About the song
*Tangled Up in Blue* is a remarkable song by Bob Dylan, featured as the opening track on his 15th studio album, *Blood on the Tracks*, which was released on January 20, 1975. This song, widely celebrated for its intricate lyrics and varied narrative perspectives, marks a significant point in Dylan’s career. It reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been praised as one of Dylan’s most complex and compelling compositions.
The song was initially recorded in September 1974 in New York City. These early sessions produced multiple takes, showcasing different lyrical variations and performances. However, Dylan decided to re-record the song later that year, on December 30, at Sound 80 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This re-recording, produced by Dylan’s brother David Zimmerman, was a significant departure from the New York versions, featuring a new arrangement and different lyrics.
Dylan’s creative process for *Tangled Up in Blue* was influenced by several factors. After his comeback tour with The Band and a period of personal reflection following his separation from his wife, Sara, Dylan moved to a farm in Minnesota. Here, he began crafting the songs for *Blood on the Tracks*. During this period, Dylan was influenced by art classes he took with Norman Raeben, who taught him about a fluid, non-linear approach to time. This influence is evident in the song’s narrative structure, where past, present, and future intertwine.
The Minneapolis version of *Tangled Up in Blue* featured a full band, including local musicians whom Dylan had not previously worked with. This recording became the version included on the album, and its distinct sound and lyrical changes contributed to its critical acclaim. The song’s detailed storytelling and innovative structure earned it a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Dylan has performed *Tangled Up in Blue* live over 1,600 times, showcasing its enduring impact on both him and his audience. The song has also seen several alternate versions released, including outtakes and remixes that offer additional insights into its creation.
Overall, *Tangled Up in Blue* remains a standout track in Dylan’s extensive catalog, revered for its lyrical depth and artistic innovation.
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Lyrics
Early one mornin’ the sun was shinin’
I was layin’ in bed
Wondrin’ if she’d changed at all
If her hair was still red
Her folks they said our lives together
Sure was gonna be rough
They never did like
Mama’s homemade dress
Papa’s bank book wasn’t big enough
And I was standin’ on the side of the road
Rain fallin’ on my shoes
Heading out for the east coast
Lord knows I’ve paid some dues
Gettin’ through
Tangled up in blue
She was married when we first met
Soon to be divorced
I helped her out of a jam I guess
But I used a little too much force
We drove that car as far as we could
Abandoned it out west
Split up on a dark sad night
Both agreeing it was best
She turned around to look at me
As I was walkin’ away
I heard her say over my shoulder
We’ll meet again some day
On the avenue
Tangled up in blue
I had a job in the great north woods
Working as a cook for a spell
But I never did like it all that much
And one day the axe just fell
So I drifted down to New Orleans
Where I was looking for to be employed
Workin’ for a while on a fishin’ boat
Right outside of Delacroix
But all the while I was alone
The past was close behind
I seen a lot of women
But she never escaped my mind
And I just grew
Tangled up in blue
She was workin’ in a topless place
And I stopped in for a beer
I just kept lookin’ at the side of her face
In the spotlight so clear
And later on as the crowd thinned out
I’s just about to do the same
She was standing there in back of my chair
Said to me, Don’t I know your name?
I muttered somethin’ under my breath
She studied the lines on my face
I must admit I felt a little uneasy
When she bent down to tie the laces
Of my shoe
Tangled up in blue
She lit a burner on the stove
And offered me a pipe
I thought you’d never say hello, she said
You look like the silent type
Then she opened up a book of poems
And handed it to me
Written by an Italian poet
From the thirteenth century
And everyone of them words rang true
And glowed like burnin’ coal
Pourin’ off of every page
Like it was written in my soul
From me to you
Tangled up in blue
I lived with them on Montague Street
In a basement down the stairs
There was music in the cafés at night
And revolution in the air
Then he started into dealing with slaves
And something inside of him died
She had to sell everything she owned
And froze up inside
And when finally the bottom fell out
I became withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keepin’ on
Like a bird that flew
Tangled up in blue
So now I’m goin’ back again
I got to get to her somehow
All the people we used to know
They’re an illusion to me now
Some are mathematicians
Some are carpenters’ wives
Don’t know how it all got started
I don’t know what they’re doin’ with their lives
But me, I’m still on the road
Headin’ for another joint
We always did feel the same
We just saw it from a different point of view
Tangled up in blue