When did you leave heaven ?
How could they let you go ?
How’s every thing in heaven ?
I’d like to know.
Today it’s “Down In the Groove”s birthday. Here is a live version of one it’s songs.
When Did You Leave Heaven? was written by Walter Bullock & Richard Whiting.
What possessed Dylan to record something as banal as ‘When Did You Leave Heaven?’ is
one of life’s little mysteries. I am not sure if this is the same angel that was flying too close
to the ground in 1983, or if another one had gone AWOL from paradise. At any rate, I wish
she had not flown in Dylan’s direction. As with much of the material released on “Down
In The Groove” Dylan’s choice of ‘When Did You Leave Heaven?’ smacks of a man
desperate for a direction home.
~Derek Barker (The Songs He Didn’t Write: Bob Dylan Under the Influence)
Globe Arena
Stockholm, Sweden
28 May 1989
- Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar)
- G. E. Smith (guitar)
- Kenny Aaronson (bass)
- Christopher Parker (drums)
–
Why did you trade heaven ?
For all these earthly things ?
Where on earth you hide halo ?
Where did you lose your wings ?Have they missed you ?
Can you get back in ?
If I kiss you would it be a sin ?
I am only human but you are so divine.
When did you leave heaven angel mine ?
–
and here is a live version from Big Bill Broonzy:
-Egil
I liked the album version and this live version is terrific. One day perhaps we will get access to some of those live versions of songs where Bob — as in this case — was in great voice.
I was there, second row. Not quite the song one expected even if I was very well aware of which songs to expect. And we got “Hey lala” as well, just as strange a song to do. But it was all OK when he did “Eileen Aroon”.
why so snarky? this is a great version by a great band and a great bob dylan. why so snarky?
Thanks for commenting Dale.
I actually like this live version (thats why I posted it), but I don’t like the version on “Down In The Groove”.
Derek Barker was off course referring to the album version.