Tangled Up in Blue: Deciphering a Bob Dylan Masterpiece

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00:00 Intro
00:49 Title Card
00:56 A Love Song
01:21 Time
01:57 Verse 1
03:34 Musical Arrangement
04:04 Verse 2
04:56 Song Structure
05:45 Verse 3
06:12 Verse 4
07:23 Verse 5 / Vita Nuova
08:38 Verse 6
09:56 Final Verse
10:52 Conclusion

[jeremiahjohnson]

I remember hearing Shelter From The Storm and being absolutely blown away by the images the song created in my mind, I was young and didn't quite grasp the lyrical metaphors so it seemed sacrilegious and frightening in a strange way, but it burned onto my consciousness in a way that was so vivid I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. A few years later I bought Blood on the Tracks and discovered there was even a greater song on that album, which was of course, Tangled up in Blue. For my money, it's Bob's greatest song. I know most people will say Like a Rolling Stone or Blowin' in the Wind but for me Tangled Up In Blue is his finest moment as a songwriter.

[jeffreyjones]

I wrote these lyrics on a on my practice page during an English essay, and I didn't know the teacher was keeping them. She called me up to her desk the next day, and basically told me how big of a fan she was of Bob Dylan as well. Just a fun memory I thought I'd share.

[christinafidance]

I can’t help but think that Bob is laughing at all of this deciphering! He would just say it didn’t mean all of that and move on so I guess we’ll never know. In the end, it all might just be his way of messing with everyone’s heads like he loved to do.

[humanbeing]

The phrase "tangled up in blue" is, by itself, so brilliant that if he'd just come up with that song title and never bothered to record or even write the song itself, Dylan would still be a genius on that basis alone.

[dagalagas]

"Split up on a dark sad night..."
I always thought it was "split up on the docks that night"!

[williamepperson]

1st of all, I'm your #1 fan, please don't ever stop making these! 2ndly, thank you SO much for covering this song, it was the favorite Dylan song of my fiance' that passed a few years ago... So this video really pulled on my heart strings in all the right places, never thought I could get choked up during a video essay, but you've done it sir! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

[pegster]

Beautiful analysis. This song grabbed me by the throat in 1975 and never let go. So gorgeous and so eternally mysterious.

[azme]

Dylan sings the sh** out of this song .. can we talk about that every once in a while?.. dude, is one of the most incredible singers that has ever existed.
If you don't believe me, listen to all the covers of all his songs and ask yourself, beside the handful of obvious ones (Hendrix, etc), no one even comes close to matching what he does vocally. Might not be the most pleasant-sounding voice in the world, but, THAT'S THE POINT.
#theMaster

[loudenkliehr]

Wow. What a deep adventure into a song and album that has meant so much to me since I was 16 and hitchhiking the States. On long, empty hours of car free or ride free road, I sang "Blood on the Tracks:" in order. How a kid that age could be so wrapped up in a work of such longing and yearning has me shaking my head, at 60, that somewhere I had an old soul inside that was infused with the same feelings. There are works of this era--The Who's "Quadrophenia"--and before--"Music From the Big Pink" that have stayed so close to my essence in the same manner.

[VeggiePopper]

On of the most important songs of muy entire life. It's been great to relive its details. I highly appreciate this video. Thanks.

[fed]

Dealing with slaves could imply heroin addicts as they are slaves to the drug.He became withdrawn as In trying to kick the habit. She had to sell everything she owned and froze up inside.Any junkie can relate to this.

[Hugatree]

It's not for nothing that Dylan won the Nobel prize for literature, a first for songwriters as far as I know. His genius for taking us on painful, complex lyrical journey's is almost too much to take in. From the trippy psychedelic world of Mr Tambourine Man, to the cynical Things Have Changed he continues to amaze, astound.

[marylowrey]

Knocked me off my feet nearly fifty years ago, still moves me to bits today… more people who I’ve lost and loved swirl in as the years go by and I rehear this brilliant song♥️

[spacealienjesus]

20 years ago when I was 19 I bought this album around midnight at Wal-Mart on Cd. I put it on and it was raining and this song hit so hard since i had just lost my first real love. I have loved Dylan from that very moment..no one can write such words not even most greatest authors.

[tonyleukering]

"... one of the greatest works of art of the modern age."

I could not agree more. The best of his extensive catalog.

[haydencrawford]

I would love to see you dissect Visions of Johanna like this! That song is truly astonishing.

[teachertool]

Honestly, these video profiles of amazing songs are why I keep coming back to this channel. It might soon be my favourite on youtube. Well done!

[bobblount]

you forgot to mention Dylan was listening and tangled up in Joni Mitchells album 'Blue' over a weekend, which helped inspire the song as he said in an interview in 78'

[nzajflynn]

Hey man, love the video. I’m 32 now, been obsessed with Dylan since I was around 15 or 16. I felt the passion you have for the music come through. And I totally get what you mean about how his songs remind you of memories you haven’t experienced. Sometimes the way he sings a line makes me feel like he’s singing about the exact situation I’m remembering or experiencing.. especially when I was a teenager. Absolutely love Dylan and feel sorry for people that don’t get it.

[arvindhmani]

This song brings so many images to my mind, just as you mentioned. It's like being immersed in a really good book. Dylan is a true master. Really good video!