Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” is one of his most iconic and enigmatic songs. Here are some interesting facts about it:
Length and Structure:
- Epic Length: Clocking in at 11 minutes and 21 seconds, it’s the longest track on his seminal album Highway 61 Revisited and one of his longest studio recordings.
- Surreal Vignettes: The song is structured as a series of disconnected, surreal vignettes featuring a large cast of characters, both historical and fictional. This gives it a dreamlike, almost chaotic feel.
Lyrics and Meaning:
- “Postcards of the Hanging”: The jarring opening line, “They’re selling postcards of the hanging,” is widely believed to be a direct reference to a real-life lynching of three Black men in Duluth, Minnesota (Dylan’s hometown) in 1920, where souvenir postcards of the event were indeed sold. Dylan’s father, Abram Zimmerman, was eight years old at the time and lived only two blocks from the scene.
- Literary Allusions Galore: The song is a dense tapestry of literary, mythological, biblical, and historical references. Characters like Cinderella, Romeo, Ophelia, Einstein, Casanova, Ezra Pound, and T.S. Eliot appear in unexpected and often subversive roles.
- Influence of Modernist Poetry: Many scholars and critics point to T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” as a significant influence on “Desolation Row,” particularly in its fragmented structure and portrayal of societal decay. Some also suggest influences from Jack Kerouac’s Desolation Angels and John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row.
- A “Folk Song of the Absurd”: The song has been described as a “folk song of the absurd” due to its displaced images and Kafkaesque parade of characters.
- Interpretation: While interpretations vary widely, many see “Desolation Row” as a commentary on the societal anxieties, hypocrisy, and disillusionment of 1960s America. Some view “Desolation Row” itself as a state of mind, a place for outsiders who have rejected conventional norms, or even a representation of the madness and futility of the modern world.
- Dylan’s Ambiguity: Dylan himself has often been elusive about the song’s specific meaning. When asked where “Desolation Row” was, he once replied, “Oh, that’s some place in Mexico, it’s across the border,” which is likely a humorous deflection.
Recording and Musicality:
- Acoustic Gem on an Electric Album: “Desolation Row” is the only track on Highway 61 Revisited that does not feature an electric guitar in its final album version. Instead, it features the distinctive flamenco-style acoustic guitar of Charlie McCoy.
- Alternate Electric Take: An earlier electric version of the song was recorded during the Highway 61 Revisited sessions, featuring Al Kooper on electric guitar and Harvey Brooks on electric bass. This version was later released on The Bootleg Series Vol. 7: No Direction Home: The Soundtrack.
- Music vs. Lyrics: Despite the often bleak and unsettling lyrics, the music itself is described as “enchanting” or “jaunty,” creating a fascinating contrast that some argue emphasizes the constancy of life, even amidst horrors.
Impact and Legacy:
- Crowning Poetic Achievement: Many consider “Desolation Row” to be one of Dylan’s greatest poetic achievements, blurring the lines between music and literature.
- Cultural References: The song has been referenced in other works, including Joe Strummer’s “Coma Girl” and the graphic novel Watchmen, which even named its first chapter after a line from the song (“At Midnight All the Agents”).
- Live Performances: Dylan has performed “Desolation Row” numerous times throughout his career, with recordings appearing on various live albums. There’s even a story of him being overcome with emotion and leaving the stage during a performance of the song in the early 1990s.
Sources:
- “Highway 61 Revisited” Album Information:
- “Postcards of the Hanging” (Duluth Lynching Connection):
- Minnesota Historical Society – The Duluth Lynchings
- Star Tribune – Dylan’s ‘Desolation Row’ lyrics may reference Duluth lynchings
- Note: While the connection is widely accepted and discussed by biographers, Dylan himself has not explicitly confirmed it.
- Literary Allusions, Influences, and Interpretations:
- Heylin, Clinton. Bob Dylan: Behind the Shades Revisited. William Morrow, 2001. (For general biographical context, recording details, and lyrical analysis)
- Heylin, Clinton. Revolution in the Air: The Songs of Bob Dylan, 1957-1973. Chicago Review Press, 2009. (Detailed song-by-song analysis)
- Ricks, Christopher. Dylan’s Visions of Sin. Ecco, 2004. (For in-depth literary analysis of lyrics)
- Rolling Stone – 100 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs: ‘Desolation Row’ (Often features insights from critics and scholars)
- Recording Details (Acoustic vs. Electric, Musicians):
- Bob Dylan Official Website – Highway 61 Revisited (For album tracklist and some credits)
- Marcus, Greil. Like a Rolling Stone: Bob Dylan at the Crossroads. PublicAffairs, 2005. (For context of the electric shift and recording sessions)
- Liner Notes from The Bootleg Series Vol. 7: No Direction Home: The Soundtrack (For details on alternate takes and session musicians)
- Cultural References:
- Watchmen Wiki – At Midnight All the Agents (Confirms chapter title)
- Genius.com – Joe Strummer – Coma Girl Lyrics (References to “Desolation Row” in the lyrics)
- Live Performances / Anecdotes:
- Accounts of live performances and specific incidents are often found in concert reviews, tour books, and comprehensive biographies like those by Heylin and Sounes.
- Searching for a Gem – Desolation Row (various live recordings) (Fan site with comprehensive details on live versions)
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