In 1978, Bob Dylan was fed up with his ex wife Sarah and decided to write at least an album's worth of material about it. This is just about one song on the album.
The name of the song is: "Is Your Love In Vain?" and contains some of the most directly spiteful lyrics Dylan ever wrote. He does not pull one punch in this song...and that is why it is my favorite song. Maybe as a fellow songwriter, I could relate to the pain Dylan was going through? And despite his pose for this album as a pseudo Elvis character mostly in the clothing department, Dylan came out swinging complete with three killer back up singers that could blow the door off it's hinges! And they did. Elvis had died approximately one year previous to this, and made Dylan's persona even stronger.
Rolling Stone from most reports did not understand this album and criticized Dylan for going "Vegas." This is what I remember anyway. But as time has moved on, and some tastes and styles have changed...Rolling Stone is not laughing so hard anymore about this 1978 Bob Dylan masterpiece!
The song starts out with a B-3 organ, electric rhythm guitar, full horn section and a full rhythm section playing what almost sounds like some kind of funeral march. What follows are the lyrics:
"IS YOUR LOVE IN VAIN?" by Bob Dylan (c)1978
DO YOU LOVE ME
OR ARE YOU JUST EXTENDING GOOD WILL
DO YOU NEED ME HALF AS BAD AS YOU SAY
OR ARE YOU JUST FEELING GUILT
CHORUS:
I BEEN BURNED BEFORE
AND I KNOW THE SCORE
SO YOU WON'T HEAR ME COMPLAIN
WILL I BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU
OR IS YOUR LOVE IN VAIN
ARE YOU SO FAST THAT YOU CANNOT SEE
THAT I MUST HAVE SOLITUDE
WHEN I AM IN THE DARKNESS
WHY DO YOU INTRUDE
CHORUS:
DO YOU KNOW MY WORLD
DO YOU KNOW MY KIND
OR MUST I EXPLAIN
WILL YOU LET ME BE MYSELF
OR IS YOUR LOVE IN VAIN
BRIDGE:
WELL I BEEN TO THE MOUNTAIN
I'VE BEEN IN THE WIND
I BEEN IN AND OUT OF HAPPINESS
I HAVE DINED WITH KINGS
I'VE BEEN OFFERED WINGS
AND I'VE NEVER BEEN TOO IMPRESSED
ALL RIGHT I'LL TAKE A CHANCE
I WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
IF I'M A FOOL YOU CAN HAVE THE NIGHT
YOU CAN HAVE THE MONEY TOO
CHORUS:
CAN YOU COOK AND SEW
MAKE FLOWERS GROW
DO YOU UNDERSTAND MY PAIN
ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK IT ALL
OR IS YOUR LOVE IN VAIN
REPEAT LAST CHORUS:
These are my favorite Bob Dylan lyrics...and that is why it is my favorite Dylan song, and for that matter my favorite song period. By the way...that is my right to like and maybe even love this song. You may like whatever else you want. Some people have criticized me for liking this song on this site which I resent. Maybe you should listen for yourselves to this song and others (on "Street Legal") and then you can draw a conclusion that is educated not just hateful. I wonder if that's possible? Please read these lyrics carefully before you jump to conclusions. Thank you to Bob Dylan for writing such a timeless song and for making an album as strong as "Street Legal." As a listener, songwriter & fan I appreciate what Bob Dylan was trying to do back in 1978 no matter how misunderstood it was at the time. The time to embrace this song as a master work has come. And it will remain my number one song, no matter what somebody else sais.
.
Comments ()