About the song
*Lay Lady Lay* is a song by Bob Dylan, first released in 1969 on his album *Nashville Skyline*. This song is notable for its departure from Dylan’s earlier vocal style. Unlike the sharp, nasal tones he was known for, Dylan sings *Lay Lady Lay* in a smooth, warm croon. This softer style is characteristic of the *Nashville Skyline* album, which reflects a more mellow and accessible sound.
The song was originally intended for the film *Midnight Cowboy*, but it did not make it into the final cut. Although there are various stories about its inspiration, including suggestions that it was written for his wife, Sarah Lowndes, or even as a duet with Barbra Streisand, the exact origin remains a bit ambiguous. In a 1971 interview, Dylan himself mentioned that the song was written with Streisand in mind.
*Lay Lady Lay* was released as a single in July 1969 and quickly became one of Dylan’s most successful hits. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. This made it Dylan’s fourth top 10 hit in the U.S. and one of his most commercially successful singles.
In the recording process, Dylan used a new vocal style that was partly attributed to his decision to quit smoking. However, some early recordings suggest that Dylan had experimented with similar vocal tones before. The track’s production featured a distinctive arrangement with drums, bongos, and cowbells, created after a bit of experimentation. Drummer Kenny Buttrey, who initially struggled with the drum part, ended up combining both bongos and cowbells, creating a unique sound for the track.
The song also left a significant mark on other artists. Don Everly of the Everly Brothers recalled Dylan performing parts of the song for them, which left a memorable impression despite initial confusion over the song’s lyrics. The Everly Brothers later covered *Lay Lady Lay* on their 1984 album, *EB 84*.
*Lay Lady Lay* even touched Madonna, who recalled listening to the song during her adolescence. Despite not being a sad song, she found herself emotionally moved by it during a challenging period of her youth.
Overall, *Lay Lady Lay* is celebrated for its gentle, engaging melody and Dylan’s distinctive vocal performance, marking it as a significant piece in his musical evolution and popular culture.
Video
Lyrics
Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Whatever colors you have
In your mind
I’ll show them to you
And you’ll see them shine
Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay
Stay with your man awhile
Until the break of day
Let me see you make him smile
His clothes are dirty, but his-
His hands are clean
And you’re the best thing that he’s
Ever seen
Stay, lady, stay
Stay with your man awhile
Why wait any longer for the world to begin?
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love?
When he’s standing, in front of you
Lay, lady, lay
Lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay
Stay while the night is still ahead
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay
Stay while the night is still ahead