Song for Bob Dylan

David Bowie

About Song for Bob Dylan

"Song for Bob Dylan" is a song written by David Bowie for his 1971 album Hunky Dory. The song references Bob Dylan's 1962 homage to Woody Guthrie, "Song to Woody". Yet while Dylan opens with "Hey, hey, Woody Guthrie, I wrote you a song," Bowie addresses Dylan by his birth name saying, "Now, hear this, Robert Zimmerman, I wrote a song for you."In the song, Bowie also describes Bob Dylan's voice "like sand and glue" which is similar to how Joyce Carol Oates described it upon first hearing Dylan: "When we first heard this raw, very young, and seemingly untrained voice, frankly nasal, as if sandpaper could sing, the effect was dramatic and electrifying. " 


Year:
1971
4:11
697 
#4

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Oh, hear this Robert Zimmerman
I wrote a song for you
About a strange young man called Dylan
With a voice like sand and glue
Some words had truthful vengeance
That could pin us to the floor
Brought a few more people on
And put the fear in a whole lot more

Ah, here she comes
Here she comes, here she comes again
The same old painted lady
From the brow of the superbrain
She'll scratch this world to pieces
As she comes on like a friend
Couple of songs from your old scrapbook
Could send her home again

Gave your heart to every bedsit room, at least a
Picture on my wall
And you sat behind a million pair of eyes
And told them how they saw
Then we lost your train of thought
Your paintings are all your own
While troubles are rising, we'd rather be scared
Together than alone

Ah, here she comes
Here she comes, here she comes again
The same old painted lady
From the brow of the superbrain
She'll scratch this world to pieces
As she comes on like a friend
But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook
Could send her home again

Now hear this, Robert Zimmerman
Though I don't suppose we'll meet
Ask your good friend Dylan
If he'd gaze a while down the old street
Tell him we've lost his poems
So we're writing on the walls
Give us back our unity
Give us back our family
You're every nation's refugee
Don't leave us with their sanity

Ah, here she comes
Here she comes, here she comes again
The same old painted lady
From the brow of the superbrain
She'll scratch this world to pieces
As she comes on like a friend
But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook
Could send her home again

Ah, couple of songs from your old scrapbook
Could send her home again
Oh, here she comes
Here she comes, and here she comes

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David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known by his stage name David Bowie ( /ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee), was an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and considerable eclecticism of his work. more »

30 fans

Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, TINTORETTO MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Song for Bob Dylan" was written and performed by British musician David Bowie. Bowie is globally recognized for his distinctive voice and his eclectic mix of musical styles that spanned across six decades of his career.
Album Information
"Song for Bob Dylan" is a track on Bowie's fourth studio album, "Hunky Dory", which was released in December 1971.
Inspiration
As the title suggests, the song was written as a tribute to legendary American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was Bowie's attempt to capture the spirit and influence of Dylan's early music.
Lyrics
Bowie refers to Dylan by his birth name, Robert Zimmerman, in the lyrics: "Oh, hear this, Robert Zimmerman, I wrote a song for you".
Writing Style
The song is assumed to be written in the style of an early Dylan song, using abstract imagery and social commentary, in a likely attempt to mimic Dylan's signature writing style.
Use of Sarcasm
Despite being a tribute, the song is known for its sarcasm. Some critics interpret it as Bowie's way of challenging Dylan to maintain his early commitment to political and social issues in his music.
Reception
"Song for Bob Dylan" did not become as popular as other tracks on the "Hunky Dory" album, like "Changes" or "Life On Mars", but it has since gained appreciation for its lyrics and Bowie's vocal delivery.
Dylan's Reaction
Bob Dylan's response to the song remains unknown, as he has never publicly commented on it.
Cover Versions
Many artists have covered the song in tribute to both Bowie and Dylan, including Robyn Hitchcock and Okkervil River.
Live Performances
Despite the fact that Bowie performed many songs from the "Hunky Dory" album in his concerts, "Song for Bob Dylan" was rarely included in his live performances. It was played in some shows of his 1972 tour.

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