Most of the time
I’m clear focused all around
Most of the time
I can keep both feet on the ground
I can follow the path, I can read the signs
Stay right with it when the road unwinds
I can handle whatever I stumble upon
I don’t even notice she’s gone
Most of the time
~Bob Dylan (“Most Of The Time”)

“I don’t know who I am most of the time. It doesn’t even matter to me.”
~Bob Dylan (David Gates interview Sept 1997)

“Most of The Time” is a “big song,” a major work, the sort of listening experience that brings people back to an album again and again.
~Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist Volume 3: Mind Out Of Time 1986 And Beyond)

“Most Of The Time” is the most atmospheric track on the best Bob Dylan album of the 1980s.
~Nigel Williamson (The Rough Guide To BD)

–

“Most Of The Time” is my fav song from “Oh Mercy”, and it’s the “Oh Mercy” version that’s @ 31 on my top 200 list. This is however not my fav studio version.. as you will see further down in this post.

I really love the lyrics & Bob’s vocal on this one…

Here is Andrew Mueller (The Guardian) from the documentary “Both Ends of The Rainbow”:

Most of the time
It’s well understood
Most of the time
I wouldn’t change it if I could
I can make it all match up, I can hold my own
I can deal with the situation right down to the bone
I can survive, I can endure
And I don’t even think about her
Most of the time
~Bob Dylan (“Most Of The Time”)

Studio Versions

#	Recorded	Released	Studio & takes	Album
1	8 Mar 1989	6 Oct 2008	The Studio – New Orleans, Louisiana. 2 takes	Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol.8 Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006 (CD 1)
2	12 Mar 1989	19 Sept 1989	The Studio – New Orleans, Louisiana. 6 takes. Take 3.	Oh Mercy
3	12 Mar 1989	6 Oct 2008	The Studio – New Orleans, Louisiana. 6 takes. Take 5.	Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol.8 Rare And Unreleased 1989-2006 (DeLuxe Edition)
4	16 March 1990	Apr 1990	Culver City Studios – Los Angeles, California. 3 takes.	promotional CD single
5	March 1989	Not Released	–	Bootleg: Oh Mercy Outtakes

 

Sources:

• Clinton Heylin – Still on the Road: The Songs of Bob Dylan, 1974-2006
• Olof’s “Still On The Road” website

 

#1 – TTS1 (my fav studio version)

–

–

#2 – Oh Mercy

–

#3 – TTS Deluxe

#4 – Promo CD single

sorry.. not able to find this one. Anyone??

#5 – Oh Mercy Outtakes

Most of the time
My head is on straight
Most of the time
I’m strong enough not to hate
I don’t build up illusion ’til it makes me sick
I ain’t afraid of confusion no matter how thick
I can smile in the face of mankind
Don’t even remember what her lips felt like on mine
Most of the time
~Bob Dylan (“Most Of The Time”)

Dylan is not necessarily speaking for himself in this song, but like any novelist or short story writer or actor, he is drawing partly on his own personal experience to get inside the skin of a fictional character.
~Paul Williams (BD Performing Artist 86-90 & Beyond)

Live version

Live performances:

• 23 times in 1989
• 2 times in 1990
• 11 times in 1992
  –
• First played – Beacon Theatre, NYC, 10 October 1989
• Last performance – San Jose, California, 9 May 1992

–

..the last “Most Of The Time,” Dylan’s face beaded with sweat, visibly living each phrase
~Clinton Heylin (A Life In Stolen Moments)

San José Event State Center
San José, California
9 May 1992

Musicians: Bob Dylan (vocal & guitar), Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar & electric slide guitar), John Jackson (guitar), Tony Garnier (bass), Ian Wallace (drums), Charlie Quintana (drums & percussion)

Most of the time
She ain’t even in my mind
I wouldn’t know her if I saw her
She’s that far behind
Most of the time
I can’t even be sure
If she was ever with me
Or if I was with her

Most of the time
I’m halfway content
Most of the time
I know exactly where it went
I don’t cheat on myself, I don’t run and hide
Hide from the feelings that are buried inside
I don’t compromise and I don’t pretend
I don’t even care if I ever see her again
Most of the time
~Bob Dylan (Most Of The Time)

Check Out:

• Bob Dylan top 200 songs
  –
• Alldylan @ Facebook
• Bob Dylan videos @ Alldylan.com
• Bob Dylan recording sessions @ Alldylan.com
• Bob Dylan albums @ Alldylan.com
• Bob Dylan concerts @ Alldylan.com

-Egil