About the song
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” is a classic song penned by Bob Dylan in 1962, which debuted on his influential album *The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan* and was also featured as the B-side to the single “Blowin’ in the Wind.” This song stands out in Dylan’s extensive repertoire for its reflective and heartfelt lyrics, which have resonated with audiences for decades.
The composition of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” is rooted in traditional folk music. The melody borrows from the public domain song “Who’s Gonna Buy Your Chickens When I’m Gone,” a tune Dylan learned from folksinger Paul Clayton. Dylan also incorporated some lyrical lines from Clayton’s song, blending them seamlessly into his own creation. This connection to traditional folk elements gives the song an authentic and timeless quality.
Bob Dylan’s original recording of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” has been widely acclaimed and has inspired many artists to cover it. Notable renditions include Waylon Jennings’ version in 1964, Emilie-Claire Barlow’s interpretation on her 2010 album *The Beat Goes On*, and a hit single by Peter, Paul, and Mary, which made its way into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its numerous appearances on Dylan’s greatest hits compilations, such as *Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. II* (1971) and *The Essential Bob Dylan* (2000). Additionally, it has been featured in live recordings and special releases, including those from the Columbia Bootleg Series, highlighting its continued relevance and popularity.
In essence, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” captures a blend of folk tradition and personal reflection, making it a significant piece in Bob Dylan’s legacy and a beloved song across generations.
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Lyrics
It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If’n you don’t know by now
And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It’ll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m a-traveling on
But don’t think twice, it’s all right
And it ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
And it ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin’ you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
But we never did too much talking anyway
But don’t think twice, it’s all right
So it ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never done before
And it ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
I can’t hear you anymore
I’m a-thinking and a-wonderin’ walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child, I’m told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don’t think twice, it’s all right
So long honey, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
Goodbye’s too good a word, babe
So I’ll just say, “Fare thee well”
I ain’t a-saying you treated me unkind
You could’ve done better but I don’t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right