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This is not a “best from 1974” list, just 5 Great songs Bob Dylan recorded in 1974.

Up To Me

In its own way ‘Up To Me’ is as masterful an achievement as ‘Tangled Up In Blue’, using much the same technique to create a well-crafted juxtaposition of ‘what I know to be the truth’ and what I’m projecting’.
~Clinton Heylin (Still on the Road: The Songs of Bob Dylan Vol. 2, . 1974-2008)

A & R Studios
New York City, New York
19 September 1974

4th Blood On The Tracks recording session, produced by Bob Dylan.

First released on  BIOGRAPH, October 28, 1985.

Everything went from bad to worse, money never changed a thing
Death kept followin’, trackin’ us down, at least I heard your bluebird sing
Now somebody’s got to show their hand, time is an enemy
I know you’re long gone, I guess it must be up to me

Tangled Up In Blue

A song that took me ten years to live and two years to write
~Bob Dylan

Sound 80 Studio
Minneapolis, Minnesota
30 December 1974

6th and last Blood On The Tracks recording session, produced by Bob Dylan.

First released on BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, January 17, 1975.

Early one mornin’ the sun was shinin’,
I was layin’ in bed
Wond’rin’ if she’d changed at all
If her hair was still red.
Her folks they said our lives together
Sure was gonna be rough
They never did like Mama’s homemade dress
Papa’s bankbook wasn’t big enough.
And I was standin’ on the side of the road
Rain fallin’ on my shoes
Heading out for the East Coast
Lord knows I paid some dues gettin’ through,
Tangled up in blue.

Shelter From The Storm

A & R Studios
New York City, New York
17 September 1974

2nd Blood On The Tracks recording session, produced by Bob Dylan.

First released on BLOOD ON THE TRACKS, January 17, 1975.

‘Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I’ll give ya shelter from the storm

–

You’re A Big Girl Now (alt. version)

A & R Studios
New York City, New York
17 September 1974

2nd Blood On The Tracks recording session, produced by Bob Dylan.

First released on BIOGRAPH, October 28, 1985.

Our conversation was short and sweet
It nearly swept me off my feet
And I’m back in the rain, oh
And you are on dry land
You made it there somehow
You’re a big girl now

–

Idiot Winf

A & R Studios
New York City, New York
16 September 1974

1st Blood On The Tracks recording session, produced by Bob Dylan.

Not released

Someone’s got it in for me
They’re planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they’d cut it out quick
But when they will I can only guess
They say I shot a man named Gray
And took his wife to Italy
She inherited a million bucks
And when she died it came to me
I can’t help it if I’m lucky

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 1971
• Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1973
• Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1981
• Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1983

-Egil