The 30 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs: #6, “Desolation Row”

American Songwriter ^ | 5/4/09 | Evan Schlansky

[pissant]

“They’re selling postcards of the hanging, they’re painting the passports brown. The beauty parlor is filled with sailors, the circus is in town.”

“Desolation Row” is a true listening “experience.” By the time the song’s 11-plus minutes end, you feel like you’ve just seen a movie. Melodically, it’s a fairly simple song, yet it’s overstuffed with panoramic, awe-inspiring imagery. Dylan’s cast of characters are crammed together, but get along fine. The Phantom of the Opera communes with Casanova, Einstein disguises himself as Robin Hood, and Cinderella, who flirts with Romeo, resembles Bette Davis. Even the harmonica blast at the end is pure poetry.

Special mention must go to Charlie McCoy, who’s fluid, almost classical guitar fills will forever be associated with the song. McCoy’s is one of the stranger stories in rock history, as he’s better known as an accomplished harmonica player, having backed up Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Paul Simon. He was also the longtime musical director for the show Hee Haw. McCoy’s guitar playing also features prominently on “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.”

Contrast a song like “Hard Rain” or “Desolation Row” with a later-period song like the minimalist “If Not For You,” and you’ll understand the casual Dylan fan’s dilemma: “didn’t he used to write really wordy songs? What’s this moon-spoon stuff all about?”

[pissant]

- The letter is probably the Open Letter to Bob Dylan written by Irwin Silber in Singout Magazine condemning Dylan for betraying the left-wing cause. The broken doorknob may refer to the Left no longer having access to the meaning contained in Dylan’s work.

Yes, I received your letter yesterday (About the time the door knob broke) When you asked how I was doing Was that some kind of joke? All these people that you mention Yes, I know them, they’re quite lame I had to rearrange their faces And give them all another name Right now I can’t read too good Don’t send me no more letters no Not unless you mail them From Desolation Row.

[Lou Budvis]

Tied with “Tangled Up in Blue” as my favorite Dylan song.

[MeanWestTexan]

Mine is is the one about driving a Cadillac after a nuclear war.

No idea why, just love it.

[pissant]

I don’t have a definitive favorite. Just an ever shifting top 30 or so.

Here’s one from last night in Scotland...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gq-JzMeixU&feature=related

[ClearCase_guy]

So much of modern poetry is (in my opinion!) childish and unpoetic. Of course, I generally prefer sonnets. I like syllable counts and I like rhyme schemes. Dylan generally has none of that -- but I still consider him a very great poet. His imagery is powerful and immediate: he's not a poseur.

Similarly, many pop singers have (in my opinion!) flat voices. They don't "sing" at all -- they yell or chant. Dylan falls into this category, with his raspy, mumbling voice, his sneer, and his general monotone -- but I consider him a notable singer. The emotion that he puts across in many songs is enough to knock me off my feet.

Dylan is a significant artist.

[neocon1984]

I briefly thought you were taking Jakarta ex-pat’s place on the music posts. I do look forward to them.

I was once a Dylan fan, but have minimal interest these days. Van Morrison improved with age and experience, whereas Dylan did not. If Dylan is changing, I am willing to listen. Van’s secret was that he wrote in a deeply spiritual sense. I have never sensed a strong spritiual pull with Dylan. Hopefully that is coming with age (as age has done for me).

[pissant]

You missed some of Dylan’s best work if you missed the strong spiritual pull throughout his late career. I love Van too, btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrRJV5vFXDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVgLDh0SKNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipiGEJfT1sc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYefcvWe-x0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHY4VQPgc7w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71jbRZEt6eU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFExA_bGfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPOYABx2Aw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5aRqTSYyvI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaOeTqXRBVc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q0tnkdEe7A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdjL7eTti4A

[4Speed]

Nobody sings the blues like blind Willie Mc ? ?

Dylan on Piano with a haunting melody....hard to find live recording.

[4Speed]

Nobody sings the blues like blind Willie Mc ? ?

Dylan on Piano with a haunting melody....hard to find live recording.

[mysterio]

Mine is is the one about driving a Cadillac after a nuclear war.

I love that one.

[John 3_19-21]

“It’s all right Ma, I’m only dy’in.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bjqYPH7rAo

[Mike Darancette]

My favorite.

[neocon1984]

Thanks for the links. I saved them for future viewing.

I may develop more respect for Dylan in his later career, but IMHO Van is still The Man.

[pissant]

Best concert I saw in my life was a double bill of Van Morrison and Bob Dylan at the Columbia River Gorge in George, WA in 1988. (Joni Mitchell was there too, but that was the time spent in the beer hall).

[Melian]

“If You See Her, Say Hello” is my favorite. It never fails to move me.

[freefdny]

Now you see this one-eyed midget

Shouting the word “NOW”

And you say, “For what reason?”

And he says, “How?”

And you say, “What does this mean?”

And he screams back, “You’re a cow

Give me some milk

Or else go home”

.

Because something is happening here

But you don’t know what it is

Do you, Mister Jones?

[pissant]

Blind Willie McTell

Dylan on lead guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2WpA4lmVI&feature=related