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Bob Dylan — It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
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On_The_Beach
(Vancouver BC, Bud)
Posted: Oct 31, 2010 - 22:30
 
10.

teadye
(St. Petersburg, FL)
Posted: Sep 30, 2010 - 06:53
 
This song isn't supposed to be "sung" it's a style known as Talking Blues that dates back to the late 1920's, but was popularized by Woodie Guthrie. Dylan found his inspiration in gritty "everyman" Depression Era art... music, photos, etc. That is why the songs sound the way they do, not because of any limitation on the part of Dylan's voice. Every now and then he can be quite the crooner, but that was not the sound he was after.

nagsheadlocal
(North Carolina, the new New Jersey)
Posted: Sep 30, 2010 - 06:42
 
 skindy wrote:
Holy crap... I just looked up the lyrics and followed along as I listened to this. Bob Dylan totally deserves all the kudos he's received for the last 50-odd years. Amazing.
 
I'm with you on that. I hit the lyrics link too and remembered what it was like to really listen to lyrics and how people like Dylan and Paul Simon got me interested in poetry and literature. My soul has been enriched ever since.

nagsheadlocal
(North Carolina, the new New Jersey)
Posted: Sep 30, 2010 - 06:38
 
Man. I have not heard this in ages and I am astonished at the memories it brings back. What a great song from a great artist. 

Thanks, RP! 

vandal
(arriving somewhere, but not here. . .)
Posted: Jul 28, 2010 - 07:07
 
 Baby_M wrote:
Darkness at the break of noon shadows even the silver spoon, a brass spittoon, a child’s balloon eclipses both the sun and moon as the Cubs once more swoon in June to understand you know too soon you cannot bake the macaroon as in your car you drive and hoon down twisted roads in Cameroon that wind around between the dunes—to change the rhyme's inopportune, this poetry that does impugn the purity of our commune in Illinois, just near Mattoon ten thousand miles from the lagoon where Gilligan, that goofy goon has made himself a contrabassoon from coconuts he picked at noon, and serenades his pet raccoon in the driving rain (monsoon) and you may think him a buffoon but Ginger's underwear is strewn across the sand because she swooned over the sound of his bassoon and for a tryst it was opportune for the Skipper would not be back soon and Thurston Howell was by the dunes reading poems of Rod McKuen. Now this may all sound picayune but I assure you that this tune from all critique, it is immune because it's Dylan and festooned with lyrics enough for a dozen tunes and from the blues it was hewn by a master at the art of croon(ing) so don't you dare attempt lampoon—there is no sense in trying!
 
TFF: I would place this post right next to jhorton's "Gwyneth Paltrow dialogue" posted on Death Cab's "I Will Possess Your Heart" as a tie for First Place in the Funniest Post Ever Contest!

{#Roflol}


danmcminn
(L'viv, Ukraine)
Posted: Jul 28, 2010 - 07:04
 
 bachbeet wrote:
"Dylan sung by someone else, I was with you. Not so much the songwriter himself."

I am so tired of this lame argument.  Yes, he's not a good singer.  Still a great song.  Pavarotti was a GREAT singer.  But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.
 
Are you kidding? I'd love to hear Pavarotti sing this song. I'd probably laugh until I fell out of my chair.


skindy
(AwlbanNY)
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:38
 
 bachbeet wrote:
"Dylan sung by someone else, I was with you. Not so much the songwriter himself."

I am so tired of this lame argument.  Yes, he's not a good singer.  Still a great song.  Pavarotti was a GREAT singer.  But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.
 
AMEN!  {#High-five}

And Baby_M, the version of the lyrics you posted had me busting a gut! True genius CAN be parodied. Indeed, perhaps a song that's so classic and iconic should be parodied - as a genuflection of sorts, or to get the attention of naysayers so they can consider it from a different perspective.

bachbeet
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:10
 
"Dylan sung by someone else, I was with you. Not so much the songwriter himself."

I am so tired of this lame argument.  Yes, he's not a good singer.  Still a great song.  Pavarotti was a GREAT singer.  But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.

skindy
(AwlbanNY)
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:10
 
Holy crap... I just looked up the lyrics and followed along as I listened to this. Bob Dylan totally deserves all the kudos he's received for the last 50-odd years. Amazing.

Lakeview
(Great White North)
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:09
 
Amazing poet but we're getting close to shutting off the RP for a while . . .  can't take much more of the monotonous droning.

Oh, thank God . . . it just ended. 

ch83575
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:05
 
 slippery wrote:
If Dylan actually did sell his soul to the devil to pay for his skills in writing,
this song could be considered proof of the exchange.
 
Too bad he didn't sell his harmonica instead.

nerakdon
(Colorado)
Posted: Jun 26, 2010 - 10:03
 
Dylan sung by someone else, I was with you.  Not so much the songwriter himself.

slippery
(Cold north on the other side of the puddle)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:26
 
If Dylan actually did sell his soul to the devil to pay for his skills in writing,
this song could be considered proof of the exchange.

anotherlistener
(outside Bawlmer)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:16
 
I for one like Dylan's voice.  If he can't sing his own words the way he intends them, who can?

Dog_Ear
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:16
 
 johnjconn wrote:
Sounds like an early Rap song.
Yo Yo Yo
 
tru dat

johnjconn
(chicago land)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:15
 
Sounds like an early Rap song.
Yo Yo Yo

Dog_Ear
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:12
 
 nalle wrote:
Love this Dylan song, a great poet song. Not only a great poet, the greatest one. Comments?
 
I ate this all up back in the day as well as now

can't wait to hear the torrent of whining from those that can't appreciate this alliterative gem (song is about them) 

ziakut
(Chicago, IL)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:11
 
Almost made it through a whole RP session without Bob Dylan...oh well...no such luck. This isn't a bad song though...one of his better ones. At least with this one...I don't want to hit the mute button. The end of the song is the best though...cuz it leads to a different song.


nalle
(Malmo, Sweden)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:10
 
Love this Dylan song, a great poet song. Not only a great poet, the greatest one. Comments?

sirdroseph
(Tokyo)
Posted: May 25, 2010 - 14:09
 
8 -> 10....what was I thinking??{#Lol}

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Apr 23, 2010 - 21:02
 


great poetry with a melody...  love it...



Giselle62
(California's Cental Coast)
Posted: Apr 23, 2010 - 21:02
 
I kind of have a policy not to rate icons of the culture on here that much ——because it's too obvious—-unless i feel moved at the time to do so—-which i was, so I did.


yodasan_magoo
Posted: Mar 23, 2010 - 06:29
 
 That_SOB wrote:
There is little hope for this generation. Dylan is a cultural icon who moved mountains
with words. Sadly, it is now "cool" to hate Dylan when much of what he has to say is applicable
to the present. War, hate, corruption in government, prejudice, apathy, burned in love, all social commentary, and an invitation to change our "mired in the mud" thinking and actions. But why trouble your small minds with all of that when you can sit in your armchair watching the world go by and attempt to chop down a giant ?  
"And I just said good luck.  " ——— Dylan

 

I doubt anyone hates Dylan.  For me, its the instrumental and vocals that make a song.   This is were Dylan fails miserably to the point most, not all, of his songs are unlistenable.  Great lyrics are always appreciated, but its not why I listen to a song.  If you are into lyrics then I guess you can make a case for him.  I just don't see Dylan as a prophet as many do.

Baby_M
(a 100-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio)
Posted: Mar 23, 2010 - 06:28
 
Darkness at the break of noon shadows even the silver spoon, a brass spittoon, a child’s balloon eclipses both the sun and moon as the Cubs once more swoon in June to understand you know too soon you cannot bake the macaroon as in your car you drive and hoon down twisted roads in Cameroon that wind around between the dunes—to change the rhyme's inopportune, this poetry that does impugn the purity of our commune in Illinois, just near Mattoon ten thousand miles from the lagoon where Gilligan, that goofy goon has made himself a contrabassoon from coconuts he picked at noon, and serenades his pet raccoon in the driving rain (monsoon) and you may think him a buffoon but Ginger's underwear is strewn across the sand because she swooned over the sound of his bassoon and for a tryst it was opportune for the Skipper would not be back soon and Thurston Howell was by the dunes reading poems of Rod McKuen. Now this may all sound picayune but I assure you that this tune from all critique, it is immune because it's Dylan and festooned with lyrics enough for a dozen tunes and from the blues it was hewn by a master at the art of croon(ing) so don't you dare attempt lampoon—there is no sense in trying!

a_genuine_find
(not me, Radio P) (3rd stone, sol, orion belt, milkyway)
Posted: Mar 23, 2010 - 06:15
 
calvin
what a way to start the day

duchamp
(Hardwood Hammock)
Posted: Mar 23, 2010 - 06:15
 
It still speaks to me after all these years.   It was pretty radical for its day.

nagsheadlocal
(North Carolina, the new New Jersey)
Posted: Mar 23, 2010 - 06:11
 
Holy mackerel - I can still remember all these lyrics. Which is either a testament to Dylan's writing or all the hours wasted reading Creem back in the day.

Roger McGuinn's version of this rocks, too.

ubuntourist
(Washington, DC)
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 16:07
 
After the first day and a half of the song, the run-on sentences become a droning buzz better read than listened to.  That said, the first 20 minutes are okay. ;-)

I've just never had the same appreciation for the spoken word, poetry, rap, etc that others have.  I need more melody, less percussion (vocal or otherwise).

ziggytrix
(Dallas, TX)
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 16:03
 
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Acoustic rapping?
 
that's a funny way of sayin Blues.

Susan_Ssun
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 16:03
 
This song sounds current.  The lyrics are still relevant - seriously well written!

stevematic
(sandy eggo)
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 16:02
 
Vocals are surprisingly tolerable

nate917
(2,815 miles from home)
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 16:02
 
 That_SOB wrote:
There is little hope for this generation. Dylan is a cultural icon who moved mountains
with words. Sadly, it is now "cool" to hate Dylan when much of what he has to say is applicable
to the present. War, hate, corruption in government, prejudice, apathy, burned in love, all social commentary, and an invitation to change our "mired in the mud" thinking and actions. But why trouble your small minds with all of that when you can sit in your armchair watching the world go by and attempt to chop down a giant ?  
"And I just said good luck.  " ——— Dylan

 
It has never been cool to hate.  Where did you get that idea?



sirdroseph
(Outer Mongolia)
Posted: Feb 19, 2010 - 15:58
 
One of my favs from D-Bob!{#Bananajam}

medoras
(Anastasia Island)
Posted: Jan 19, 2010 - 06:21
 
 aaronm wrote:
For me, there's bad Dylan and good Dylan.

This would be great Dylan.  {#Music}  Typically, my feelings about his songs are shaped by a tension between my utmost respect for his abilities as a songwriter / lyricist and my distaste for the sound of his voice.  I don't know why, but on this song, his voice doesn't bother me at all.

And the lyrics are phenomenal.
 
Nicely put. This is Dylan at the top of his game and as far as his voice goes, this is one of his many recordings that you could not imagine anyone else covering - unless they could sing like Dylan. What so many Dylan detractors fail to realize is that with Dylan and others who write and sing their own lyrics and music, he wrote to suit his voice - like it or not.



Loonytunas
(and his flying fish)
Posted: Jan 19, 2010 - 06:16
 
Please be over!{#Beat}

ambrebalte
(Beijing)
Posted: Dec 18, 2009 - 20:37
 
 aaronm wrote:
For me, there's bad Dylan and good Dylan.

This would be great Dylan.   
<....>
And the lyrics are phenomenal.

  Precisely - wondeful song and lyrics



SanFranGayMan
(San Francisco)
Posted: Dec 18, 2009 - 20:27
 
Ya know, perhaps if people just tried to appreciate any music for it's era, issues and motivations, they might find something to appreciate rather than something to denigrate. Ya don't have to like it or hate it, just appreciate the time and place in which it was created-then wince or smile, if you can...

That_SOB
(The Dark Side of the Tune)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:47
 
There is little hope for this generation. Dylan is a cultural icon who moved mountains
with words. Sadly, it is now "cool" to hate Dylan when much of what he has to say is applicable
to the present. War, hate, corruption in government, prejudice, apathy, burned in love, all social commentary, and an invitation to change our "mired in the mud" thinking and actions. But why trouble your small minds with all of that when you can sit in your armchair watching the world go by and attempt to chop down a giant ?  
"And I just said good luck.  " ——— Dylan


smdeeg
(SillyCone Valley)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:31
 
 aaronm wrote:
For me, there's bad Dylan and good Dylan.

This would be great Dylan. . . .
 
Couldn't agree more!
 

DaveInVA
(In a crumbling Queen Anne mansion in Damnville, VA)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:30
 
Dylan at the top of his game - great stuff!

peter_james_bond
(Lunenburg, NS)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:29
 
Acoustic rapping?

Stefen
(West Hollywood, CA)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:26
 
Bob Dylan's talent is phenomenal.

Felix_The_Cat
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 - 10:26
 
WTF{#Beat}????!!!!!!

aaronm
(Eugene, Oregon)
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 - 23:23
 
For me, there's bad Dylan and good Dylan.

This would be great Dylan.  {#Music}  Typically, my feelings about his songs are shaped by a tension between my utmost respect for his abilities as a songwriter / lyricist and my distaste for the sound of his voice.  I don't know why, but on this song, his voice doesn't bother me at all.

And the lyrics are phenomenal.


peter_james_bond
(Lunenburg, NS)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 11:15
 
 fredriley wrote:
He is a fine songsmith and poet, and the words you quote are a terrific poem, but his nasal whiney voice makes this listener reach straight for the mute key. I love Dylan songs sung by anyone but Dylan, and I do like his voice in recent years in his blues stuff, but the Dylan voice that all rave about just sounds like a drunk with adenoids to me. But wtf, one person's sucko-barfo is another's godlike, and long may that continue.

Oh, and it is possible to dislike Dylan and still have braincells. It's those who say that "if you don't like X/Y/Z you must be a dense uncultured ignoramus" who are displaying a sub-optimal level of intelligence...
 
Fred, no one could seriously accuse you of being a dense uncultured ignoramus. You do acknowledge that Dylan is a fine song smith and poet; it's his voice that you, and so many others, have trouble with. So be it, he certainly doesn't have a great singing voice. However, I would suggest that when his voice is charged with conviction and emotion, as it is on "Blood on the Tracks" and "Desire", these attributes triumph over the nasal whininess and produce a powerful listening experience.

One would think that Dylan is an artist that is ripe for covers but I can't think of very many great covers of Dylan tunes. The Byrds did a couple of strong Dylan covers. Jimi Hendrix has his amazing cover of "All Along The Watchtower". I like Dave Alvin's cover of "Highway 61", and Neko Case's cover of "Buckets of Tears". Maybe someone should draw up a list of great Dylan covers on one of the forums.


jameyp
(New York via Austin)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 09:50
 
i hardly ever leave negatiive feedback about songs, and when I do, I try to keep to diplomatic.

But this song is driving me crazy!!  SUCKO- BARFO!!

dylan has many great songs, but this one suxx.

{#Frustrated}



jagdriver
(Tunin' in from the aptly-named Grass Valley, CA)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 09:48
 
 fredriley wrote:

He is a fine songsmith and poet, and the words you quote are a terrific poem, but his nasal whiney voice makes this listener reach straight for the mute key. I love Dylan songs sung by anyone but Dylan, and I do like his voice in recent years in his blues stuff, but the Dylan voice that all rave about just sounds like a drunk with adenoids to me. But wtf, one person's sucko-barfo is another's godlike, and long may that continue.

Oh, and it is possible to dislike Dylan and still have braincells. It's those who say that "if you don't like X/Y/Z you must be a dense uncultured ignoramus" who are displaying a sub-optimal level of intelligence...

 
Why you dense uncultured ignoramus!  


Poacher
(Brighton, UK)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 09:48
 
Can I just come in here and say I have listened to this, for what seems like hours. . . have read the lyrics. . . tried really hard to like it and have concluded this track is utter shite. 


mutepoint
(The pies have it)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 09:47
 
Ummm.  No.

I'm sure there's much better stuff that could be occupying this slot in the set.

deepwoodskev
(In a town west of Chicago)
Posted: Sep 15, 2009 - 09:47
 
Yap yap yap.