My Site

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