NATALIE COLE - Gotta serve somebody (with lyrics)

A solid Natalie Cole performance of a non-traditional (60s and 70s) Dylan song!

From her album, "Snowfall on the Sahara" (1999), Natalie Cole delivers a message which has universal appeal. Dylan wrote it during his "born again" days (album: "Slow Train Coming" - 1979); Natalie Cole sang it with heart given her turnaround in life which eventually happened in 1983 following a tumultous life in the 1970s.

The lyrics paint a mosaic of bits and pieces of what goes on in the world....whether one is "serving the devil or the Lord".

Although Dylan was composing from a Christian perspective, I believe that in today's world, it's important to reflect the diverse ways in which the title lends itself.

Two verses from the original song were omitted in the Cole version but Dylan composed one new verse just for her.

[saintsamaritan]

I like other versions of this song but this one with Natalie and her clear distinct phrasing and lovely voice along with a great choir is excellent.

[jameshamiter]

In the year 2020, the video is even more on point...

[fullplate]

I LOVE this approach to the truth presented by Mr. Bob Dylan. And it's a fact: you... ALL WILL bend the knee.

[samwood]

This is hands down the best cover of the Dylan classic.  It absolutely rocks!

[davidaccord]

Natalie Cole at her best!  These album, "Snowfall on the Sahara" is terrific!

[terrenceragin]

Love it.  We all got to Serve Somebody. 

[publicjsemail]

From another song - "Simply the best"! Beautiful song, wonderful singer...images were fantastic .... well done!

[TREYOLDHIPPIE]

naw! thank U.. for great artistry, efforts to share, and finding this song;;;
what a combination of greatness- i m not ly-n

[keithalc]

Well Done/ Good for my critical thinking class. Who you going to serve? Career path? Make a difference? I have always enjoyed Dylan's message. So true. We make choices. Powerful image with Rev Jones and goat followed by Jimmy Carter/ habitat for humanity. ...True representation that people of many religions serve the Lord...

[Hoganbeg]

Interestingly, Bob Dylan wrote the additional lyrics especially for her and this recording; my favorite version.

[carmsfavtoo]

I had no idea Natalie recorded this wonderful song. I love this version! Thank you, Eileen. Great photos to go along with the music, as usual=)
Carma

[Adamfulgence]

Thanks again for watching and for your wonderful comments! :-))

[Adamfulgence]

Thanks Carma! It's always so reassuring to see your name. :-))

[moorek]

The heavyweight champion just met who he served.

[Adamfulgence]

She's something, isn't she!!

[nomadtraveller]

Never heard this version Natalie Cole!

[athreefoldcord]

Joshua 24:15Amplified Bible (AMP)15 If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Amplified Bible (AMP)

[ArtsKris]

J'aime ton imagination, ton talent créatif est sans limite pour aller chercher la bonne image. En France il y a un magasine dont le leitmotif est "le poids des mots le choc des photos". Un peu comme ton remarquable travail.

[perrycox]

You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage
You may be a business man or some high-degree thief
They may call you doctor or they may call you chief
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk
You may be the head of some big TV network
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame
You may be living in another country under another name
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a construction worker working on a home
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome
You might own guns and you might even own tanks
You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side
You may be workin' in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair
You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray
You may call me anything but no matter what you say
Still, you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody