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This is not the jokerman. This is someone whose heart can be got ahold of. And in a real sense this person is more vulnerable, and even more in need of a place to hide, than the genius who could write and perform “Blind Willie McTell.”
~Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, Vol 2: The Middle Years 1974-1986)

It’s getting harder and harder to recognize the trap
Too much information about nothing, too much educated rap
Never could learn to drink that blood, and call it wine
What looks large from a distance, close up is never that big
~Bob Dylan (Someone’s Got a Hold of My Heart)

Great song recorded during the “infidels” sessions in 1983, but sadly not included on the released album.

check out:

• Bob Dylan – Infidels
• Bob Dylan: 10 best songs recorded in 1983

It later developed into “Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)”, recorded during the “Empire Burlesque” sessions in 1985 (and released on that album).

Here are 2 versions, both probably recorded 16 April 1983.

Unreleased version (rough cuts bootleg):

The Bootleg Series 1-3 version:

Lyrics

They say, “Eat, drink and be merry
Take the bull by the horns”
I keep seeing visions of you, a lily among thorns
Everything looks a little far away to me

Gettin’ harder and harder to recognize the trap
Too much information about nothin’
Too much educated rap
It’s just like you told me, just like you said it would be

The moon rising like wildfire
I feel the breath of a storm
Something I got to do tonight
You go inside and stay warm

Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
You—
Yeah, you got a hold of my heart

Just got back from a city of flaming red skies
Everybody thinks with their stomach
There’s plenty of spies
Every street is crooked, they just wind around till they disappear

Madame Butterfly, she lulled me to sleep
Like an ancient river
So wide and deep
She said, “Be easy, baby, ain’t nothin’ worth stealin’ here”

You’re the one I’ve been waitin’ for
You’re the one I desire
But you must first realize
I’m not another man for hire

Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
You, you, you, you
Yeah, you got a hold of my heart

Hear that hot-blooded singer
On the bandstand croon
September song, Memphis in June
While they’re beating the devil out of a guy who’s wearing a powder blue wig

I been to Babylon
I gotta confess
I could still hear the voice crying in the wilderness
What looks large from a distance, close up is never that big
Never could learn to drink that blood and call it wine
Never could learn to look at your face and call it mine

Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
Someone’s got a hold of my heart
You—
Yeah, you got a hold of my heart

–

.. and here is “Tight Connection To My Heart (Has Anyone Seen My Love)”:

-Egil