Redirecting to a newer version of this post….
‘ Not Dark Yet ‘ is many folks’ favourite song on Dylan’s 1997 album, and for sure it pushes all the right buttons: a gorgeous vocal, a brooding melody, the darkling worldview and that seemingly effortless way he captured the dusk in his veins.
~Clinton Heylin (Still On The Road)[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Wikipedia:
Released | August 25, 1997 |
---|---|
Format | CD |
Recorded | January 1997 |
Genre | Blues rock |
Length | 6:29 |
Label | Columbia |
Writer(s) | Bob Dylan |
Producer(s) | Daniel Lanois |
“Not Dark Yet” was released on his 1997 album Time Out of Mind and also as the first single on August 25, 1997. The song appears on the album The Passion of the Christ: Songs Inspired by The Passion of the Christ, and also features on the Wonder Boys soundtrack. It is also played in the ending part of the documentary Why We Fight.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-quote-left”]Shadows are falling and I’ve been here all day
It’s too hot to sleep, time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I’ve still got the scars that the sun didn’t heal
There’s not even room enough to be anywhere
It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
In our poll: Bob Dylan’s best songs from the 90s it finished on top.
–
Some facts:
- Dylan has played “Not Dark Yet” 152 times live
- First time was @ Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Georgia – October 30, 1997.
- Last performance was @ Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT – Sept 8, 2012
- Peak year: 1999 he played it 57 times
Here are 3 great live versions:
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-quote-left”]Well, my sense of humanity has gone down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing there’s been some kind of pain
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
She put down in writing what was in her mind
I just don’t see why I should even care
It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York
30 June 1999
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-quote-left”]Well, I’ve been to London and I’ve been to gay Paree
I’ve followed the river and I got to the sea
I’ve been down on the bottom of a world full of lies
I ain’t looking for nothing in anyone’s eyes
Sometimes my burden seems more than I can bear
It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Meadows Music Theater
Hartford, Connecticut
24 July 1999
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”mulled_wine” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-quote-left”]I was born here and I’ll die here against my will
I know it looks like I’m moving, but I’m standing still
Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb
I can’t even remember what it was I came here to get away from
Don’t even hear a murmur of a prayer
It’s not dark yet, but it’s getting there[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Stirling Castle
Stirling, Scotland
13 July 2001
- Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
- Charlie Sexton (guitar)
- Larry Campbell (guitar, mandolin, pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar)
- Tony Garnier (bass)
- David Kemper (drums & percussion)
-[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_btn title=”Alldylan / Borntolisten @ Facebook” color=”blue” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-facebook-official” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJohannasVisions%2F||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-link” css_animation=”bounceIn”]
Check out:
[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row]
-Egil
Is Not Dark Yet Dylan’s greatest recording? Beautifully written, perfect vocal, great production, and the band nails it. My favourite song by any artist – ever.
Refer to this as Visions of Johanna 2.0
(oops, i think you mixed up my comments…and are responding to something i tried to add to the Lucinda “Sweet Old World” post”). regards!
Yes you are right, I will move it, sorry about that
– Hallgeir
To my ears (and soul), Dylan’s greatest song and studio recording of the past 30-plus years–since Angelina, Groom Still Waiting at the Altar, Every Grain of Sand, Blind Willie McTell and Jokerman in the early 80s…and likely better than all of them!!
The mixture of great humor and pathos in the lines (and vocal delivery) such as “I know it looks like I’m moving, but I’m standing still/ Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb/ I can’t even remember what it was I came here to get away from” is a stupendous achievement.
Thanks!!
I think the album is full of gems and her Which Will cover is a highlight, I agree.Thanks for your comment!
Moved to where it should be, sorry
– Hallgeir
I’ve followed the river and I got to the sea ~
with much Love and many thanks for all that is, your perseverance in the meanderings of music is awesome
Thanks!
a detailed performance history of this gem, as well as numerous mp3 links to live versions can be found at the dedicated song page http://www.notdarkyet.org/ndy.html of my web site NOT DARK YET, (which was named after this song in June 2000, less than three years after its release)
Thanks Markus,
You’ve got a great website.