Blood on the Tracks

Part sixteen of the DYLAN VINYL collection which is a brand-new collection of every single Bob Dylan album on high-quality 180-gram vinyl plus a collectors’ magazine

Dylan’s 15th studio album, Blood on the Tracks, was released in 1975 and has been hailed as one of his greatest works, it’s definitely my favourite. The album is a deeply personal exploration of love, heartbreak, and loss, and is widely regarded as the peak of Dylan’s songwriting prowess.

Blood on the Tracks features ten tracks that are predominantly acoustic, with Dylan’s distinctive voice carrying the emotional weight of each song. The album opens with “Tangled Up in Blue,” a sprawling epic that tells the story of a love affair from various perspectives and time periods. It’s a masterful display of Dylan’s lyrical genius and has become one of his most beloved songs

Throughout the rest of the album, Dylan explores themes of betrayal, regret, and the search for redemption. “Simple Twist of Fate” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that recounts a failed relationship, while “Idiot Wind” is a scathing indictment of a former lover

Side 1
Tangled Up in Blue
Simple Twist of Fate
You’re a Big Girl Now
Idiot Wind
You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

Side 2
Meet Me in the Morning
Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
If You See Her, Say Hello
Shelter from the Storm
Buckets of Rain

My Top Three

1) Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
A complex narrative ballad that tells the story of a bank robbery gone wrong and the people involved in it. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and descriptive language, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their actions.

The song opens with a description of the three title characters: Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts. Lily is a beautiful woman who is loved by many, Rosemary is her jealous rival, and the Jack of Hearts is a mysterious figure who is central to the plot. The story then unfolds through a series of vignettes, describing the bank robbery and its aftermath. There are several twists and turns along the way, including a surprise ending that leaves the listener wondering what really happened

Overall, “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts” is a masterful example of Dylan’s storytelling abilities. The song is a rich tapestry of characters, plot, and emotion, and it rewards careful listening with its many layers of meaning and interpretation.

2) Idiot Wind
Idiot Wind is a raw and powerful song that speaks to the emotions of betrayal and pain. The lyrics are filled with bitterness and anger, as Dylan vents his frustration at a former lover who has wronged him. The song is driven by Dylan’s passionate vocal delivery, which is backed by a swirling mix of electric guitars, drums, and harmonica. Despite its dark tone, “Idiot Wind” remains a powerful and enduring work that captures the raw emotion and intensity of Dylan’s music.

3) Tangled Up in Blue
The song tells the story of a man who reflects on different relationships throughout his life. It depicts the complexity of love and the different emotions that come with it. The lyrics are poetic and introspective, with a haunting melody that stays with you long after the song has ended.