Well done, sir! I love that song, and have always come up short analyzing the lyrics-thank you for giving me understanding. I really like the spiritual connection ,and brief history of Bob Dylan during the time he wrote the song-keep up the good work, my friend. I wonder if Jimi Hendrix had your understanding when he performed this great song?

I'd like to support Calico Silver's analysis with my own (based on a phenomenological method of interpretation) Cause and Effect Analysis: Observed Negative Effects or dissonance factors: Polarisation, self-centredness, self- preservation, commitment phobia, jealousy, inauthentic behaviour Underlying Causes: Judgmentalism, Disempowerment, Loneliness, External threats Coping Mechanism adopted (existential response) in an effort to deal with the underlying causes of discontent: Resolve to live authentically, search for meaning and perspective, exercise right to free choice 🙏

[Verse 1] Darkness at the break of noon Shadows even the silver spoon The handmade blade, the child's balloon Eclipses both the sun and moon To understand you know too soon There is no sense in trying [Verse 2] Pointed threats they bluff with scorn Suicide remarks are torn From the fools gold mouthpiece the hollow horn Plays wasted words, proves to warn That he not busy being born Is busy dying [Verse 3] Temptation's page flies out the door You follow, find yourself at war Watch waterfalls of pity roar You feel to moan, but unlike before You discover that you'd just be one more Person crying [Chorus] So don't fear if you hear A foreign sound to your ear It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing [Verse 4] As some warn victory, some downfall Private reasons, great or small Can be seen in the eyes of those that call To make all that should be killed to crawl While others say don't hate nothing at all Except hatred [Verse 5] Disillusioned words like bullets bark As human gods aim for their mark Make everything from toy guns that spark To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark It's easy to see without looking too far That not much is really sacred [Verse 6] While preachers preach of evil fates Teachers teach that knowledge waits Can lead to hundred-dollar plates Goodness hides behind its gates But even the President of the United States Sometimes must have to stand naked [Chorus] And though the rules of the road have been lodged It's only people's games that you got to dodge And it's alright, Ma, I can make it [Verse 7] Advertising signs that con You into thinking you're the one That can do what's never been done That can win what's never been won Meantime, life outside goes on All around you [Verse 8] You lose yourself, you reappear You suddenly find you got nothing to fear Alone you stand with nobody near When a trembling distant voice, unclear Startles your sleeping ears to hear That somebody thinks they really found you [Verse 9] A question in your nerves is lit Yet you know there is no answer fit To satisfy, ensure you not to quit To keep it in your mind and not forget That it is not he, or she, or them, or it That you belong to [Chorus] But though the masters make the rules For the wise men and the fools I got nothing, Ma, to live up to Verse 10] For them that must obey authority That they do not respect in any degree Who despise their jobs, their destiny Speak jealously of them that are free Do what they do just to be Nothing more than something they invest in [Verse 11] While some on principles baptized To strict party platform ties Social clubs in drag disguise Outsiders they can freely criticize Tell nothing except who to idolize And say "God bless him" [Verse 12] While one who sings with his tongue on fire Gargles in the rat race choir Bent out of shape from society's pliers Cares not to come up any higher But rather get you down in the hole That he's in [Chorus] But I mean no harm, nor put fault On anyone that lives in a vault But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him [Verse 13] Old lady judges watch people in pairs Limited in sex, they dare To push fake morals, insult and stare While money doesn't talk, it swears Obscenity, who really cares Propaganda, all is phony [Verse 14] While them that defend what they cannot see With a killer's pride, security It blows the minds most bitterly For them that think death's honesty Won't fall upon 'em naturally Life sometimes must get lonely [Verse 15] My eyes collide head-on with stuffed Graveyards, false goals, I scuff At pettiness which plays so rough Walk upside down inside handcuffs Kick my legs to crash it off Say, okay, I've had enough What else can you show me? [Chorus] And if my thought-dreams could be seen They'd probably put my head in a guillotine But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only

In the late 60s I worked in a payroll function for the State Dept. I realized that some operatives in Indochina were keeping hazardous duty pay rates long after returning stateside, in effect defrauding the U.S. govt. Still a teen I listed them all in secret to a general and got the money recovered. I did not have the courage to reveal this scandal to the press where some soldiers were coming home in caskets while others were banking unentitled wealth. The general gave me a cash award and I bought ape hangers and a sissy bar for my chopper, accepting this Judas money to keep quiet. " My Back Pages " helped me through my loss of patriotic idealism at the ripe old age of eighteen.

the live from the Verona Arena was broadcast live by Canale5 the Berlusconi's private network! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wr_A78OyuVY.htmlsi=bJrH4w6To9EO_-xz

Totally great record

Very great interpretation. I’m going through a vision,maken art seems so cruel break up at present thats lasted way more long than I wish.

I bought Mirror Man from a bargain bin around 40 years ago. I didn't take to it. A few years ago I started appreciating Beefheart more. Sadly, I've yet to hear Safe As Milk and Trout Mask Replica. On the positive side, I can look forward to hearing those with virgin ears.

Agree this is a masterpiece

Purchased it upon release, loved it straight off and still do. Saw him perform tracks off it at Earls Court, London in 1978. Shortly after I was also at Blackbushe, July 1978 where he performed six songs from the album.

Excellent. We need the rest of the Bootleg series reviewed!

I see Velvet Underground and Dylan records, and The Good the bad and the Ugly in this shot. We might be twins separated at birth. This video was a great breakdown of one of my favorite songs, very well done.

It is rather lethargic. Beefheart and Trump had a lot of personality traits in common.

Great video man! Just came across beefheart. Been going deep Never heard anything like this!

^Thank you sir. Loved it.

Great album. I saw Lou perform this album in its entirety and was stunned. It was then that it hit me full force. I revisit this album from time to time and I think of some friends and family who have passed on. It is a comfort to hear. Agree you have to fully immerse in this to fully experience the power and the glory.

I remember being incredibly frustrated with my wife's simple dismissal of the interactive "Like a Rolling Stone" video. I thought it was brilliant so I came to her a said "Look, You have to see this video!" she said "I'm cooking." I said "just stop for a minute." she asked what it was that I needed her to see. I said, "It's Like a rolling Stone". She said, "I'll look at it later." My response..."But you don't understand!" She and I are polar opposites in that when I really love an artist like Dylan, I'm excited, effusive and I just have to show people what they're missing. She finally gave in and watched the video. Her response when it was over? "You know I don't like his voice. Now let me finish dinner." So I stomped off, "Fine, I'm done trying to share any artistic excitement with you!" She said in a monotone..."Ok".And so it goes. But I then thought..."Why do I care if she likes Dylan?" Why do people want other people to desparately agree with them? Does it somehow validate your artistic taste? In fact, why is it dangerous to discuss politics or religion with people? Why can't we just accept that the other person don't agree with you and it's not some type of attack on their intelligence or anything else?' who knows....

*מקו-רוק: פרשת דברים/ שבת "חזון"* משה עולה לבמה המאולתרת הפרוסה אל עבר הערבה הרחבה, מול הישימון הנשקף. הוא מרים את העיניים מהדף ורואה את רבבות הפנים מביטות בו, והוא יודע; אחרי הנאום הזה הם כבר יסתכלו עליו אחרת. את הגרסה שלו לכל מה שקרה במדבר הם עוד לא שמעו. עד עכשיו הוא היה המנהיג הגדול, השקול, שכל מילה היתה מדודה וממלכתית. הוא הרי הוביל אותם במדבר, מצא מים, מינה שופטים והיה מלומד בניסים, איש הא-לוהים. אבל עכשיו, עכשיו הוא שובר את הראש וחושב לעצמו: "איך אני מבאר להם דיבורים כאלה שלא יתאבנו להם בלב? איך הופכים למוכיחים בשער? ואיך אני לא מוחק את כל הרושם שהיה ומה שישאר ממני זה מנהיג זקן, נרגן ומאוכזב?" והוא מתחיל לפַרֵט אבל הפעם הוא פותח זווית שהם עוד לא שמעו ממנו. איך חוסר האמונה וצרות העין שלהם הובילו למוות במדבר, לחולשה ולרפיון. ובכמה דרכים במדבר אדם צריך ללכת, כדי שיהיה אפשר לקרוא לו אדם?? כמה פעמים אתם יכולים להסיט את המבט ולהעמיד פנים שאינכם רואים? התשובה לשאלות האלו נישאת ברוח. ולעם של עבדים היא לא היתה. רוח כזאת, אחרת, היתה לכלב ויהושע, והיא זאת שנשאה אותם לארץ כנען. מאות שנים אחר כך, גם ישעיהו הנביא עומד ומביט בירושלים המושחתת והמסואבת של דורו, ולא יכול יותר לשתוק נוכח מה שהוא רואה. ישעיהו הוא נביא יוצא דופן. כל הנביאים בתנ"ך, כולל משה, בורחים מהבשורה ומהשליחות שהם נקראים לה, הם אינם רוצים בתפקיד כפוי הטובה הזה. בניגוד להם, ישעיהו נענה ואומר: "הנני שלחני". הפרשנים אומרים שמשום שהוא היה חלק מהאליטה הירושלמית הוא לא פחד לעמוד מולם. "אין ברירה, צריך להשתמש בכל מה שיש לי כדי לנער את הלב של העם הזה". בביטחון מלא, בתנופה אדירה ומלאה בפאתוס הוא מתחיל בנאום תוכחה מהדהד, שהופך לחזון של פסוקים בלתי נשכחים שנישאים בפי כל עד היום. הוא משתמש בדימויים וסמלים שונים כדי לשקף לאנשי ירושלים עד כמה מצבם המוסרי חמור. הוא מגייס את סדום ועמורה, חמורים וסוסים ומשליך עליהם דימויים וכינויים ועוד ועוד… אלפיים שנה אח"כ, יעמוד איש צעיר מול החברה בה הוא חי ולא יוכל לשתוק יותר. הוא קרא את הנביאים בתנ"ך, זכר את הסיפורים על הדמויות והמלכים המתוארים בו. הוא מאמץ ממשה וישעיהו את המניפה הרחבה של המילים, את שלל הדימויים והמשלים, לכדי סגנון מבע מגוון וצבעוני. הצעיר לנצח הזה, הוא שבתאי זיסל בן אברהם צימרמן או בשמו היותר מוכר: בוב דילן. דילן רוצה לומר לנו משהו על חברה רקובה ועל אנשים עם נוכחות וכריזמה, עם אישיות ממגנטת ובעייתית אז הוא כותב את: "ג'וקרמן". איך אפשר לומר משהו חדש ומקורי על תופעת הגורו או המנהיג המסוכן והדמגוג? כזה שמסוגל במילותיו להלך קסם על אנשים ולהתל בהם כמו הג'וקר שעל גבי הקלפים. ואיך מנהיגים ושופטים לא לוקחים אחריות ומשתמטים ובכך מביאים את החורבן, הבושה והאובדן לחברה בה הם חיים. בשיר, הוא משוטט לאורך התנ"ך וכדי להעניק עומק ותחושה של דחיפות למסר שלו הוא מתכתב עם סיפורים ומפזר רמזים מוכרים דוגמת: סדום ועמורה, חוקי ספר דברים וויקרא, הכלב המלקק את פני המלך, אלילים שונים ואפילו דמות דיוקנו של דוד שגילף מיכלאנג'לו, מובאים בשיר כדי לפרוט לנו על הנימים ולסמן לנו מה עלול לבוא לחברה בה שולט הסיאוב והחמדנות. דילן הולך לתנ"ך ולמקורות נוספים, ומראה לנו איך עושר טקסטואלי השמור לבעליו לטובתו, מאפשר לו לכתוב ולהישמע כמו נביא מקראי. וכדי לא להפוך להיות פלקטי וחד מימדי הוא כותב שירים מסתוריים ומעורפלים, אך בדרך פלא הם מצליחים להשאיר אחריהם שובל של השראה ומסרים נוקבים. מה לא אמרו עליו? "נביא" "קול של דור" "סמל המצפון" "הדובר הרהוט של תרבות הנגד" "אשף המילים". היצירה של דילן היא כל כך מגוונת ומפותלת שכל ניסיון לאפיין ולקטלג אותה יחטא לרוחב היריעה שלה. אבל הוא כל השנים התעקש וטען שהוא לא כותב שירי מחאה… השיר(הארוך, כמו הרבה משירי דילן) הוא שילוב מעניין של כמה סגנונות מוזיקליים: מִקצב ומעברי תופים של רגאי, גיטרה חשמלית רוקיסטית עם צליל נקי הפורטת ומלווה את השיר. לעיתים היא נעלמת, אך מיד חוזרת ומהווה את חוט השדרה המלודי של השיר. הגיטריסט הוא מארק קנופלר(עוד יהודי..) הסולן של Dire Straits. הגיטרה נפתחת לשני סולואים ומטיילת איתנו לאורך השיר כחוט חורז. מי שיקשיב היטב ישמע את תפקיד הבס המנוגן בקצב מהיר ומכניס אלמנט של מתח ועומס רגשי כדי לחזק את המסר של מילות השיר. הָגְרוּב (הקצב) של השיר, גם הוא מהיר ואפילו כיפי וקליל, וכמובן לקראת הסוף, המפוחית האופיינית של דילן מופיעה ומזכירה את הטרובדור וניחוח הבלוז שעוטף את היצירה. אפשר להציע שהגיוון הסגנוני של העיבוד המוזיקלי ממשיך ומתואם עם העושר הלשוני והמבע הטקסטואלי. השפה העשירה, המורכבת משלל אמצעים ספרותיים, היא הכלי הגדול של הנביא והמשורר, הפואטיקה היא כלי העבודה. ביאליק במסה שלו: "גילוי וכיסוי בלשון", מתאר את המסתורין והנצחיות של השפה העברית, ואת העומק והיכולת שלה לתאר את תהומות הקיום האנושי. השבת, היא שבת "חזון". היא קיבלה את שמה על שם הפסוק הראשון של ההפטרה מספר ישעיהו שהוא אחד משיאי הספרות של התנ"ך. משה רבנו, ישעיהו הנביא, ובעקבותיהם- בוב דילן, ידעו ולימדו אותנו כי רק בשפה עשירה, המכילה רבדים רבים ושכבות של משמעות, אפשר יהיה לומר מסר שיזכר ויהדהד לדורות. ==================== שבת שלום🌿 ושיבואו ימים של פיוס וחסד🙏

Great analysis bro. 👏👏Keep it going.

Like a Rolling Stone seemed to me like some rich guy who hated homeless people and then ended up on the street starving. One of the very few songs by that crazy man that actually make sense.

Hey Jeff! Great subject. For me, I would often love an album depending on whatever was going on with me at the time. For instance, my first broken heart. She broke up with me in August 1984. Anyway, for the next 3 years I listened Layla almost constantly -Bell Bottom Blues and There's a Thorn Tree in The Garden. Loved it. It shared my misery to a tee. But then my mood improved and I never listened to it again. Pink Floyd's The Wall. I knew that album up, down and backwards. I even watched the movie several times. I was going through my "no one can understand me" period. Now I wouldn't listened to it if you paid me. Actually I wouldn't listen to any Pink Floyd Albums after Dark Side. Aside from Ram I haven't listened to a post Beatle solo albums in years and probably never will. David bowie - Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Listened to it constantly - never want to hear it again. Tapestry by Carol King - I was going though my I'm a sensitive guy period. I thought the chick's would be impressed. They weren't. I'm sure there are many more but one thing your list did for me was remind me of all the great albums that I haven't listened to in years and will probably buy.

Movie selection criteria itself is very appreciable and movies which are handpicked are worth watching. Thank you for taking efforts to share these movies with us.

I love your videos...& I rarely have any love for the albums you show. ‘Frampton Comes Alive’....not so much an album title...more a threat! . Please make more videos!

Shocking list 😂

I eally love your videos

Before the flood. A great album. A lot of the songs Dylan sings I first heard here and remain my favourite versions.

Magnifique musicien Rypdal aussi Bjornar Andresen/Espen Rud surtout il ne faut pas oublier Min Bull

i had this on 8 track. i was driving across America in an Opel Cadet, the windows down, one hand on the wheel singing. i had a saxophone to play too... i got pulled over in Texas. i was told to put both hands on the wheel, the horn in the trunk and get out of the state..... i got to see Frank and Don a few times.... THANK YOU !!!...rockettebob in reno

I have loved Dylan for decades, but this song has always puzzled me. I'd been moving toward the understanding that you seem to have reached, and I think your analysis is spot-on; it really opened the song up to me. Yes, I agree that the song is taking on all the false prophets who often cleverly disguise themselves as bearers of light. Excellent video. Thank you.

Please get a copy of CHRISTMAS CARD as soon as you can. It's great!!! Shirley Jones sings lead on "The Christmas Song" and shares lead vocal with David on "Winter Wonderland ".

Also I think this song somehow is a self reflection for each individual

I worked on a fishing boat in the Bearing Sea one summer and we took on a Norwegian Observer anyway I wanted to find out about Scandinavia (I did end up living in Copenhagen DK for 6yrs decades later) but there wasn't much going on so I was talking to this guy. I mentioned how much I liked certain Scandinavian Jazz musicians. The fishing industry doesn't draw many jazz fans so I didn't expect anything. But when I mentioned Tejre Rypdal's name he woke up to say "oh yeah I fucked his wife". 🤷 I mentioned that he was the only jazz guitarist to bring the sonic possibilities of Hendrix into Jazz. Blank stare. 😂 If you're interested you can hear Inger Lise Rypdal sing Harper Valley PTA in Norwegian in her early 20s.

Grand Funk like Ted Nugent are not in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame because of Mark's politics. He is a freedom loving 2nd Amendment type of guy. The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame , besides being garbage now, is run by freedom hating lefties. Very simple . Nothing to do with music. All politics which has been obvious for at least 20 years now. This never crossed your mine? Wow?

Actually not being in the rock and roll hall of fame is something to be proud of. The whole thing was a joke from the start. It was Rolling Stone and they quit being a music mag in the early 70s. Maybe politics, but not music. They wanted everyone to like who they liked. And records sales an d music press were their measures of everything.

I saw them in 70. They did a good show. Then after Closer to Home they sold out. The live album was disappointing. They were going for AM radio and they got boring. And Todd Rundgren and his massive ego ruined any band he over-produced. And album sales are not the measure of a great band. In all fairness they were not the best band on the night that I saw them. It was a good show. I knew all the songs, but nothing spectacular. Nothing that made me want to see them again. I don't hate them, but I just don't care.

Fascinating topic Jeff...I guess a lot of pop and rock music has its time and place. Maybe a lot of this is to do with our changing brain chemistry as we get older. I definitely have some examples, most of them from the nineties when I was supposedly in the prime of my life. Something I wonder about is how, back in the day, the record industry threw its full weight behind convincing us all that the music and artists they were selling were somehow to essential to our lives, and we essentially believed them.

Especially in the case of TPF record companies wanted and needed the recordings to be super professional. Since none of the cast were pro musicians with long track records the producers did what was common practice. Even if they had known DC could sing and play guitar very well The Wrecking Crew and the singers would have still been on the album.

I do not think of TPF as bubblegum as many others seem to think. The Archies were bubblegum. The 1910 Fruit Gum Company was bubblegum. TPF was pop music and so many of their songs were written by true songwriters of good/great pop tunes. But yes TPF music was very good and misjudged by many. Nice Review. Thanks.

Time for some K- POP!😆

When I think about buying albums(cd) now I always think how often will I play it, once or rice a year? I don't need it. Sometimes the memory is better

I like your review, and I think you're dead right about Desolation Row being the place they're escaping to, that outsider place, apart from society. However I think you might have the wrong idea about Casanova being the unwanted bullsh't artist. I think he's being punished because he went there, by the religious crew for being too free by the priest and his lot with the curtains nailed shut censoriously. The Phantom shouts to the skinny girls to get out of there. I think that's religion trying to shut down sexual freedom. Romeo is kicked out for being a chauvinist brute, but Casanova is punished for going there. Just my take. Also I think the Superhuman Crew refers to Neitzsche's Superman idea which the Nazis erroneously took up.

Beautiful guitar work Jeff! As I watched your video, I started to get choked up. My mother died about 20 yrs ago and it was one of those things in life that become a a time line. In other words, you start to think of certain thing in your past and then think, "that's before mom died and This is after mom died." I know that it may sound weepy but there is a line in a Loudon Waiwright III song called Homeless. "When you were alive I was never alone Somewhere in the world there was something called home." And for some reason I liken it to the gospel song Softly and Tenderly. "Come home, come home Ye who are weary come home Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling Calling, "O sinner come home" I may have mentioned before that I attended a Catholic School for 10 yrs while growing up and then lost almost all faith in anything but there a some gospel song that still make me weep.

My collection is full of albums that got played constantly when new, but get rarely played now. Including at least 20 of your 30. BUT…. I still love pulling them out every once in a while. It’s like visiting an old friend or distant relative.

It's an interesting analysis and I enjoyed hearing a different version from Joan's but for me Dylan has no idea what he means or what he wants us to think. It's more of painting of disconnected thoughts, beautifully senseless ideas that somehow make an impression that feels beautiful. I think the Beatles learned from him, that it's okay to not make sense as long as the music and words touch the listener. Remember. "Here come old flat-top, he come grooving up slowly, He got ju-ju eyeball, he one holy roller, He got hair down to his knee. Got to be a joker, he just do what he please." Does anyone really care what that means?

Hi-Yo CalicoSilver! Enjoyed the stories; loved most of the music.

Hey Jeff, Enjoyed your video and I understand where you are coming from. Not to long ago I bought The Stones "Dirty Work" again and I don't know why. There are a couple of McCartney albums I use to play to death like "Red Rose Speedway" and "Venus & Mars" but not much anymore. Take Care!

Agree 100% Jeff!!!!! I was a Grand Funk singles kid when I was 12 or so! But I soon discovered their stellar albums! I remember doing the bunny hop at an 8th grade school dance to their version of Locomotion!! 😅 ha! They certainly deserve respect!!!! Cheers and hope you are taking care of your needs and feeling better…😊🙏😎👍❤️

I find I can no longer listen to much 70's rock, and this was my heyday of concert going and soundtrack to my adolescent life. At some point reminiscing and romanticizing the past through music became old and stale. I'd rather spend my limited music listening time finding new pleasures, both historical and contemporary. Speaking of Odyssey and Oracle, tried that just the other night, made it through two songs, enough! In general repetition eventually gets boring and stale, wish it didn't but it does for me.

Nope, never happened to me. Of course, you really, really liked a lot of things that I never liked very much in the first place. But that's not it; we just listen to music differently -- I don't play things obsessively. Oh, wait, you mentioned one that applies: Jethro Tull, different album -- Aqualung. I was a total freak for that record when it came out, can't stand it now. I can still listen to their first three records, and Thick As A Brick, too. I definitely still listen to Sticky Fingers and Who's Next and a few other things on your list.

The Manassas album is still great to listen to.