Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna (Official Audio)

“Visions of Johanna" by Bob Dylan
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Lyrics:
Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet?
We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it
And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it
Lights flicker from the opposite loft
In this room the heat pipes just cough
The country music station plays soft
But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off
Just Louise and her lover so entwined
And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind
In the empty lot where the ladies play blindman's bluff with the key chain
And the all-night girls they whisper of escapades out on the "D" train
We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight
Ask himself if it's him or them that's insane
Louise, she's all right, she's just near
She's delicate and seems like the mirror
But she just makes it all too concise and too clear
That Johanna's not here
The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face
Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place
Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously
He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously
And when bringing her name up
He speaks of a farewell kiss to me
He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all
Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall
How can I explain?
It's so hard to get on
And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn
Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial
Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while
But Mona Lisa musta had the highway blues
You can tell by the way she smiles
See the primitive wallflower freeze
When the jelly-faced women all sneeze
Hear the one with the mustache say, "Jeez, I can't find my knees"
Oh, jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule
But these visions of Johanna, they make it all seem so cruel
The peddler now speaks to the countess who's pretending to care for him
Sayin', "Name me someone that's not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for him"
But like Louise always says
"Ya can't look at much, can ya man?"
As she, herself, prepares for him
And Madonna, she still has not showed
We see this empty cage now corrode
Where her cape of the stage once had flowed
The fiddler, he now steps to the road
He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed
On the back of the fish truck that loads
While my conscience explodes
The harmonicas play the skeleton keys and the rain
And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain
#BobDylan #Folk #SingerSongwriter

[@fernmonkey]

Don't settle for being someone's Louise. You are a Johanna.

[@jeffpadgett8269]

I absolutely love this comment

[@johannaschmidt7376]

My parents named me after this song in 1974. I wish I could thank you. I love my name and it makes me very proud to be named after such a beautiful song.

[@JB174Glebe]

Cool

[@Lebeauski]

Now thats awesome. My older brothers middle name is Dylan. My fav song from him, and saying that, twas not an easy choice. 😊

[@foresight87]

@Shane Molloy Only Bob knows for sure, and he's not saying.

[@QuakerPop]

Too funny. For my daughter I gave my wife two options...my first choice was Johanna, and then my second choice was after an Elvis Costello song. She chose the latter. I love Costello, but no one-except perhaps Dylan- has ever written a better song than this one

[@foresight87]

@@QuakerPop Let me guess, Allison?

[@felixrossi6458]

"The ghost of 'lectricity' howls in the bones of her face". Wow, I don't think I'd ever heard such imaginative vivid imagery in the lyrics of a song..

[@cgregory123-eq3mx]

So agree. That one line alone gets a Nobel prize.

[@granttaylor7392]

The greatest single phrase in the entirety of rock music, bar none!

[@lasttry99]

I actually got the chills reading that line. Always get chills hearing it

[@jonathanromano8428]

This song is just an eternal poetry, of both written & aural beauty-- vast influent rushes of those Whitmanic iterations that bypass traditional, time-line blues with a grace & excitation...a manifest energy beyond the scope of immediate, complete understanding, yet immediately understood by emotion! I cannot help but think the great Allen Ginsberg had conversations with Dylan on Keats and his theory of "negative capability"--and that is why this poem transcends all notions of traditional Time!

[@davidmolnar8251]

... especially when you're really stoned!

[@davejohnston2700]

Blonde on Blonde is such an insane album. It is so far ahead that it goes backwards.

[@DavidVargas-hg7cs]

His voice is so unique, he invented a new way of singing.

[@Waaawat]

Absolutely, it's a truth. Perhaps it was destined to unfold this way.

[@Jus5410]

No one comes close to Dylan every song feels like it was written just for you he just knows. He's a poet,singer,musician and a true inspiration in my life.

[@DavidVargas-hg7cs]

@@Jus5410 I can absolutely relate to that same exact feeling.

[@jws2win]

A gift from God to humanity.

[@jlouis4407]

He hit notes flat like a jazz singer

[@kennyjeanful]

Been listening to this stuff since I was 17. Now I'm 71 and it just refuses to age, the effect never fades. I could listen to Mr. Bob Dylan till my dying breath, or for the rest of eternity, whichever comes first.

[@judyfarrer5326]

Ken Jeannotte I think it gets better as I get older. I am 68. I always go back to Dylan

[@flamingooneleg77]

Oh it’s good to know you gave your life to Jesus

[@eguirald]

How true! It just refuses to age… and so do I.

[@2468pebble]

Made 71 too. The music stands on its own merits and remains as fresh as ever.

[@davidkoplitz1969]

67 here….my favorite ❤

[@janetdidonato9963]

Better put Dylan on repeat for the next 4 years, if we even last that long.

[@EattingFungi]

Bob will get us through

[@janetdidonato9963]

@@EattingFungi I have Desolation Row on repeat, along with many others. That one kind of sums it up best for me though. What a visionary.

[@MeToo-z7r]

Why won't we last four years??? We only have one day at a time young lady.❤❤

[@MeToo-z7r]

I hope and pray that you are doing ok 🙏🙏

[@harjopet]

Is this the best song ever written? This is the best song ever written

[@zacheryloreen1023]

It’s literally perfection from start to finish. Perhaps Dylan’s magnum opus in my opinion .

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

No. It is certainly not.

[@petermatthew123]

Yes it is! ❤

[@torquemadaop8970]

Yes it is; but so are at least another 25 Dylan masterpieces. I just can't pick one!

[@underated17]

@@lucianomezzetta4332 One of at least

[@jamesorr5206]

Dylan is magical with his harmonica.

[@jamesorr5206]

what a goddamn great song. Thank You Bob

[@Nosferatu186]

Key chain rhyming with D Train is truly amazing.

[@lauriegregory3872]

This is Bob's high..He gave us 3 of the greatest albums of all time in 18 months.. Blood on the tracks is great but Bringing it all back home..Highway 61 and Blonde on Blonde are absolute masterpieces and he knows it

[@manticore2580]

I'd add JOHN WESLEY HARDING as the fourth to that list. Dylan drew on the parables of the Bible for the songs on the album.

[@brucedelaplain7138]

Yep. Those three are the best. Probably Highway 61 on top. I didn't know they were done in 18 months. Wow! Ps. I saw him live twice -- once in Seattle with The Band, then once in Tucson when in his born again phase.

[@sonicyouth29]

14 months

[@roalziroalzi]

ANOTHER GOLD TRILOGY.... PLANET WAVES , BLOOD ON THE TRACKS AND DESIRE 1974 - 1976 THREE LP,S No 1 IN USA

[@chambeet]

His electric trilogy was almost certainly his peak by common consent, and really only the Beatles had a similar peak, and that is debatable.

[@hippydippy]

Blonde on Blonde is a Pure Masterpiece. PERIOD.

[@dennisdevine3382]

That is a fact! Love this tune, it is so mind blowing & the drums are cool also.

[@dennisdevine3382]

That is a fact! This is a song that always blows my mind, plus the drums are cool.

[@michaelstockman8521]

Thanks 😊😊😘❤️ n I love you too... But Blood on the Tracks IS His BEST Work... EVER... ! !

[@09nob]

@@michaelstockman8521 It's up there I'd say Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde are up there with it.

[@dennisg.582]

A-FREAKIN-MEN, Hippydippy

[@nancyfernandez197]

My favorite Dylan song and that's like picking my favorite child! 😁

[@Broatch6]

Ain’t that the truth !

[@codyjarrett8274]

Greatest artist of the 20th century hands down.

[@pattymulligan2389]

Agree

[@valentineharding1688]

One of my favourites. I'm 72 years old and been a Dylan fan since I was 17. My parents chucked out my Dylan LPs - especially they didn't like The Times They are A-Changing !! I wish they'd lived to see him win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

[@danielkokal8819]

when I was in college (76-80) the English Dept taught a poetry class based on nothing but Dylan lyrics

[@davidframe8362]

You should have tried harder to get them to see and hear how brilliant he was/is.

[@sarareardon8088]

Me too, anyone who chucks out Dylan material is threatened by some truth or just plain ignorant!

[@bird42069]

Daniel Kokal thats so cool, especially to hear as a 17 year old

[@bobdylan4727]

You have such a profound impact on my carrier that even the biggest thank you text would fall shout to express my gratitude. Thanks for your support ❤️❤️❤️

[@steelyman08]

Line after line of sparkling poetry. You could go on quoting your favorite Dylan lyrics for all eternity. No one else has ever done anything like it, and no one ever will.

[@iamjesuschristintheflesh5866]

Leonard Cohen and randy Newman

[@Driecnk]

@@iamjesuschristintheflesh5866 Hey buddy why the lower case r

[@Driecnk]

@@iamjesuschristintheflesh5866 You out to lunch

[@jonathanstephens7015]

Which kind of infinity are you talking about The king of time Who can never find the right rhyme

[@chrisramsey6725]

I would challenge that. One other lyricist is up there right with him: the late great Robert Hunter.

[@invinoveritas2077]

It’s just amazing how Bob fits an entire novel’s worth of story into song. Time after time

[@mklives2]

Sounds like you haven’t read a novel recently.

[@privatecocky8971]

@@mklives2 sounds like you haven't heard a good tune lately

[@TheBirdBrigade]

@@mklives2 why comment if you don’t get it?

[@skeptical4446]

@@mklives2 read the OP and look up. Maybe then you can see what went over your head.

[@janrimmer8395]

@@TheBirdBrigade some people never get it

[@tony0000]

This is why Dylan is Dylan.

[@bradleybarnett9545]

How is this music so nailed-down & still so, you know, wild & mercurial?

[@dimwitted-fool]

Because Bob Dylan is not a human being hahaha I love this guy so much

[@jackwright6679]

This song is completely insane. No one ever wrote in parallel with Dylan. A gift to us all poetically.

[@kelvinkloud]

No one?... not so sure. But no doubt the guys eye was singular and quite the diamond.... I would put hank Williams sr, bob Marley and Jim Morrison on Dylan’s lyrical level, albeit they used different vantage points and styles. Though all overlapped at one point or another.

[@kelvinkloud]

What separates Dylan from most is the true poetic structure along with the multilayered meaning and perspectives going on within a song. Plus he could structure songs in various styles. Like hank Williams sr he could write sparse seemingly more simple lyrics which were packed however with very dense symbolic meaning. Frost like. Or he could pen abstract works like this song with varying character interplay like TS Elliot. Or he could take the beat style of stream of consciousness, rolling narrative and lay out structures like subterranean homesick blues. A style that set the roots for rap..... speaking of guys like enmien, Tupac deserve mention. They don’t add the multilayered density of Dylan but they do create impressive flow and visceral power at their best in the genre. The truth is Dylan’s imagery in many of his songs wouldn’t sell in hip hop. But a young Dylan could’ve laid down hip hop with the best of them. He probably appreciates the quality of the genre.... honorable mention should be given to guys like Lennon, reed, jagger, waters, stills who were influenced heavily by Dylan and penned some great lyrical songs.... the only ones who went singular out of that wellspring from Dylan’s 60s bloom were Marley and young who painted more intimate stories wh/ though less abstract and prolific, were more visceral and approachable then Dylan. Also Bowie at his best carved out new material within surrealism and symbolism. Finally, Jim Morrison is greatly misunderstood imo. He threw crap on the wall at times, was a sex idol, and was very destructive so he gets ridiculed. But he was as original as Dylan and as brave. If you understand William Blake symbolism then you will get Morrison at his best. Most don’t even get the structure and miss it’s power. When on his A game, no one, including Bowie or waters wrote as good big pic epic structure as Morrison in rock. And like Bowie he could enhance it stage craft wise.

[@tripover8656]

the hyptonotik melody and the poetry of words and a new sound that came from a outer space, another planet ...

[@charlesking617]

Like he said.

[@stacyblue1980]

He changes lives.

[@janeboyd4558]

Besides enjoying listening to this wonderful song, I really love reading the comments that express so well many of my same feelings about the song and about Bob Dylan.

[@MushroomKingMo]

"We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it"

[@kennethgarner7401]

A line that Samuel Beckett could've written.

[@SueBHoney-cq8co]

Makes you pause and consider how very deep that statement is.

[@RexHrothgar1]

Mona Lisa must’ve had the highway blues, you can tell by the way she smiles!

[@bendrescher7185]

Love that line.

[@mrmojo-eo7sh]

My favorite lyrics line

[@dodeoledeo3113]

Light flickering from the opposite loft/ in this room the heat pipe just cough... Is great!

[@moondancer9066]

The Mona Lisa is Leonardo Davinci as a woman. He was very stuck on himself you know and he was a homosexual. He also made the Shroud of Jesus. That's Leonardo DiVinci not Jesus!

[@robinrobyn1714]

Dig it, man!!!!!!!! That's my favorite line in the song!!

[@ProfessorChomsky]

Callander, Scotland, mid-80s.......we all have our times and places and this is mine with this song - an absolute masterpiece x

[@PaulWright-o2t]

Read Calgacus speach to the Caladonians, the only Johanna I ever knew, Johanna, Kelly,Waterford, Irelan̈d, Google that for a real horror story.

[@harrietbradleygillen3028]

There is no doubt in my mind that Bob Dylan is a genius, perhaps the only one in my lifetime.

[@Broatch6]

Ain’t that the truth ! But what about Bruce Springsteen

[@martinnewtonholmes]

@@Broatch6 What about Paul McCartney ? (Ok ! Only joking)

[@lightronv]

Jim Henson and Shigeru Miyamoto are there.

[@helenmordsley9172]

And Leonard Cohen of course ❤

[@jeanwyman5421]

not even close.

[@Ekul99]

Possibly the best song ever written.

[@childofthe60s100]

YES!!!!!! (and not even "possibly"!)

[@ianjohnson3840]

Bro not even the best dylan song. This record is great but very overrated

[@samgilbert2928]

You hedged with that first word.

[@craig7437]

This took my face off the first 15 20 times I listened to it can’t remember a other song doing that thank you Bob

[@zivanajadresic8604]

Ekul99 one of his many best.How can one pick which is the best when everytime you listen its the best

[@mariogaleano9365]

My favorite song. It's more of a friend than a song for me.

[@juanpablopigliacampo5317]

You've just made the perfect quote to explain the feeling I get when I hear this song. Thank you; really, thank you.

[@jessiehaislet3625]

Yes. You nailed it!

[@steelyman08]

Ditto!

[@edwarddalton9710]

Dude, I hear ya!

[@Jonejon250]

I kinda feel like that about all Dylan songs.

[@philallard986]

If Dylan were born as he was in 1941, immediately went into a coma, woke up in 1966 and uttered: "The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face," and then died....he would STILL deserve the Nobel Prize.

[@ondox]

Absolutely Sir! This is some fantastic imagery

[@Goatchild90]

Facts

[@joemarshall4226]

LOL

[@sneezesaw2611]

Glad he didn't. 500 years since the last comparable body of work, and that one wasn't put to music.

[@zarafutztra]

*muttered

[@jongalt1776]

Another example of why Dylan is the greatest poet of his generation.

[@karolk7711]

He isn't a poet he s a singer

[@Broatch6]

Ain’t that the truth !

[@GarySmith12-oe8cx]

Of all time

[@GarySmith12-oe8cx]

​@karolk771hes known to be a fantastic poet of all time music

[@glenncambray9783]

He isn't a poet. He's a songwriter.

[@jlouis4407]

“The country music station plays soft, but there’s nothing really nothing to turn off” always gets me

[@rhynorton6606]

"Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial" is mine... Gets me every time.

[@Thin_Mercury]

Blonde on Blonde is one of the greatest albums ever made. Just a fact known by many

[@jaybartlett3849]

It is a perfect desert island record. If it were the only thing you could listen to, you'd still play it over and over, daily.

[@Hankjones1]

1972 brother

[@hespheiden1]

Well duh.

[@bernardclifford2578]

I love this song! I remember when I was very young and was in college I would lay on my bed and listen to this song over and over! It’s so great we can listen to all these songs here on you tube!

[@josebenito15]

The Nobel prize award was written on here.. Already 🕤

[@jlouis4407]

The drums are perfect he does exactly what’s needed

[@jimseaton6611]

The entire universe is encapsulated in this song.

[@vandannadale2689]

Agreed Jim! I’ve thought in the past: How did anyone dare write a song after this Masterpiece?! And HE’S still doin’ it 55 years later. Rock on, Bob.✌🏼

[@There_is_No_Spoon_]

i do not know what you talking about but you just BOUT RIGHT

[@clydeswift2700]

@@There_is_No_Spoon_ f

[@conradmaclean4073]

yeah you'd think so. It's long enough.

[@losallets]

literally in the first line

[@GarySmith12-oe8cx]

59 years loving BOB DYLAN

[@shereebarrett3714]

"Happy 81rst. BIRTHDAY "! BOB ,from Eli Minnesota! Thank U for your Heart in music!💥🎉😚👊🌬💖😎

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here

[@PR-bd1ky]

Ely, MN

[@johannachin2921]

How have I never heard this song before? My life is now changed.

[@eisy1709]

It's your song...Johanna.....

[@innis52carra]

You are obviously not a Dylan fan ..

[@paulcohen665]

this song should be so much better known.... one of my favorites... for decades! Fun to see people introduced to it in 2020, don't let it die!

[@katherinekirkwood9632]

Omg u are born again this is one of his GREATEST

[@paulcohen665]

now try this one, another unheralded GREAT Dylan song (the studio version is more polished but this bootleg live version is so intense and raw): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3_Ii4l5Z9ihaqM

[@jesuisravi]

when I was a kid--75 now--Dylan's first songs hit us like a bomb. I mean, compare these lyrics with the kind of stuff we were used to, such as " I just wanna hold your hand" etc.

[@mayhemonwax8486]

The Beatles song is from 1963 and Bob's song from 1967 and you can't compare both songs.

[@jesuisravi]

@@mayhemonwax8486 Friend, the first time I heard a Dylan song on the radio ( the song was" Ramona") was 1963. There had been nothing like that before on the radio--I know because, like most kids my age back then, I was an avid listener of the local rock-playing stations.

[@newtonpo1]

@@jesuisravi Don't think he gets it but that's okay, there are plateaus in most everything including music. I sensed the same at different points in the Sixties. Purple Haze was another "shining moment in time" that blew the doors of everything that came before, went to the core like mainlined electricity

[@williamcaspers7087]

BRAVO!!..SO TRUE... I'M 75 A FAN SINCE DAY ONE EARLY 1960'S..

[@jaw444]

@@mayhemonwax8486 Bob put out the John Wesley Harding album in December 1967, his 7th album. it was the first time we'd heard from him since Blonde on Blonde in mid 1966, a year and a half. Back then, that was a long time to not hear from him. In 65, two albums, in 64 two albums. He had taken off from work to settle down with his new family up near woodstock, John Wesley Harding was a really different sound and feel, and finally once again, all new Dylan songs, new kinds of lyrics, completely different. and they all fit into the times, which had changed, just like always.

[@shuddupeyaface]

Probably the greatest work of art of the latter part of the 20th century. Honestly.

[@Danyel-or7uz]

Bob Dylan is my idol since the mid-sixties and "Visions Of Johanna" my all-time favorite and for many years my ringtone. About every day I listen to my Bob Dylan's albums, CD's, Bootlegs or on You Tube or via "Expecting rain". I never wrote any comment, why ?? Because everybody knows Bob Dylan is an Icon, the Master, The Greatest songwriter of all time, so I'd have to copy all those beautiful comments I've been enjoying reading the past years. I' m getting old, it's time to thank Bob Dylan for all the greatness, all the pleasure he brought me the past 60 years and tomorrow it's his birthday, the right time to do so. Love Danyel

[@flavur_1394]

The entire part leading up to his conscience exploding is one of the most beautifully written pieces of a song I've ever heard. Makes my hair stand up.

[@jamesstevenson8697]

Full Lyrics: Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet? We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it Lights flicker from the opposite loft In this room the heat pipes just cough The country music station plays soft But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off Just Louise and her lover so entwined And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind In the empty lot where the ladies play blindman's bluff with the key chain And the all-night girls they whisper of escapades out on the "D" train We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight Ask himself if it's him or them that's insane Louise, she's all right, she's just near She's delicate and seems like the mirror But she just makes it all too concise and too clear That Johanna's not here The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously And when bringing her name up He speaks of a farewell kiss to me He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall How can I explain? It's so hard to get on And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while But Mona Lisa musta had the highway blues You can tell by the way she smiles See the primitive wallflower freeze When the jelly-faced women all sneeze Hear the one with the mustache say, "Jeez, I can't find my knees" Oh, jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule But these visions of Johanna, they make it all seem so cruel The peddler now speaks to the countess who's pretending to care for him Sayin', "Name me someone that's not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for him" But like Louise always says "Ya can't look at much, can ya man?" As she, herself, prepares for him And Madonna, she still has not showed We see this empty cage now corrode Where her cape of the stage once had flowed The fiddler, he now steps to the road He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed On the back of the fish truck that loads While my conscience explodes The harmonicas play the skeleton keys and the rain And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain

[@anthonysutherland4108]

Thanks James from Australia.

[@abigailcaraballo2623]

Thank you - I am now discovering Mr. Dylan, so I appreciate your efforts !

[@nelson2F]

What a treat to have the lyrics added -- thanks for doin' that.

[@davidkoplitz1969]

Thank You from Minnesota ❤

[@tenisalot]

Wow....almost better as pure poetry!!!

[@evag1751]

Impeccable

[@antarcticorb9197]

I left home at 5 years old at night and lasted about two hours in the winter. I came back as blue as the ocean and my mother cried as my father laughed. He told me to prepare better the next time.

[@2468pebble]

Nobel prize? This song deserves it on its own.

[@katherinekirkwood9632]

yes the Nobel prize, for sure

[@harrietbradley6496]

So true . Sheer genius

[@Lebeauski]

Funny he didnt show up for the "prize".. Classic rebel.

[@Rose-qd2bl]

Bob Dylan is considered a Bard in Ireland. The highest praise possible. I'm from Minnesota but I learned to appreciate him there. I was lucky enough to see him in his hometown of Duluth MN. People came from all over the world to see him. There were people sleeping on the roofs of parking lots.

[@emilysansone1861]

I saw him open for the Grateful Dead. Truly awesome.

[@CooManTunes]

Minnesota is a traitor state.

[@thomasobrien447]

@@emilysansone1861 me too

[@frankgerlach5059]

@@emilysansone1861 when I saw him in Eugene, Oregun, The Grateful Dead opened for him.

[@jeanwyman5421]

I saw him in Minneapolis just after he released his new rock sound. People boo-ed. They sure had alota gall, to be so useless and all.

[@sarahmichelini1966]

One of the best songs ever

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here

[@Broatch6]

ain’t that the truth !

[@petermac989]

First heard this in rural Ireland in my teens in the 60's, blew my mind then, still does !

[@nando7789]

This song is from another dimension. This man is someone out of reallity. Is like a Myth.....

[@SueBHoney-cq8co]

It's a supernatural payback that is never satisfied.

[@michaelbroadway798]

"We sit here stranded, but we're all doing our best to deny it" So true.

[@13Aureille]

Sans rire, on se demande vraiment d'où peut sortir une chanson pareille! C'est réellement extraordinaire!

[@gronkmusic7973]

I'll never forget hearing this song for the first tine when I was fourteen, it was like a thunderclap in my brain

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

"The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face." Whew! Nobel Prize right there, right there. And no need to try to figure it out; just let the imagery float through your mind . . .

[@triplesevensix291]

Is right!

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

@@triplesevensix291 Thank you.

[@Benjaminthemighty]

What does that line mean

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

@@Benjaminthemighty Impressionistic songwriting. You wouldn't have asked Van Gogh was a painting meant, would you?

[@imperatorcaesardivifiliusa2158]

@@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia I probably would have because, even though paintings don't have a single "meaning," doesn't mean that there's no use in getting anybody else's interpretations

[@ericforman4721]

This whole song blows my mind.

[@pokeysdad17]

blows your mind? what are you, 12?

[@katherinekirkwood9632]

I agree omg it's too much jewls & binnoculas hang from the neck of a mule LOL

[@AA-sn9lz]

Didn't you write it?

[@jacobsearles1521]

This is what salvation must be like after a while.

[@imannonymous7707]

Amen

[@jjrwass]

i'm waiting

[@paranoidplane9799]

I guess it would become boring after awhile

[@bikingfencer]

infinity goes up on trial

[@marior4747]

How do none of these newly posted songs have a million views yet? These are some of the most perfectly written songs of all time.

[@Ptinski]

#Mario I'm wondering about those 3 people who disliked this. Tells me that the right people aren't checking him out - many didn't know he was even loaded on KZbin. For me, after over 50 years of Bob, I'm addicted.

[@kc2094]

They'll get views as time goes on, at least. Give it a few months and a few of them will have at least a million hopefully.

[@laceyjackson6887]

Most people can’t get em

[@nitropost]

@@kc2094 Give it a bit of time , a lot of fans do not know that mister D. is on line on YT, THIS WILL SPREAD LIKE WILD FIRE .

[@imannonymous7707]

Sigh, haters gonna hate

[@barbarakeyock532]

Every line is a masterpiece . Bob sure didn't waste any words.

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here

[@malemsaid6699]

How can I explain? It's so hard to get on Whenever I listen to this song, these two lines resonate in my ears and I keep on repeating them all day long

[@michaelrose122]

"Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet".... ok, sir, you've got my attention.

[@iandurn1725]

“The ghost of electricity howl in the bones of her face.” Probably the most disturbingly beautiful thing ever conceived.

[@lonecrapshooter67]

Sheer brilliance . Best songwriting ever. Such genius.

[@lonecrapshooter67]

The inspiration for Stones Get Your YaYas Out cover

[@billyraybar]

Best me to it

[@rafaelwillems3244]

Most of all when you don't forget the s. It's something you wouldn't say to your worst enemy.

[@binghamguevara6814]

Why? Can you explain your interpretation of this line? I’m a Dylan fan but find this line boring.

[@acaughey09]

Lyrics: Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet? We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it Lights flicker from the opposite loft In this room the heat pipes just cough The country music station plays soft But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off Just Louise and her lover so entwined And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind In the empty lot where the ladies play blindman's bluff with the key chain And the all-night girls they whisper of escapades out on the "D" train We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight Ask himself if it's him or them that's insane Louise, she's all right, she's just near She's delicate and seems like the mirror But she just makes it all too concise and too clear That Johanna's not here The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously And when bringing her name up He speaks of a farewell kiss to me He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall How can I explain? It's so hard to get on And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while But Mona Lisa musta had the highway blues You can tell by the way she smiles See the primitive wallflower freeze When the jelly-faced women all sneeze Hear the one with the mustache say, "Jeez, I can't find my knees" Oh, jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule But these visions of Johanna, they make it all seem so cruel The peddler now speaks to the countess who's pretending to care for him Sayin', "Name me someone that's not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for him" But like Louise always says "Ya can't look at much, can ya man?" As she, herself, prepares for him And Madonna, she still has not showed We see this empty cage now corrode Where her cape of the stage once had flowed The fiddler, he now steps to the road He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed On the back of the fish truck that loads While my conscience explodes The harmonicas play the skeleton keys and the rain And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain

[@bendrescher7185]

Arguably his best lyrics.

[@stephenmowles7138]

Bob Always takes you on a journey, waking you up as you listen and try to decipher and relate to his lyrics... Who else can do that?

[@michelletonks2270]

I'd never heard of this until one of my musical heroes, Robyn Hitchcock, did a compilation of Dylan songs. It's a great song, which by the way, Hitchcock does it justice. Lyrics are unequalled.

[@auberjean6873]

@@michelletonks2270 , I'm a Robin Hitchcock fan (pretty much every song on Elements of Light) and will give this song a try by Hitchcock. Thanks for letting me know about it! Saw him do some songs solo, small bar, on KZbin. He's great.

[@michelletonks2270]

@@auberjean6873 It's great to spread the word. I'm sure you'll not be disappointed. The Hitchcock CD of Dylan songs I refer to is called simply, Robyn Sings. Enjoy.

[@Samu93c]

Perhaps the greatest song ever written among many other from Bob. What a masterpiece.

[@imannonymous7707]

How can you pick one with a cannon that could blow the H.M.S Britannia eight miles high

[@replaybb]

@@imannonymous7707 Agree. Long time ago, I stopped trying to rank Dylan's greatest songs. Simple exercise, write down what you think are his greatest 20 songs, look at it, then think of all the great songs not on the list.

[@kerrybindon940]

Its the peak of the peak sooooooooo entwined

[@sup393]

@@replaybb good exercise

[@InAnotherLife90]

@@replaybb Wiggle Wiggle

[@juliamccamman9819]

Little boy..lost, takes himself so seriuosly... Love Bob Dylan sooo!!

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here

[@janetbransdon3742]

At 15 years old I bought my first LP record Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits ... hours listening with my first boyfriend my first love...we married we both loved Bob and listens to many of his albums...when my marriage ended I was heartbroken.Could not listen to Bob for many years. But now 50 years later I can listen again. X

[@steelyman08]

I know that feeling. Same happened to me, but with a different band. Literally took years! But losing Dylan's a big deal! Glad you got him back (-;

[@jesuisravi]

I can relate.

[@kikenobel8724]

Gracias por compartir tu experiencia. No eres la única. Si DYLAN estuvo en todos nuestros momentos (buenos y malos) entonces si existe la fidelidad. Saludos

[@rolandoaponte214]

I also bought my first Dylan album at 15 years old, when the Columbia House Catalogue offered 12 albums for 1 cent (if I recall well)... it blew my mind! (the Columbia offer not the album...LOL!!!!!!)

[@thesongtowoody]

yeah!!!!

[@edbreen8793]

One of my all-time favourite Dylan songs. One of his absolute best.

[@Samu93c]

Bob is the greatest poet of our times.

[@bendrescher7185]

“The ghost of ‘lectricity howls in the bones of her face” Definitely one of Bobs best lines. Tons of other lines to pick as his best, though. That’s what makes him special.

[@Benjaminthemighty]

What does it mean

[@bendrescher7185]

@@Benjaminthemighty it’s describing the beauty of the woman he’s talking about, you know what I’m trying to say? It’s like her face is so electrifying and beautiful.

[@davetepl]

To me Dylan's use of the word "ghost" was essential to my interpretation of that line. By the way, that was the first line to jump out at me the very first time I heard the song. I was doing the exercise I imagine some of us do while purposely listening to a song, the exercise of tuning out the world and picking a spot to stare at, or even closing our eyes, until a line comes through and hits you, or nothing. If it does, you grab a hold on tight and go for a ride. Much like a tourist visiting San Francisco narrows their eyes as the cable car approaches and they look for that one pole that will most swiftly help them swish up onto the moving vehicle, and away they go. Digression notwithstanding though, jeepers. So, think of how 'lectricity, more specifically the electro-chemical event can shape a face in the moment. I'm often deeply mesmerized by the way Light reflects off the curves of the face of my love. Emotions explode, thoughts too, such as "so beautiful", "sexy!", "so damn adorable and cute", "lucky to witness this again and again, grateful down to my bones every single time." And that's just her smile. Every expression on her face created by the different combinations of 'lectricity sends me in a unique way. Now these things occur in the moment. A smile, a frown, a grimace, a glare, a silly face. But after many many occurrences, after a couple decades, the face begins to look like it's been doing a long- term audit of sorts, like skin cells on your cheeks that have been keeping tabs on UV rays. Which expression have we performed more than the others, way more? Lines. Lines and folds. They begin to tell a powerful story. The changes in her face is what I think Dylan is referring to here when he says the "ghost of 'lectricity". Or perhaps the current facial expression together with the "backstory". That was my first thought anyway. Take it for what it's worth, throw it out, do what thou wilt.

[@StefanoConti-]

Bob Dylan is Bob Dylan, a sublime story-teller, the beat of the poet

[@lionsinthezoo]

So many dynamic punchlines. Wordsmith of a lifetime

[@noobsyou]

Weird to think my mom was still a baby when this album came out! Just shows how timeless Bob Dylan and his music is. It feels like whatever mood I'm in there's a Dylan song that fits it. Bravo Bob

[@RCFIEND24]

jakjoi amen

[@puri6546]

I was a newborn baby, I had days... when this wonder came to light.

[@trinidadapodaca7027]

thats true

[@carolynzaremba5469]

I was a freshman in college.

[@opinion3742]

This song was already 12 years old when I first heard it - 3/4 of my life ago at the time.

[@Poetically_Incorrect]

I'll tell the next generation proud that I have breathed the same air that bob dylan breathed.

[@Ptinski]

#Kundan aren't we exceptionally blessed? Ah yes.

[@Poetically_Incorrect]

@@Ptinski very indeed.

[@jamesobrien7338]

I saw Bob Dylan for my 17th Birthday in May 2017 and managed to get to front row in the encore, and feel lucky to have been in the same room let alone that close, not that I’m validating my experience by how close I was but seeing in person who I’ve listened to for so long does make it all a bit more real, but yeah agreed very lucky and proud indeed man

[@Ptinski]

@@jamesobrien7338 You really have a great memory there, James. Seeing him perform that close up, hearing those incredible lyrics, must've been amazing. Nice to hear from a Millenial who appreciates this troubadour genius poet. ✌♪

[@kc2094]

It's weird seeing him live. That's like "you know your ancestors saw Shakespeare a lot." except there's pictures and all

[@adiedits8027]

This song is perfectly bittersweet. frustrating yet blissful

[@mancmal]

So pleased to see so many people still listening to this complete classic, the entire Album is pure genius and this track is the Diamond of them all

[@triplesevensix291]

My Ma had it on vinyl & I wore that fucking thing out. Loved the whole album but used to love playing obviously 5 believers while blasting my guitar playing along with those blistering stinging guitar lines! One of my fave L.P.s ever.

[@mancmal]

@@triplesevensix291 hope you still have such good taste 🎸🎼

[@triplesevensix291]

@@mancmal I do lad yeah. Is your logo a reference to Boddingtons by any chance? Going by your name see. Throwing out the olive branch...all the best from downtown Liverpool. Lol. Cheers our kid. ;) Have a sound weekend.

[@GilliePryor1Artist]

Exquisite contemporary poetry from a truly gifted writer.

[@iamd.j.7590]

My favorite song of all time! The lyrics and his voice are sooooo perfect on this song

[@ReshiramR52]

Totally

[@hoboscientist5651]

the Belfast one is my favorite tho

[@kerrybindon940]

you are soooooo right

[@yomama9567]

Timeless perfection...

[@AnaS-zc6ql]

Mine too. This song is pure perfection ❤

[@jlouis4407]

One of the most mystical songs ever recorded and the one that really kicks off the album and makes you go, woah that’s something different

[@gabrielfariasjr6097]

Came here to relax and listen to some good music and left with a Phd in literature. Visions of Johanna. Dylan plain and simple a masterpiece.

[@hamidmusik7691]

❤

[@jimcolhoun5881]

Vision of Johanna, most of Dylans songs classics this one is special wonderful Poetic mixture ,as only Dylan can do

[@jonathanmilton511]

Transcendental poetry to fine rock music.

[@toddharper2003]

This never gets old. I find something new every time I listen to this. A true masterpiece.

[@herbertrichard614]

The ghost of selfish howl in the bones America's face.

[@thewilkyway]

@@herbertrichard614I’m 13 and this is deep.

[@DrSpikeSpiegel]

Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial. Voices echo, "this is what salvation must be like after a while". But Mona Lisa must have had the highway blues, you can tell by the way she smiled.

[@nbdsflyers7139]

Garcia singing this at the Spectum in 95 was a masterpiece

[@surrealdearth8213]

I need to find that.

[@nbdsflyers7139]

@@surrealdearth8213 Visions of Johanna - Grateful Dead - 3-18-1995. Check it out, you'll enjoy

[@emanueletomei6658]

The song of the century

[@bobdylan7876]

Hello Emanuele, how are you doing? It's a pleasure meeting you here today.

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

The cymbal part is grossly underrated .

[@willmurphy368]

and the snare?

[@carajamieson9026]

The man has book for a brain I could listen for a lifetime ✌🏻

[@stevendurham9996]

What a stud he is: Thanks, Robert. "Show me a Man who's not a parasite, and I'll go out, and say a prayer for him. " There, we have it.

[@PatrickMonahan-vu3sm]

My favorite Dylan song it’s the best song I ever heard

[@garysmith1046]

One of the best song's ever written. Bob the genius.yours sincerely Gary Smith

[@harrietbradley6496]

Genius. The only one f our generation. Sheer brilliance

[@moricwilson]

the most beautiful and elaborate song about obsession ever

[@tomp189]

‘Every Breath You Take’ sinister but musically beautiful, that’s up there with this

[@dylanmyers3082]

After all these years This the original version is just incredible

[@jamesdeansghost5531]

I didn't own my first Dylan album (cd) until I was well into my mid to late 30's sometime in the 90's. As a Gen X teen I grew up knowing who Dylan was without ever hearing him apart from "Like A Rolling Stone" or "Knocking On Heaven's Door" occasionally being played on local radio. None of my friends owned any Dylan and this is way before internet, KZbin or streaming so it was always word of mouth, magazine or by chance someone let you borrow it back in the day. That's how we found out about music that wasn't played on the radio, new or old. So I went on never listening to anything by him except what I may have heard on the radio...just another classic artist I took for granted. Little did I know I was missing only the most important figure ever in modern music. It took one listen to "Blonde On Blonde" and I knew I was listening to such greatness that I had never heard before.

[@mumbles215]

Same boat man. Born in the middle of the Xers, liked some of the radio Dylan, tangled up in blue was always a top song for me by any artist, but I too was late 20s when I “got” Dylan, I’ve nevwr looked back. A master I. The realm of the grass like Bach and Motzart. We are Blessed to love in his time.

[@GarySmith12-oe8cx]

Absolutely fantastic 👏 👌 😀

[@JaiChandrasekhar]

There's a reason why Dylan is the only rock'n'roller who ever won the Nobel Prize. He truly is a genius.

[@rosiepestel7836]

And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain...simply beautiful line.

[@bobdylan7876]

Hello Rosie, how are you doing today? It's a pleasure meeting you here.

[@martinnewtonholmes]

Once you have heard greatness you will never settle for less

[@Broatch6]

Ain’t that the truth

[@georger1122]

I love this song. You have to give tremendous credit to Al Cooper on the Hammond B3 organ, It really made the song with it's haunting sound.

[@rlsander1]

I’m 64 years old . Studied this man’s lyrics for decades and still haven’t figured it out but I love it , it makes you think

[@odeb7924]

80 years old! It doesn't seem possible.

[@evamg3772]

Happy birthday, Bob! Thank you for all the wonderful songs. Wish you the best. 😊

[@Bryanadamsmusicinc]

Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here