Simple Twist of Fate
Jerry Garcia Band, Jerry Garcia
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They sat together in the park As the evening sky grew dark, She looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones. 'Twas then he felt alone and wished that he'd gone straight And watched out for a simple twist of fate. They walked along by the old canal A little confused, I remember well And stopped into a strange hotel with a neon burnin' bright. He felt the heat of the night hit him like a freight train Moving with a simple twist of fate. A saxophone someplace far off played As she was walkin' by the arcade. As the light bust through a beat-up shade where he was wakin' up, She dropped a coin into the cup of a blind man at the gate And forgot about a simple twist of fate. He woke up, the room was bare He didn't see her anywhere. He told himself he didn't care, pushed the window open wide, Felt an emptiness inside to which he just could not relate Brought on by a simple twist of fate. He hears the ticking of the clocks And walks along with a parrot that talks, Hunts her down by the waterfront docks where the sailors all come in. Maybe she'll pick him out again, how long must he wait Once more for a simple twist of fate. People tell me it's a sin To know and feel too much within. I still believe she was my twin, but I lost the ring. She was born in spring, but I was born too late Blame it on a simple twist of fate.
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"Simple Twist of Fate" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, first released on his 15th studio album "Blood on the Tracks" in 1975.
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Bob Dylan's InfluenceBob Dylan recorded this song in 1974 at the A&R recording studio in New York City.
- The song was initially written by Dylan after his divorce from Sara Lowndes, with whom he had four children. The lyrics reflect the pain of separation.
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Cover Performance by Bryan FerryBritish singer Bryan Ferry, best known as the lead vocalist of Roxy Music, covered "Simple Twist of Fate" for his 2007 Dylan cover album, "Dylanesque."
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Features in Movies and TV showsThe song has been extensively covered by other artists and featured in numerous films and television shows. It appeared in the Coen Brothers' 1993 film "Inside Llewyn Davis."
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Jerry Garcia Band's CoverThe Jerry Garcia Band, a San Francisco Bay-area rock band led by Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, regularly included a cover version of "Simple Twist of Fate" in their live shows.
- Live recordings of the Jerry Garcia Band performing the song are included on the albums "Jerry Garcia Band" (1991) and "Garcia Live Volume 11" (2019).
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Jerry Garcia’s Influence in the SongJerry Garcia was a notable fan of Dylan's work, and his cover renderings often added an improvisational jam band feel to the original songs.
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Music Structure and CompositionDylan's original recording is known for its understated production, with a simple arrangement of acoustic guitar, bass, and harmonica, letting the gripping lyrics take center stage.
- In contrast, Bryan Ferry's version includes a full band arrangement with piano, electric guitar, and backup singers, giving it a more polished rock feel.
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National Archives’ Recognition"Simple Twist of Fate" is considered one of Dylan's best songs, and its hand-written lyrics are held in the collection of the Morgan Library & Museum in New York.
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Song’s Theme"Simple Twist of Fate" is a story about a brief romantic encounter that ends unexpectedly, a theme believed to reflect the dissolution of Dylan's own marriage.
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Other CoversBeyond Bryan Ferry and the Jerry Garcia Band, "Simple Twist of Fate" has been covered by artists like Joan Baez, Jeff Tweedy, and Sarah Jarosz, demonstrating its lasting influence and appeal.
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Citation
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