed with sailors . . . . . .it blows me over all the time 🤟🏻

[@darlenealessio7609]

Hattie Carrol is an amazing song

[@allinsondixon8224]

If he wrote only this 1 song he would still have written the greatest song /story ,ever written ,this and cash's when the man comes around are what it's all about

[@helenclare1207]

Agree.

[@immortalserito774]

@@helenclare1207 agree too. took me almost 30 years of listening to classic rock and Dylan to get around to this. Wow, one year plus, listening to this and still fresh every time.

[@ebrahimarayesh4723]

Bob dylan is matchless.

[@thereisnospoon52]

You are so right. I met him backstage once and I asked him for a light and he said he didn't have any matches.

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

​@@thereisnospoon52Alrighty Then.

[@tamsmith6751]

Bob is way past a musical genius he totally deserved the noble prize

[@martinluke9470]

Agree. He once said at a poets meeting in New York introducing Leonard Cohen to a friend, "Now let me introduce you to a REAL poet". LC should also have recieved the Nobel. Both are top of my list.

[@georgemorenstein]

Yeah, what's so hard about writing books without pictures anyways?

[@KOZUR_BAYAN]

​@@georgemorensteinWrite it like that)

[@Lumalnatti11]

I'm sure he knows it's a joke and no one truly deserves that prize since nobility is simply inherent, peace merely means chaos and love solely means war to givers of prizes

[@georgemorenstein]

@@Lumalnatti11 love hurls chunks then? I knew it!

[@martinluke9470]

The best ballad EVER written.

[@edharbas4828]

Nothing quite like being spoilt for choice with a Bob Dylan song. Songs for occasions, just as Desolation Row might make me cry, Visions of Johanna might've been an appropriate guide to digest acid with - all those years ago.

[@Namdor2012]

What a mountain of a song...It's Bob's world we are just paying rent....

[@chisciana]

I'm 59 years old and today I heard this song for the first time... Every day of our life can be wonderful

[@lesliecolonello9320]

The thing with Bob Dylan is that you hear something different every time you play him

[@gladyssellar6408]

What you been doing all your music listening life , I was 16 when I popped it 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤔

[@yvonnewebb4867]

What took you so long? 😉

[@craigkandell6504]

i was naive to this masterpiece until i saw (and snared the cd/dvd of) BDs MTV unplugged! along with Memphis, Tangled, Lily, and IYSHSH, those are my BD default songs ... cheers

[@steveson2575]

59 years on desolation row must not have been so wonderful

[@Travis-Outlaw]

Discovering Bob Dylan for the first time is a beautiful thing. I've only been listening to him for 25 years, and my love for his music continues to grow. Respect to the legend himself. Love from the year 2024

[@jackielongmire9247]

Listening all day to playlist from KZbin and it could not be better while I wrap gifts and make candy. The saddest is that my husband died 8 years ago after 51 years of christmas together. Our Anniversary is Dec. 24, 1996 and we saw Bob Dylan in the summer of 1995 in Knoxville. He loved music and Bob Dylan is an important part of our celebrations. I miss my husband but I love having his music to keep me company. I am 79 so not too long and I can be with him again. Love you John.🙏❤️🎄

[@alanwright3430]

❤❤❤

[@lillyschuler9048]

What a heartbreaking and yet beautiful comment. So sorry for your loss.

[@KristineEstes-zq8jo]

76 here Scars In Heaven sung by Casting Crowns I'm looking forward to our better Life myself

[@markrichardson8941]

I nominate Bob Dylan for best songwriter of the 20th century .

[@markrichardson8941]

'cause damn it , your songs take me to another place . The lyrics paint pictures in my mind and take me on a journey of memories and present moments and stir my emotions and my imagination . Thank you Bob for such amazing music .

[@ksb994]

What about the 21st too?

[@Alex_Mitchell]

I think winning a Nobel prize pretty much covered that.

[@Chapps1941]

​@@ksb994I reckon he'd be already up there

[@chet4432]

I'd say yes to your 20th century, agree with the other dude's 21st century, then would pose the question... Is he the best ever?

[@ChristianDoig]

This song alone deserved the Nobel Prize.

[@dragmyre]

DUH,ya think?

[@rogertopp3551]

Big time

[@michaelspadevicchia6431]

is bob too old to run for president ? he would supercede the orange people hater we hae now

[@kyleshiflet9952]

@@michaelspadevicchia6431 yes he would America needs a Bernie Sanders in office not a bigot Cheeto in office

[@Marco85989]

Absolutely yes

[@Christine-yh8hq]

Why does this song make me cry? The light shines bright on Robert (Zimmerman) Dylan

[@ergbudster3333]

Something that people never mention is that Bob Dylan had/has such incredible timing. It's not just the lyrics, it's how he articulates them. The rhythm is amazing. No matter how obscure and private the lyric might be the timing makes it soar.

[@joemarshall4226]

He's an actor. He is living the sadness for us, just like Jack Nicholson, Brando, Olivier, Meryl Streep, or any other great actor.......it starts with the HEART

[@holliroll8789]

Agreed

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

Is the Holocaust implied in this song? Bob was born smack bang in the middle of it, 1941

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@@joemarshall4226 Is this song in a sense an extention of Tambourine Man from the previous album? I think Al Kooper is right about where Des Row was/is in NYC. Bob should elaborate in Pt.2 of his autobiography to put us out of our misery. But we know he won't.

[@joemarshall4226]

@@joefairweatherblues8511 Where did Kooper say it was?

[@julieberkowitz2750]

Madly in love with Bob Dylan

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

Alrighty Then.

[@wormrose01]

I'm 76 and I sing this to myself driving down the highway when my wife falls asleep and I'm alone. Love you Bob.

[@keithpittell3944]

",,, They're sellin' postcards... of the hangin'..."

[@mikebolding1145]

I'm just the same at 74, he makes me so nostalgic on my younger ( much) days

[@wimvondenbergh5345]

Just turned 73 and this song still keeps me from going bangle nuts...

[@conorkennedy3304]

don't drive off the highway sir

[@rickdicl]

sing it man

[@macmccreadie8541]

I am 83 .still teaching English in Argentina ....this song part of what I teach.

[@NoelRayland]

That sounds like an interesting course.

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

Awesome 👍

[@pi198273]

Sos es un genio, saludos!!

[@stevebower2178]

I listened to this in 1966 when I was 16 i am now 72 and still listening brilliant

[@BarryScowen-c6k]

I was 20 then it’s still a great song.

[@michaelfreiwald5236]

Me too! I was 16 and it changed my life outlook (I’m 71 this year)

[@jakobbergen7574]

Me too

[@barbaraelizabethlewis]

Me too

[@karenknight5841]

@@stevebower2178 me too!!

[@marywatkins6798]

My favorite Dylan song. Everything is perfect: oblique but intriguing lyrics; Bob's vocal delivery; the guitar of Charlie McCoy; the rhythm; the format of traditional story folk songs. It's a masterpiece.

[@maniacodosabredeluz4747]

This one is my favorite too.

[@charlesking3763]

McCoy's guitar is wonderful!

[@fredlibby8518]

t's a masterpiece x 10

[@kerryla327]

Mary Bonjour from New Zealand , yeah in the 1965 release was not really all that attractive to us but now today 2022 Desolation Row becomes far more relevant Dylan the visionary its like all genius they become recognised after their passage .

[@frankmcgourty2526]

About time.someone.mentioned the.guiyar of.charlie.mc coy....sublime. Trivia....it's reputed he got the idea from marty Robbins' guitarist on El Paso

[@tinocostaras35]

Worthy of the Nobel prize.

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Einstein disguised in Robin Hood? Really?

[@johopeweisz]

@@Edoardo-mo7rg It's art - if you don't get it - no problem. I, personally don't get Picasso - but why would I deny him being most likely the most important painter of twentieth century.

[@bwsdotaku5620]

I’m 17 and this has to be one of the most profound works of art I have experienced in my few short years of living

[@fredlibby8518]

ha I'M 75

[@seanmartin4062]

WOW I’ve been listening to this song for 30 years Right now today I’ve decided it’s my favourite song of all time It was fake plastic trees from mid 90s until today

[@Edoardo-mo7rg]

Blonde on Blonde....listen

[@danielegrifoni7247]

You are growing well!​@@fredlibby8518

[@darbycrash4802]

I'm 56 and this has to be one of the most profound works of art I have experienced in my few short years of living!

[@TheEnriquemM]

Bob Dylan had the right voice for his songs

[@Driecnk]

Don't tell that to the haters

[@jessep3079]

My father, best friend and Idol is going into surgery for a massive stroke now. This was a song he likes and I just wanted to say I will always love him. I love you dad.

[@jessep3079]

The surgery was successful, but we still have to see what happens.

[@jessep3079]

Its the end. I got to talk to him, and he knows I love him.

[@mousetreehouse6833]

j-moneyP so sorry for your loss, but glad that you got to communicate your feelings at the end. I hope this song gives you many good memories...

[@davidpearn2484]

J money p I'm also sad for your loss ,remember the good times God bless

[@uttfan]

I love you my friend.

[@burkhardschrader7854]

For me, Desolation Row, is one of Bob´s greatest masterpieces.

[@monicabella7894]

Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands is his MASTERPIECE.

[@dennisg.582]

The best to me is....Temporary, like Achilles

[@mormoonimikko]

4 me 2

[@jorgburmeister8202]

Richtig

[@TatrixTharna]

Brownsville Girl a true masterpiece

[@carstenvilladsen6159]

Being 66 today with loads of life experience and listening to Bob since 1968, I'm telling everybody that if you want to know what life's about you have to do just three things: 1/ Listen well to Desolation Row, 2/ Listen well to "Heartattack and Vine" by Tom Waits and 3/ Read "Ulysses" by James Joyce. Do this, and you'll be awfully well oriented.

[@gdpcpa]

Just as a side note....Dylan's harmonica playing is phenomenal, original, and unique....as much a signature as his voice.

[@halleykenyon8992]

I agree. I always thought so.

[@tonycraig7212]

Sorry, I have to disagree. Dylan and Kris Kristofferson are two of the best songwriters, singers and performers of our lifetime. Their talent is timeless and unmatched. Except in harmonica playing. They both have the same harmonica style. They just blow in and out with no bending notes etc. that you see with the true blues harmonica professionals. However as I said, they are (apart from their harmonica playing) two of the best artists of our lifetime

[@fredlibby8518]

ya think? lol

[@gerardoleary9606]

@@tonycraig7212 I think at time's he can be a bit lazy. But have you listened to Mr tambourine man live in 66? Very jazz like, notes drift and float, creating a dreamlike atmosphere, try to listen to the Glasgow or Newcastle concerts, or perhaps what can I do for you live in 80, every grain of sand has lovely playing as does moonshiner . The harmonica playing on all along the watchtower, is quite stark and adds to the tension in the song. The bending of notes, either by drawing or over blowing, is not that easy to do on a harmonica in a brace around your neck. He recorded harmonica for several artist before he himself was ever signed, Hester, Joe Williams and belafonte come to mind. His not just blowing in and out on those recordings. I think fans overreact to his playing though, seen them go nuts when he blows a few notes. His good, but as I said I think he gets lazy, same with his guitar playing.

[@robertclark3925]

What voice

[@benfarrelly4596]

This becomes hypnotic after a few minutes. Complete masterpiece of a song

[@robdepolo122]

Earlier than a few minutes. :)

[@hiway52]

Yes! With music, there's often a fine line between being hypnotic and just plain repetitious... This song nails that hypnotic vibe for sure-

[@rafaelandrade7627]

Many dylan songs feel hypnotic. "Sad eyed lady..." is another one, at least for me.

[@michaelspadevicchia6431]

there he goes again amazing magical lyricist

[@mem4730]

Mostly because of Charlie McCoy guitar fills

[@ardalla535]

One can argue who is the 2nd and 3rd best songwriter of the last century. But for the top spot, no one is even close to Dylan, both in quality and quantity

[@godfather53]

Indeed

[@mikhakayla9826]

Based on rolling stone magazine no 2 is McCartney and third place is Lennon.

[@kenkaplan3654]

Later Leonard Cohen is close to early Dylan in lyrical genius, social commentary, musical arrangement, cultural depth and existential awareness. Dylan is ahead but Cohen was remarkable..

[@kforlenza8]

Robert Hunter

[@dannymoulton4829]

@@mikhakayla9826 Lennon is easily number 2 IMO. Lennon is the greatest rocker and most iconic figure of the 20th Century and Dylan is the greatest artist, IMO.

[@david-pb4bi]

This song is a life changer.

[@carlygrayson956]

I don't care what anyone says, Bob's voice is perfect.

[@francorubuano2820]

Yes it is

[@soopurple4710]

True. Only matched by Neil Young.

[@jesusbuddhacultcom8130]

I wouldn’t let him sing in a pub band

[@paulsolon6229]

You care enough to say you don’t care

[@yamapenny5960]

His voice ist just perfekt💞 I could not think about another sound or expression...

[@lcopywriter5102]

Nobel Prize well deserved for this one alone.

[@joycefolsom130]

Bob Dylan is the best....

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here.

[@LionSnake61]

"Highway 61 Revisited" is really the best album of all time !

[@DJmemoriesPlaylists]

Agree! Bought it a week after it was released. At this point I'm sure I've listened to the entire album at least 1000 times. My favorite album! ✌️🎶

[@evgeniytsarkov5679]

They say, Pet Sounds...

[@Chapps1941]

​@@evgeniytsarkov5679the only competition Dylan has is about another 9 albums; his own albums. _"Pet Sounds"_ is up there in the Top 100; probably 97th

[@jdelacruz14791]

​@@Chapps1941 My personal favorite album would be Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, it has so many talents in it. Fun fact, Bob Dylan is actually one of them

[@Chapps1941]

@@jdelacruz14791 one of the TWs. 😱, l didn't know

[@dianeriley7247]

This song is like being in a Fellini movie. Dylan is such a great story teller.

[@ferociousgumby]

I love that Spanish conquistador/panther padding along sound to it. A little bit predatory.

[@helenegollneschinkler8879]

Your are thee one

[@angelodiberardino9498]

Ma'am you found the words I was looking for. Yes, it's totally like a movie from Fellini.

[@mark1952able]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqLWi6aco5uDeZY

[@antoniopodesta8738]

It seems like he was out of his mind when writing this song. Nobody understands the lyrics.

[@panagiotisp8131]

If bob dylan recorded only this song in his entire career he still would be the greatest artist ever

[@GD-me2lv]

@LineRat 86 Are you new to you tube?🤣

[@themanwnoname3454]

Panagiotis Pavlakellis 2019 “Respect and dignity.” Furthermore: (“Respect and dignity!”)

[@mikerhodes6906]

I think we are kindred spirits good night my friend

[@donnapatterson302]

This is one of his best!

[@niallmacceide4603]

I dunno. Sugar sugar by the Archies is possibly better.

[@billlloyd4029]

Some love for Charlie McCoy's lead acoustic guitar, please. Adds so much...

[@richardburkholder5949]

Thank you for letting me know who that was. I've heard it a hundred times and aside from the perfection of the piece itself on a better stereo that sleeper component suddenly stands out. Wonderful.

[@generaljj577]

McCoy was a multi instrumental genius.

[@theron1313]

There are many versions of this song (i love all the Grateful Dead versions) but this one with Charlie McCoys hits all the chords

[@zfaiithless4789]

Best version in my book

[@ordinarychap1085]

Some love for Marty Robbins guitarist, too: McCoy was enamoured with the picking on that song "El Paso" and hence....

[@davidharris6510]

At the time of this album's release, Bob Dylan became arguably the coolest guy on the planet.

[@tim1878]

The greatest poem of the 20th Century, and the greatest harmonica solo of all time.

[@nikkyray3558]

Couldn't have said it better.

[@alexanderfretheim5720]

"Heart of Gold" (Neil Young) might give it a run for its money on the harmonica solo.

[@hoodlum66681]

Correct !

[@yogimama974]

...one of them!

[@tommysheehy5198]

Well said spot on

[@bendrescher7185]

“Between the windows of the sea where lovely mermaids flow, and nobody has to think too much about Desolation Row” Beautiful.

[@williamdougan9769]

So sad that the powers that be outlawed lsd october 6, 1966.

[@carliereed3881]

May the farce remain enigmatic. Have a cassette I recorded from the vinyl back then. It ends abruptly at, "...nobody has to think too much..."

[@wheatiewheatfieldsoul9484]

Puts her hands into her back pockets Bette Davis style

[@toadyuk8391]

This is of course like most of the song a reference to the wasteland by t.s.Eliot from which Bob borrowed a chunk of imagery. The mermaids are a callback to the pleasant sound of mandolins from fisherman (the only pleasant part of the wasteland). Of course we know this is true as t.s.Eliot and Esra pound are indeed referenced in this song. Fighting in the captains tower. The wasteland is indeed an incredible poem and you can spend a lifetime unpacking it. Likewise this song is indeed a force to be reckoned with, the imagery is on point and how one man could have created so much amazing music and words in such a short time we will never know. When I think about it, it’s often quite incredible how perceptive and timeless young creators in twentieth century are. Perhaps as you get older you lose that rash certainty of youth and just don’t feel the ability to take such risks. Whatever Dylan is now or may have been and he is definitely a man with many demons and many faults - you can never take this period away from him. Freewheelin, revisited, bringing it and Bob (blonde on blonde) are just amazing. I’ve only just now got blonde on blonde, never realised that the initials spell Bob (duhh).

[@michaelpaccione3324]

To look into the eyes of the tambourine man....

[@jeffreysmith5535]

This is, simply put, one of the greatest songs ever written.

[@Christine-yh8hq]

One of a kind. No one will come close in voice, style, music and the pure genius of the lyrics of Bob Dylan. NOT EVER

[@williamhannon6055]

The greatest songwriting of all time

[@Kings_Crossing]

This is one of those few rare songs, where it feels like the person singing just saw the big picture somehow, and is aware of everything. I don't know, maybe it's just me but I feel like the symbolism and analogies in this song can apply to alot of things even today.

[@marydavenport782]

I have long wished to paint this song...a mural.

[@fredlibby8518]

Yes. the language is universal.

[@darlenealessio7609]

Absolutely a visionist

[@celularvm1016]

@@marydavenport782 z1z1zzzzzzzz1z1☺😣😣😣😣☺--1-😣-1-----1😣😣😣☺☺😣

[@ClarenceHW]

Great observation KC This is what you could write after stepping all the way back. It also reminds me of his early Woody Guthrie influence... the lyrics more expansive and poignant.

[@melthoidserendipity1332]

The only flaw in this song is that it doesn't go for another eleven minutes. Incredible.

[@kevin_lee_music]

Holy shit you just made me realize it's 11 minutes

[@tonyd3166]

or another 11

[@ALLEYOOP77]

It will if you put the reel to reel tape on continuous play.

[@pabloperez4063]

@@ALLEYOOP77 thats what I do !!!

[@elifonkonsolakis2521]

many want more and uncle Bob would have given more, if only half of the world, out of reasons worth exploring, hadn't broken his titanium spirits with a HUGE emotion war during his tours of this masterpieces, through booings, tomatoes on stage, slandering reviews and what not - it's all documented, albeit not fully explained

[@curlykipper]

that second guitar...masterful playing

[@momo_genX]

After hearing this play upstairs when I was 17 by my father, I was the one in a trance. The next two paychecks I bought 18 CD's and a medium quality guitar. Four years later I got a Highway 61 tattoo on my arm. He was that much of an inspiration.

[@rohan-qd6py]

first impressions for our generation....Needle on the LP first notes, a trance, a smoke, a group, love in the air...DYLAN IN OUR HEADS....

[@matt.willoughby]

Tattoo?? How original

[@momo_genX]

@@matt.willoughby your troll powers are extraordinarily weak. You can not troll a semi-troll. You will get runt over my the semi every time

[@matt.willoughby]

@@momo_genX I'm not trolling you at all, just making a statement of fact. 👍 Good day

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

@@momo_genX No one but those in the navy, sincere dykes and truckers should ever get ink. They were a bore by the early 90s.

[@andrewbush9330]

Can’t express how much Dylan’s music has meant to me. I’m getting old but the music is as fresh as ever. Thanks Bob.

[@waynejohanson1083]

His music has gotten me through life.

[@stewartswick3744]

Same here, same vintage!

[@colbylind2529]

of course!

[@rickrogers8003]

I'm nearing 72, had a new lady ask me about a year ago how / where I got my maturity. I told her if in fact I had much, it came from listening to music. Didn't say Bob specifically, but his BEYOND INCREDIBLE output would easily account for at least 85% of my lifetime learning via musical acts from ALL genres. To call it ASTOUNDING is even inadquate, AND as innumerable others have written here, I NEVER tire of listening to it. Wish I could offer more than thanks Mr. Zimmerman.

[@hermiley7590]

Thanks with you!

[@cosmictrigger9]

When I was a teacher I introduced my students to Dylan as a great American poet & especially used this song for its magnificent symbolism. He is a real genius with lyrics - his references are unbelievable!

[@ralphherman2122]

..... before the Beatles smoked pot...

[@bobfleming7665]

You have lucky students

[@bruno_silva-y9y]

I whish I had a teacher like you

[@bruno_silva-y9y]

And you can gimme a lesson anytime!

[@martinabend1537]

I'm also an English teacher, and I have discussed quite a few Dylan songs in my career. I have never had the courage to try this one though.

[@georgec7199]

How in the world can one man continually write such music? It's as though someone in the heavens is helping him. Shere brilliance.

[@klausbuttenhauser3178]

I would rather ask how is someone (Bob) capable to write these lyrics? The Chords are not the prob/issue

[@georgec7199]

When I said music, I meant the overall work of music and lyrics. Not surprisingly an amazing piece of work.

[@benmeltzer]

speed

[@indiesongwriter5474]

Songs like these are these massive ideas that roll in like a storm, and almost ask to be written by any who have the antenna to transmit their frequencies. And maybe "Desolation Row" in some shape or form, the skeleton of a concept - is in a million other realities, but in this corner of the universe Bob Dylan is the only bard who could have brought it to life. And that makes me feel grateful to be here now.

[@goodgrief2884]

I want Bob Dylan playing when I am taking my last breaths so that memories of my youth & best friends are with me when I go.

[@billgonzales8978]

me too good grief, in 1967 I was 18 years old getting drafted just like everyone else hearing Bob dylan back the and yes I made it still listening to our master of the times

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Consider it done!

[@joemarshall4226]

My older borther died at 58, and was waked in his favorite beat-up polo shirt and jeans, and had Dylan playing at the wake the whole time....as per his instructions.

[@jamesorrock8897]

Bob would want you to get right with Almighty God as you were taking your last breath.

[@joaquinmurrieta1272]

Shit yah!!

[@zacatecas2002]

Happy 80th birthday, Bob! I hope this finds you well wherever you’re at. Thank you for all the amazing music you’ve given us.

[@thomasdearment3214]

sober or stoned I'll always stop to listen to him, spent many a nights God bless Bob Dylan

[@timothyjones74]

This is one of his best. One of many great “songs”. So much more than a song.❤

[@larrytalbott700]

What amazes me is that this was recorded in one take!

[@jurgennaeve3897]

Highway 61 will be one of my Top 10 LPs forever" Desolation Row" alone should get the Nobel Prize!

[@terrywaltman2520]

Aeesome

[@terrywaltman2520]

Awesome

[@johnenglish929]

Charlie McCoy : 11+ minutes of sheer perfection. Not a note or phrase could be bettered.

[@nuqwestr]

Charlie McCoy was invited in and improvised the overdub, vocal track already laid down, McCoy in a recent interview said he was thinking of bluegrass dobro player Grady Martin while laying his part down.

[@johnenglish929]

@@nuqwestr That’s interesting- it is not the obvious comparison !

[@robinnicholas7867]

I’m 108 and still sing this at the care home

[@hilmarblumberg5666]

Your have my fathomless admiration . . .

[@siriosstar4789]

wow. My mom will be 100 soon and has never even heard this song . pity . Everyone should experience the mind freeing music of dylan if only once .

[@beawright6508]

legend

[@marionferran7732]

Good for you good music travels well

[@marionferran7732]

What is your favourite bob dylan song ? mines is desolation row listening at the moment it makes for the start of a good day

[@toddnute2403]

I memorized every line in this song long along ago. I can whistle all the harmonica parts note for note. When I do, it makes tears come into my eyes. One of the greatest songs ever written, maybe the greatest. Amazing!

[@lawrencewestby9229]

I've listened to this song enough times that I can sing along with it but I couldn't just recite the lyrics.

[@francoishynes7739]

I agree. I picked up a Guitar and dual harmonica w/holder after hearing this song at 14 yo and never looked back. I think he was 22 when he composed this Masterpiece - great studio musicians also. Song done in 1 take! And the lead guitarist was to be the piano player who was late and thus history was made!

[@richardwhitfill5253]

I also used to memorize Dylans' lyrics . In 1966.

[@tony22745]

I've been searching for a tab of the harmonica parts for a couple months now, - you couldn't help could you?

[@carltweedale3611]

@@francoishynes7739 loop

[@grahammcandrew3908]

Such a brilliant song-Dylan at his wittiest, lyrical best. It's simply a masterpiece.

[@wheatiewheatfieldsoul9484]

Roger that!

[@GD-rd6ig]

10-4

[@thisisme3238]

Over and out

[@46514651]

👍

[@annalisavajda252]

It's bleak though too like most of the album "because the cops don't need you and man they expect the same" type sentiments cynical but digestible.

[@LindseyGlasman]

60 years now I've been listening to this man. Feels like we know each other so well, but at the same time he's a complete enigma to me.

[@johnslaviero2080]

Incredible guitar playing, outstanding

[@charlesdavissr.3861]

That's Charlie McCoy playing the real melodic acoustic lead phrases backing Dylan's rhythm playing...I think it's one of the best acoustic playing in music history...🌹🦅🎸🎶

[@BiggDannyC]

@@charlesdavissr.3861 It's as if the same divine entity wrote the words, sang the song, strummed the chords and played the notes on that guitar, then the harmonica to drive it all home. A work for the ages.

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

Bob and Charlie, What a Team they were.

[@alanvallazza9781]

Congrats on Dylan turning 80 this May. He changed music forever. Iconic artist.

[@lukemarks9193]

A beautiful accomplishment on the road of it all. May not have seen him explode onto the scene at 20 or 30, and so on, but we shouldn’t let the quiet accomplishment of 80 for a man like this go by without a moment of silence and a moment of noise. Congrats.

[@billgonzales8978]

Bob the Master.

[@andersolsson5744]

He should run for President next time, he got God on his side❤️

[@edoardodallara1810]

@@andersolsson5744 since he was born

[@MrCretemaniam]

I've been a Dylan devotee for 55 years. Of all of his masterpieces I think this one might be the best. If there is a best.

[@brucegatten305]

Without doubt !

[@cavdragoon]

No doubt that this a poetic masterpiece. Yet I struggle which I prefer better. I would say I hold both this and Tangled Up In Blue in equal standing. Both brilliant.

[@jerryshunk7152]

The acoustic accompaniment is celestial icing on the universe poetry !

[@roberthoffman1793]

Very cool song - Gotta Serve Somebody holds court I think😎☮

[@garylindsay34]

Stuck inside of Mobile, Brownsville Girls and Hurricane along with Idiot Wind were also major achievements. I could list another 20. All equally masterful. Like a reincarnation of Van Gough.

[@billymeola896]

Greatest of all time... America songwriter

[@RaymondTaylor-yw5zr]

To Never Be Outdone!!

[@BlandMarkComedy]

I want to write a serious deep message, but I'm drunk. This is a fantastic song. That's all there is to it. It's fantastic!

[@kelvinbolton9395]

Fukin A dude...... Always my go to poet..... If you don't understand Dylan I can't explain him....

[@hoodlum66681]

👍✌🙏

[@morristonian]

Pretty much sums it up...now move onto Love Minus Zero, Mr Tambourine Man and just keep going.. Say hello to Hurricane, Not Dark Yet and Blind Willie McTell on your wondrous journey.

[@דניאלגאני]

Lol

[@phineascampbell3103]

Yeah, but what are your political views?! Whatever they are, I rudely disagree with them... Lol

[@retsdon]

Songs just don't get any better than this.

[@fredlibby8518]

@@retsdon ha just find the fuckn thing

[@fredlibby8518]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqDGnod7lK9md8U

[@CipherSerpico]

In my opinion, these are the Greatest Lyrics ever written. There are just so many things to admire. The imagery, the symbolism, the allegories, the storytelling, the ambiguity, the emotion, the technique …. You can listen to it over and over and never stop finding new things to think about. Also, you can tell that Don McLean’s “American Pie” was heavily influenced by this. Both songs are an allegorical retelling of their era.

[@chrisjohnson-us3bo]

BRAVO the greatest ever. This was always a proclamation of the incomprehensible, but after 50 years its stark message does not fade.

[@BiggDannyC]

If Bob Dylan tasked himself to rewrite this song and update the lyrics to fit today's realities, he wouldn't change a word.

[@alias2364-t9y]

You could get a Nobel Prize for Literature just for performing this piece alone.

[@mjrotondi5086]

Itsall FIXED.

[@user-vt4hd8hb4v]

@@mjrotondi5086 u saying Bob shouldn't of gotten the Nobel prize?

[@freewheelinQ]

*you SHOULD

[@paulgutter4677]

@mjRotondi is probably referring to the film ‘Watchmen’ in which this song is covered by My Chemical Romance...

[@MrYorickJenkins]

That says more about the nobel Prize for Literature than the song writer

[@evancodsworth2]

Damn some Dylan songs are so lyrically vast that it’s hard to believe a guy in his twenties wrote it.

[@mark1952able]

I can't imagine being in my 20's and having that much insight and awareness of everything he was into. AMAZING!

[@HelianaSuper]

Bob Dylan has a enlightened mind, heart and soul. Only He could write all his unforgeteble songs.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

all the best music were done by guys in their twenties

[@HelianaSuper]

@@cultfilmfreakreviews This isn't an absolute rule, Fred...

[@HelianaSuper]

@@cultfilmfreakreviews When we are young, we are movied by dreams, hope, vitality, and, in some cases, by the instint of superiority and rightness about the world... Obviously, this guy have a highier spirit.

[@44thenazz]

This was the first song that hit me...and I "Got" Dylan.

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

Im only 70 but love Bob Dylans music. I started collecting his albums in my early teens. This album and blood on the tracks are two of my favourites. I've seen him live a great deal and even named my son Dylan 😮

[@klausbuttenhauser3178]

hard to meet the level (of whatever) from Bob Dylan

[@lpslover8627]

I wasn't born until 1981, but Dylan is the king!Blessed to have seen him in concert, but wish I couldve seen him in his younger days.

[@dougmackenzie5976]

I was super fortunate to get to see Bob in '62, in our living room! He came to Schenectady, NY for one of his first gigs outside of NYC, at the San Remo Cafe. My brother was apprenticed to Joe Alper, the great photographer, where Bob and Suze were to stay. My brother was there when they arrived and Bob and my brother hit it off. They remain friends to this day, though I don't know when was the last time Bob called my brother. Been at least a decade, I think. But, those early days were something else! Bob played for our family a number of times when he stayed with us, or had dinner with us.

[@GrantAnderson-p6v]

I saw him before you were born .... he's the absolute best poet of all time....just one old educated man's opinion

[@dougmackenzie5976]

@@GrantAnderson-p6v, sorry, you didn't see him before I was born, sonny.

[@edharbas4828]

At 75 so do I.

[@dougmackenzie5976]

@@GrantAnderson-p6v, please take your delusional insanity somewhere else.

[@wormsandmushrooms]

I came here as soon as I discovered that the MCR cover was not the original. I'd heard of Bob Dylan before, but this is the first time I've ever heard him. not disappointed.

[@daniyalnaqvi2569]

Keep discovering him and you will be thankful for the moment you heard him. You are in for a wonderful ride.

[@morriskiihnl6826]

be careful, bob will change you

[@wormsandmushrooms]

@@morriskiihnl6826 noted, thanks

[@roshakasravi1989]

GOD BLESS BD

[@roshakasravi1989]

..you must be young ... thats OK. U were led here. Time is on ypur side. YOU FOUND THE MASTER

[@dylan11558]

I'm 70 and Dylan got my attention when I was 12 or 13 and I heard Blowin in the Wind on the radio. All of Dylan's albums have genius in them, some more than others. Highway 61 Revisited is brilliant from start to finish. It has become an album I always return to.

[@simonbradwell211]

One of the greatest opening lines of all time

[@julianleil7847]

With "High Way 61 Revisited" and "Blonde On Blonde" Bob Dylan proved he is on par with the greatest artists of all time and even rivals the greatest classical composers. He might sound like an amateur composer and singer for some people, but what he really did is turn rock music into art and changed the goal of pop music from entertainment and casual listening (Beatles ring a bell) to self expression and serious artistry that far surpasses its time to last forever. Truly one unique artist I didn't take seriously for a long time considering how famous he is, but now that I get him I'm convinced he's one of the greats of all time.

[@bobcorbin7545]

Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde are other-worldly. Almost hypnotic.

[@julianleil7847]

@@bobcorbin7545 probably nothing ever sounded like Blonde On Blonde and also probably nothing will ever sound like it. It's one of a time genius that can't be repeated or imitated!

[@fransjacobs9644]

The harmonica playing at the end to me is so intense that it transforms the whole song into a strong beam of beautiful light.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Charlie McCoy was the harmonica player on this recording.

[@billgausman5887]

@@stevenmeyer9674 No, he was not. This is clearly Bob Dylan's own.

[@a-b-cweaponsnightmare6544]

You're clearly high-as-fuck. 😆😆😆

[@PatrikLowe]

Dylan is my all-time favorite musician. This album is my favorite Dylan album, this song is my favorite Dylan song, and the first harmonica solo might just be my favorite Dylan "moment" of all (I totally agree with you, @fransjacobs9644). It's the peak of the song, which to me, is the peak of Dylan's greatest era, and it stirs up emotion in me that I can't really explain. Bob Dylan is truly a genius, and means more to me than I can ever say.

[@lachlanneville7138]

This might be the greatest song ever written

[@waynejohanson1083]

Dylan seems to only write classics.

[@josephgiudice1601]

The perfict song has been writtin no one will come close!!!

[@michaeldevlin79]

Nobody can hold a candle to Bob Dylan. These lyrics are from the top drawer. How on earth do you even start to contemplate writing such profound lyrics. It just blows my mind.

[@jeromenicolas4384]

Joni Mitchell sure does. And knows.

[@mattmalinas]

@@RobertWCox-sj3qk what do you mean "was released"? I would love to know that, just for curiosity's sake :)

[@brikadabroadcast338]

@@RobertWCox-sj3qk I didn't express myself well either :) what I meant was, I would like to know his method for writing. Like I said, just out of curiosity

[@jamiehalifax4954]

He is maybe the most amazing song writer ever..each song is like a movie..in your mind !

[@martincvitkovich724]

and to deliver them night after night

[@johnhoward563]

I am 72 now, my younger brother Peter. (Sadly passed) brainwashed me with early dylan records when I was about 17, wonderful memories. And it’s still wonderful John h

[@joevenezia9868]

Sandoz and Dylan, Perfect together

[@jimboyer5382]

I hope you thank your brother's spirit every day for the wonderful gift called Bob Dylan!

[@mdbohdan8857]

My mother indoctrinated me...i thank her daily.

[@spookydonutghosthouse]

I am so sorry for your loss RIP to your brother

[@edanhollombe]

"When you asked me how I was doing, was that some kind of joke?" Every time I hear that it hits so hard. What a masterpiece of a song in general.

[@mikeyday1752]

Every single Dylan song will greatly remind me of my father, every single time. It will give me mixed emotions of joy and sorrow. The lyrics hits me so hard with pure life facts. My father is still with me, but I know desolation row, idiot wind, stuck inside of mobile with the Memphis blues and so many mote will remind me of my hero so hard. But I will be thanking my father for showing me an incredible poet singer.