The big difference is that the songs I was writing last year, songs like Ballad in Plain D, they were what I call one-dimensional songs, but my new songs I’m trying to make more three-dimensional, you know, there’s more symbolism, they’re written on more than one level.
~Jenny De Yong And Peter Roche Interview, 30 April 1965
A song is anything that can walk by itself, I am called a songwriter. A poem is a naked person, some people say that I am a poet.
~Jacket notes Subterranean Homesick Blues
This is not a “best from 1965” list, just 5 Great songs Bob Dylan recorded in 1965.
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
15 January 1965
The 3rd and last Bringing It All Back Home recording session, produced by Tom Wilson.
First released on BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME, 22 March 1965.
You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out the saints are comin’ through
And it’s all over now, baby blue
Spotify:
Live 1965:
–
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
15 January 1965
The 3rd and last Bringing It All Back Home recording session, produced by Tom Wilson.
First released on BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME, 22 March 1965.
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
Spotify:
Live 1965:
Chaos is a friend of mine. It’s like I accept him, does he accept me?
~Nora Ephron & Susan Edmiston Interview, Late summer 1965
Oh, I think of myself more as a song and dance man, y’know
~Press Conference, San Francisco 3 December 1965
Like A Rolling Stone
Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
16 June 1965
The 2nd Highway 61 Revisited session, produced by Tom Wilson.
First released on single Columbia 4–43346, July 20 1965.
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?
People call say ‘beware doll, you’re bound to fall’
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hanging out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging your next meal
How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone
–
Ballad of a Thin Man
Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
2 August 1965
The 5th Highway 61 Revisited session, produced by Bob Johnston.
First released on HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED, 30 August 1965.
You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked and you say, “Who is that man?”
You try so hard but you don’t understand
Just what you will say when you get home
Because something is happening here but you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mr. Jones?
Spotify:
Live 1965:
–
Desolation Row
Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
4 August 1965
The 6th and last Highway 61 Revisited session, produced by Bob Johnston.
First released on HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED, 30 August 1965.
They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner, they’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker, the other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless, they need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight, from Desolation Row
Previous in this series:
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1961
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1962
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1963
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1964
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1971
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1973
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1974
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1975
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1981
- Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1983
Check out:
-Egil