About the song
Bob Dylan, the enigmatic bard of American folk music, has often used his songs as a platform for social and political commentary. “Political World,” the opening track from his 1989 album Oh Mercy, is no exception. This powerful and uncompromising song offers a scathing critique of the modern world, a place where materialism reigns supreme and spirituality is marginalized.
Produced by Daniel Lanois, “Political World” is a stark and minimalist affair. The song is built around a single, repetitive chord, which creates a hypnotic and unsettling atmosphere. Dylan’s vocals are raw and intense, conveying a sense of anger and frustration. The lyrics are direct and to the point, painting a bleak picture of a world dominated by greed, corruption, and indifference.
Dylan rails against the “political world” that has become so pervasive in modern society. He condemns the obsession with material wealth, the erosion of moral values, and the decline of human connection. The song’s lyrics are filled with vivid imagery, such as “life is in mirrors, death disappears / Up the steps into the nearest bank.” Dylan’s message is clear: we must reject the superficiality and materialism of modern life and strive for a more meaningful and authentic existence.
Despite its bleak outlook, “Political World” is a remarkably powerful and enduring song. It is a testament to Dylan’s ability to capture the spirit of his time and to speak truth to power. The song’s message continues to resonate today, as we grapple with the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
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Lyrics
We live in a political world
Where love don’t have any place
We’re living in times where men commit crimes
And crime don’t have a face
We live in a political world
Icicles hangin’ down
Wedding bells ring and angels sing
And clouds cover up the ground
We live in a political world
Wisdom is thrown into jail
It rots in a cell misguided as hell
Leaving no one to pick up the trail
We live in a political world
Where mercy walks the plank
Life is in mirrors, death disappears
Up the steps into the nearest bank
We live in a political world
Courage is a thing of the past
The houses are haunted, children aren’t wanted
Your next day could be your last
We live in a political world
The one we can see and feel
But there’s no one to check, it’s all a stacked deck
We all know for sure that it’s real
We live in a political world
The cities are a lonesome fear
Little by little, you turn in the middle
But you’re never sure why you’re here
We live in a political world
Under the microscope
You could travel anywhere and hang yourself there
You’ve always got more than enough rope
We live in a political world
Turning and a-thrashing about
As soon as you’re awake, you’re trained to take
What looks like the easy way out
We live in a political world
Where peace is not welcome at all
It’s turned away from the door to wander some more
Or put up against the wall
We live in a political world
Every thing’s hers and his
Climb into the flame and shout God’s name
But you’re not even sure what it is