Of the thousands of albums I've heard this one is my #1 favorite, not a bad song in sight. One song from it 'Idiot Wind' was in his TV special and the live album "Hard Rain", that performance is the best he ever gave I think. A must see.
There was talk of making a movie of this song/story. Dylan was involved in the planning, but as he often does, he got bored with the process, and that ended any talk of a movie. .
This song is very long. And you never want it to end. It makes you think, even after you've heard it many times. Idiot Wind is amazing as well. Very fine reaction.
I bought the "Blood on the tracks" album the day it was released and being a huge Dylan even I was kind was SHOCKED on first listening at how great the album was right in the stratosphere of "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on blonde" and anyone who is hearing this song for the first time please check out the whole album it'll be worth your time!!
In Joan Baez's song Diamonds and Rust the lore is that Dylan called Baez after completing this is the song that Dylan called her about and "sang" it to her over the phone...
It certainly wasn't a sad story for the Jack of Hearts; not only did he get away with the diamonds, but inasfar as I can tell, he also got the girl. It's funny that you mentioned Quinten Tarantino because every time I hear this song, I feel like I've just watched a movie. Like many Dylan tunes, the lyrics for this one will be in my head for the next several days. What a great story. One line that I think is interesting is, "Everybody commenced to do what they were doing before he turned their heads." I believe most writers would have said, 'before they turned their heads'. Instead, Dylan said 'he', which I feel establishes that the Jack of Hearts character as having a commanding presence throughout the story. It's a small, perhaps insignificant point, but to me it intensifies the focus on the Jack of Hearts.
@@TroubadourAtHeart I'd love to see it on stage or film. I've made some cut-paper puppets of the characters and I want to do a stop-motion animation. I think I'll work on the sets (backgrounds) next.
I always say Desire, the album after this, is my favorite Dylan album. It was the first album I bought from him. But if I were honest, song for song, this album is probably better. Black Diamond Bay from Desire is another storytelling song, like this one.
"Black Diamond Bay" is similar and also a great song. It features lots of unusual characters, and a story that I think is much easier to understand than this one.
Although "Hurricane" and "Isis" are the standout songs on "Desire", eventually "Black Diamond Bay" became my favorite song on that album. It's such a great, quirky story. And the thing that clinched it was the conclusion to the song. Dylan drinking beer and watching the News on TV. I won't spoil it for those who have not heard the song yet, but that ending always comes to mind whenever I hear a News story about a tragedy in a far away place that I have never been to.
Bob Dylan while working on this song called Joan Baez from a phone booth to play a little bit of the song for her. They had not spoken to each other for years at that time. The song, "Diamonds and Rust" was inspired by that phone call.
Such a great story. I’ve picked up some details having listened to this a few dozen times, but you did a GREAT job getting the gist of it on one listen.
I heard somewhere that this song was adapted into a movie script on two occasions, but neither project worked out. Would love to see somebody turn this into a movie someday.
I had a memory of somebody actually trying to turn this story into a film. Mind you, I have memories of lots of things that didn't happen so I did a bit of Googling. And apparently there have been two attempts at a screenplay, one of which was commissioned by Dylan. It doesn't look like either of them ever got filmed though.
This song is dying to become a Coen Brothers movie (preferably with John Goodman as Big Jim). There have been two attempts at making it into a movie, but I don't think either made it past initial script treatments.
Saeed, I'm so glad you had a chance to hear this song. This album, "Blood On The Tracks", was recorded as he and his wife were splitting up. Most of the songs are about his feelings during this period. This tune is the only one that seems out of place to the rest. One of my favourite Dylan albums!
Love the little nuances in this song. I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint" As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts The Jack sneaking about dressed in a monks costume and looking like a saint. Thats how he could move around backstage.
You should try the live PBS performance from 1975 of Hurricane. It’s not quite as crisp as the studio version but it’s magnificent and you get to see Scarlets haunting violin.
I wrote this a while back. Nobody seemed to know what I was talking about, so I just sort of forgot about it. But with the movie coming out, I thought I'd revisit it: "Fortunately or unfortunately, I studied philosophy at university. I've been thinking about this. Consider: In the symbiotic relationship between Robert Zimmerman and the persona of Bob Dylan, it's not straightforward to categorize Dylan strictly as either a person or an idea. Initially, Dylan was crafted as Zimmerman's artistic alter ego, suggesting a personification of creative expression. However, as time progressed, Dylan took on a life of his (its) own, influencing Zimmerman's narrative and trajectory. This shift blurs the distinction between personhood and ideation. Dylan, while rooted in Zimmerman's persona, evolved into something more abstract-an amalgamation of artistic expression, social commentary, and cultural iconography. In this sense, Dylan transcends mere personhood and becomes an idea-a symbol of rebellion, authenticity, and artistic freedom. Yet, even within this conceptual framework, Dylan remains tethered to Zimmerman, reflecting the complex interplay between creator and creation. Thus, Dylan exists in a liminal space between person and idea, embodying both the individuality of Zimmerman and the universality of artistic expression."
So good, so much Dylan to listen to, would take a life time. Stories like this one, Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol, Hurricane. Hollis Brown, John Brown, Highlands, so many
Loved this and earlier, and later albums. Wish I'd've been better versed when I saw the Rolling Thunder Revue in '75. Still a monster show, somewhat documented and well-worth the viewing. Dylan's unmatched in musical storytelling imo. I can only dream. Ya woik wit' wotcha got. 🖖🏼🤩🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊
"Hopefully it will make sense at the end." Hah,it's Bob Dylan, good luck with that. Bob doesn't lend himself to easy answers. Vague and oblique are Dylan's favorite calling cards
I always saw this song as a loose retelling of the story of Easter (Holy) Week with the Jack of Hearts as Jesus, Big Jim as Caiaphas, the Boys as the apostles, the hanging judge as Pilate, Lily in the role of Mary Magdalene, and Rosemary as the believer whose faith was changed by the Jack of Hearts. Keep in mind that Lily and Butterfly are symbols of Easter and Christ. "Thinking about her father who she very rarely saw" (God the Father?).
@@johno1765 I think the symbolism lies elsewhere. During this period in his life, Dylan was very interested in the Tarot, coming to it through his (soon to be ex-)wife Sara. There's a ton of explicit references to specific Tarot cards/figures on 'Street-Legal', but there are earlier references as well. The card/figure with which Sara identified, the Empress, appears on the back sleeve of 'Desire'. Dylan identified with the Magician, a trickster figure, a sleight-of-hand (according to a report by I think Larry Sloman, backstage at the Rolling Thunder Revue, Dylan had a large size card of the Magician at his bedstand). A figure whose description matches the Jack of Hearts. In the traditional Tarot cards, the Magician is pictured as surrounded by two types of flowers: the rose and the lily. I don't think Dylan's naming of the characters here is a coïncidence.
@@EricBerger-p3x, interesting-thanks! I just looked up that card and saw the roses and lilies. There's also a sword lying on the table in front of the magician-perhaps the knife used to kill Big Jim? Are there any other Tarot references that you know about in the song?
@@lawreence13 That seems unlikely. This song is basically a whole film, a western heist love triangle. The level of complexity, the foreshadowing, the various cards (King Jim, Queen, Jack) - it’s an enormously intricate story. The hints dropped through: the knife, the drilling sound. It’s a masterpiece. Rocky Raccoon is a fine song, but this is next level.
Great DylanTale if you want another epic narrative do Tempest the story of the Titanic which Dylan says was inspired by Leo Decaprio in the Movie Titanic ! It’s truely another amazing collage . Also look up Christopher Ricks a famous English literary scholarly critic who wrote ‘ Dylans Vision of Sin ‘ a great analysis of Dylan’s songwriting . There is also a great talk Ricks gives on a UA-cam with a group discussion and Q&A . He is a huge fan and advocate probably contributed to Dylans Nobel Prize
This is the only song on this album that I would skip, maybe because I didn't understand it and it was long compared to there rest of the juice on this album. I do know that bobs marriage was coming to an end at this time and all of the other song are about Sara. It may be obvious that Bob is the Jack of hearts and everyone seems to be focused on him. As Bob would say Good Luck ..
This absolutely blew my mind.When I was fifteen years old I couldn't believe music could be like that....
Same 1955
I'm thrilled that you're playing this! 🙂 "Blood on the Tracks" is my favorite Dylan album. I hope you'll explore more of it.
Another great track with superb storytelling! Definitely will get to more of his music and this album.
@SaeedReacts. You're gonna love it! Some of his best storytelling.
It's my favorite Dylan album too. I don't think there is a bad song on the whole album (and I seldom, if ever, say that about any album).
Of the thousands of albums I've heard this one is my #1 favorite, not a bad song in sight. One song from it 'Idiot Wind' was in his TV special and the live album "Hard Rain", that performance is the best he ever gave I think. A must see.
Agreed. It's one you either get, or you don't.
That live performance of idiot wind was epic Dylan!
There was talk of making a movie of this song/story. Dylan was involved in the planning, but as he often does, he got bored with the process, and that ended any talk of a movie. .
This song is very long. And you never want it to end. It makes you think, even after you've heard it many times. Idiot Wind is amazing as well. Very fine reaction.
I bought the "Blood on the tracks" album the day it was released and being a huge Dylan even I was kind was SHOCKED on first listening at how great the album was right in the stratosphere of "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on blonde" and anyone who is hearing this song for the first time please check out the whole album it'll be worth your time!!
a movie in a song. superior talent. i think you'd like the ballad of hattie carroll since you actually listen. good job.
Yessir..we love to hear BOB tell a story!!!!
You can see why Dylan is held in such high esteem after this song 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
100%
In Joan Baez's song Diamonds and Rust the lore is that Dylan called Baez after completing this is the song that Dylan called her about and "sang" it to her over the phone...
Oooh! Interesting!
It certainly wasn't a sad story for the Jack of Hearts; not only did he get away with the diamonds, but inasfar as I can tell, he also got the girl. It's funny that you mentioned Quinten Tarantino because every time I hear this song, I feel like I've just watched a movie. Like many Dylan tunes, the lyrics for this one will be in my head for the next several days. What a great story.
One line that I think is interesting is, "Everybody commenced to do what they were doing before he turned their heads." I believe most writers would have said, 'before they turned their heads'. Instead, Dylan said 'he', which I feel establishes that the Jack of Hearts character as having a commanding presence throughout the story. It's a small, perhaps insignificant point, but to me it intensifies the focus on the Jack of Hearts.
This is a masterpiece of story telling. I always thought someone should've written a screenplay based on it. It would make a great movie.
@@TroubadourAtHeart
I'd love to see it on stage or film. I've made some cut-paper puppets of the characters and I want to do a stop-motion animation. I think I'll work on the sets (backgrounds) next.
I always say Desire, the album after this, is my favorite Dylan album. It was the first album I bought from him. But if I were honest, song for song, this album is probably better. Black Diamond Bay from Desire is another storytelling song, like this one.
"Black Diamond Bay" is similar and also a great song. It features lots of unusual characters, and a story that I think is much easier to understand than this one.
I love the opening:
Up on the white veranda
She wears a necktie and a
Panama Hat
Although "Hurricane" and "Isis" are the standout songs on "Desire", eventually "Black Diamond Bay" became my favorite song on that album. It's such a great, quirky story. And the thing that clinched it was the conclusion to the song. Dylan drinking beer and watching the News on TV. I won't spoil it for those who have not heard the song yet, but that ending always comes to mind whenever I hear a News story about a tragedy in a far away place that I have never been to.
Black Diamond Bay is a perfect song. Gun to my head desert island song.
Bob Dylan while working on this song called Joan Baez from a phone booth to play a little bit of the song for her. They had not spoken to each other for years at that time. The song, "Diamonds and Rust" was inspired by that phone call.
Oh! Cool!
Such a great story. I’ve picked up some details having listened to this a few dozen times, but you did a GREAT job getting the gist of it on one listen.
Yessir
Great reaction again bro..
One of my favorites
As Bob is from MN, I submit this song is a hand of Euchre.
Big Jom: King of Diamonds.
I heard somewhere that this song was adapted into a movie script on two occasions, but neither project worked out. Would love to see somebody turn this into a movie someday.
I heard a Bob Dylan song a few years back that I had never heard before that absolutely floored me. It's called "Murder Most Foul".
I had a memory of somebody actually trying to turn this story into a film. Mind you, I have memories of lots of things that didn't happen so I did a bit of Googling. And apparently there have been two attempts at a screenplay, one of which was commissioned by Dylan. It doesn't look like either of them ever got filmed though.
This song is dying to become a Coen Brothers movie (preferably with John Goodman as Big Jim). There have been two attempts at making it into a movie, but I don't think either made it past initial script treatments.
Saeed, I'm so glad you had a chance to hear this song. This album, "Blood On The Tracks", was recorded as he and his wife were splitting up. Most of the songs are about his feelings during this period. This tune is the only one that seems out of place to the rest. One of my favourite Dylan albums!
I hope that Dylan's music gets a little more attention over the next couple of years, it might really help.
Great reaction as always. Try “Chimes of Freedom” next; a very beautiful, poetic song that no one seems to react to.
Thanks! That one is definitely on my to do list!
“Dark Eyes” as well. Very underrated song.
Yes! Chimes of Freedom is another masterpiece that doesn’t get enough attention.
Love the little nuances in this song.
I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint"
As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk
There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts
The Jack sneaking about dressed in a monks costume and looking like a saint. Thats how he could move around backstage.
This one and Idiot Wind are 🔥🔥🔥
Bravo review 👏👍👍
Try Dylan's "Blind Willie McTell" & "Girl by the Red River Shore", thanks for another great reaction!
You will love idiot wind from the same album. A hurt angry dylan just lets it all out.
Yo, they need to make a movie from this one .lol hello,Ron Howard!!!
Already been done. Ocean's Eleven
@@stevesullivan8705 lol. That's a wild reach.
"Reflection in the knife" came earlier before the pen knife sticking in Big Jim.
Exactly!
@@hlawrencepowellit’s Chekhov’s gun
@@86mapman yes. The earlier reference portents the use of a knife.
@@hlawrencepowellyes it does, hence Chekovs gun. Google that terminology.
@@86mapman I'm a writer. I've known of Chekov's Gun since I was in high school 50 years ago.
This is actually Tarantino's favorite album.
Dylan never finishes a song theres always more but he leaves it up to you to figure out
You should try the live PBS performance from 1975 of Hurricane. It’s not quite as crisp as the studio version but it’s magnificent and you get to see Scarlets haunting violin.
I wrote this a while back. Nobody seemed to know what I was talking about, so I just sort of forgot about it. But with the movie coming out, I thought I'd revisit it:
"Fortunately or unfortunately, I studied philosophy at university. I've been thinking about this. Consider:
In the symbiotic relationship between Robert Zimmerman and the persona of Bob Dylan, it's not straightforward to categorize Dylan strictly as either a person or an idea. Initially, Dylan was crafted as Zimmerman's artistic alter ego, suggesting a personification of creative expression. However, as time progressed, Dylan took on a life of his (its) own, influencing Zimmerman's narrative and trajectory.
This shift blurs the distinction between personhood and ideation. Dylan, while rooted in Zimmerman's persona, evolved into something more abstract-an amalgamation of artistic expression, social commentary, and cultural iconography. In this sense, Dylan transcends mere personhood and becomes an idea-a symbol of rebellion, authenticity, and artistic freedom.
Yet, even within this conceptual framework, Dylan remains tethered to Zimmerman, reflecting the complex interplay between creator and creation. Thus, Dylan exists in a liminal space between person and idea, embodying both the individuality of Zimmerman and the universality of artistic expression."
❤💯❤
So good, so much Dylan to listen to, would take a life time. Stories like this one, Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol, Hurricane. Hollis Brown, John Brown, Highlands, so many
I did react to Hurricane, but not the others. Hope to explore some of these as well.
"Highlands" has some funny lines in it. It's a great song to listen to if you have 18 spare minutes. :)
I second @debjorgo's suggestion of Black Diamond Bay. Another complex Dylan film noir mystery in song.
Loved this and earlier, and later albums. Wish I'd've been better versed when I saw the Rolling Thunder Revue in '75. Still a monster show, somewhat documented and well-worth the viewing.
Dylan's unmatched in musical storytelling imo. I can only dream.
Ya woik wit' wotcha got.
🖖🏼🤩🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊
Best storyteller! Period! Check out "Tweeter and the Monkey Man" next. Another great full story from Dylan. Thanks for sharing.
Dylan's version is an old Western - Joan Baez is a film noir lol But both are a like watching a movie with your ears! lol
My favorite part was when the jack of hearts was dressed as a monk/priest and acted on stage 😂
"Hopefully it will make sense at the end." Hah,it's Bob Dylan, good luck with
that. Bob doesn't lend himself to easy answers. Vague and oblique
are Dylan's favorite calling cards
I've been obsessed with the song for over two decades and have no clear answers.
Funny you mentioned Tarantino. He has said Bob Dylan is his favorite artist and Blood on the Tracks is his favorite album.
I always saw this song as a loose retelling of the story of Easter (Holy) Week with the Jack of Hearts as Jesus, Big Jim as Caiaphas, the Boys as the apostles, the hanging judge as Pilate, Lily in the role of Mary Magdalene, and Rosemary as the believer whose faith was changed by the Jack of Hearts. Keep in mind that Lily and Butterfly are symbols of Easter and Christ. "Thinking about her father who she very rarely saw" (God the Father?).
That's a fascinating interpretation. Thanks for sharing.
@@johno1765 I think the symbolism lies elsewhere. During this period in his life, Dylan was very interested in the Tarot, coming to it through his (soon to be ex-)wife Sara. There's a ton of explicit references to specific Tarot cards/figures on 'Street-Legal', but there are earlier references as well. The card/figure with which Sara identified, the Empress, appears on the back sleeve of 'Desire'. Dylan identified with the Magician, a trickster figure, a sleight-of-hand (according to a report by I think Larry Sloman, backstage at the Rolling Thunder Revue, Dylan had a large size card of the Magician at his bedstand). A figure whose description matches the Jack of Hearts. In the traditional Tarot cards, the Magician is pictured as surrounded by two types of flowers: the rose and the lily. I don't think Dylan's naming of the characters here is a coïncidence.
@@EricBerger-p3x, interesting-thanks! I just looked up that card and saw the roses and lilies. There's also a sword lying on the table in front of the magician-perhaps the knife used to kill Big Jim? Are there any other Tarot references that you know about in the song?
Fascinating
What a great song to react to! Thank you!!
Incredible song! Thanks for watching.
❤❤❤
I always assumed as well it was a wanted poster that Big Jim had seen before.
That Jack of Hearts couldn't keep his hands out of the bank safes. But the women loved him.
"Tin Angel" from the 2012 album Tempest has a similar vibe, story wise, i'd say
Thanks for the recommendation. Will add it to the list.
Why haven’t they made a movie about this?
I think you’d enjoy Nick Cave’s song, “The Ballad of Robert Moore and Betty Coltrane.” More great, suspenseful, storytelling.
Can you imagine being Bob Dylan?
Recently it occurred to me Dylan was trying to emulate the Beatles Rocky Racoon
@@lawreence13 That seems unlikely. This song is basically a whole film, a western heist love triangle. The level of complexity, the foreshadowing, the various cards (King Jim, Queen, Jack) - it’s an enormously intricate story. The hints dropped through: the knife, the drilling sound. It’s a masterpiece. Rocky Raccoon is a fine song, but this is next level.
Yo, the whole thing RHYMES...lol
Lily wears the ring of Big Jim. Rosemary is only _playing the role_ of his wife.
So excited that you finally got to enjoy this masterpiece! Anything off this album is gold just fyi...have a great one Saeed!!!
React to his latest song and his first number one song Murder most foul at age 79
Masterpiece
Great DylanTale if you want another epic narrative do Tempest the story of the Titanic which Dylan says was inspired by Leo Decaprio in the Movie Titanic ! It’s truely another amazing collage . Also look up Christopher Ricks a famous English literary scholarly critic who wrote ‘ Dylans Vision of Sin ‘ a great analysis of Dylan’s songwriting . There is also a great talk Ricks gives on a UA-cam with a group discussion and Q&A . He is a huge fan and advocate probably contributed to Dylans Nobel Prize
There’s a documentary out there on him from years back Have you watched it?
Have not watched that one yet. Definitely need to check it out.
You might be referring to 1967's "Don't Look Back," shot during Dylan's tour of England in 1965?
@@folkmusic99 yup. That’s it. Thanks!
Love on the tracks is 1 van zijn beste en iedereen weet dat hij een fantastisch oeuvre heeft.
Hi sometime could you please react to Bob Dylan's song 'Murder Most Foul' from 2020, when he was aged 79
This is one of the Dylan songs that arguably is better in its alternate (earlier) version: ua-cam.com/video/achOGc4iKIo/v-deo.htmlsi=49O1nWzX94_4gFOL
Thanks for letting me know about this version!
Amazing song, but you're listening to the wrong version. The New York version is the one-just Bob with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica.
😂funny.
Never been a Dylan fan but i do enjoy your channel. Peace
This is the only song on this album that I would skip, maybe because I didn't understand it and it was long compared to there rest of the juice on this album. I do know that bobs marriage was coming to an end at this time and all of the other song are about Sara. It may be obvious that Bob is the Jack of hearts and everyone seems to be focused on him. As Bob would say Good Luck ..
The only song that has nothing to with his marriage. It's a ridiculous reach to find any parallel to his marriage.
Bob had some excellent story telling song. Black Diamond Bay. Is another great mini-movie.