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Bob Dylan — I Contain Multitudes
Album: Rough and Rowdy Ways
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 889









Released: 2020
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Today, and tomorrow, and yesterday, too
The flowers are dyin' like all things do
Follow me close, I'm going to Bally-na-Lee
I'll lose my mind if you don't come with me
I fuss with my hair, and I fight blood feuds
I contain multitudes

Got a tell-tale heart like Mr. Poe
Got skeletons in the walls of people you know
I'll drink to the truth and the things we said
I'll drink to the man that shares your bed
I paint landscapes, and I paint nudes
I contain multitudes

A red Cadillac and a black mustache
Rings on my fingers that sparkle and flash
Tell me, what's next? What shall we do?
Half my soul, baby, belongs to you
I rollick and I frolic with all the young dudes
I contain multitudes

I'm just like Anne Frank, like Indiana Jones
And them British bad boys, The Rolling Stones
I go right to the edge, I go right to the end
I go right where all things lost are made good again
I sing the songs of experience like William Blake
I have no apologies to make
Everything's flowing all at the same time
I live on a boulevard of crime
I drive fast cars, and I eat fast foods
I contain multitudes

Pink pedal-pushers, red blue jeans
All the pretty maids, and all the old queens
All the old queens from all my past lives
I carry four pistols and two large knives
I'm a man of contradictions, I'm a man of many moods
I contain multitudes

You greedy old wolf, I'll show you my heart
But not all of it, only the hateful part
I'll sell you down the river, I'll put a price on your head
What more can I tell you? I sleep with life and death in the same bed
Get lost, madame, get up off my knee
Keep your mouth away from me
I'll keep the path open, the path in my mind
I'll see to it that there's no love left behind
I'll play Beethoven's sonatas, and Chopin's preludes
I contain multitudes
Comments (67)add comment
 dfphillips1 wrote:

I'm sorry, this isn't a song; it's a poem with some vague musical accompaniment. 




You're going to trip over yourself with your narrow perspective.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry, this isn't a song; it's a poem with some vague musical accompaniment. 
Posted 2 years ago by dfphillips1    [ Reply ]
 Paul_in_Australia wrote:

Bob Dylan has provided the soundtrack to my life for fifty years. He is always surprising, and his capacity to explore new ideas is inspirational. From music to whisky, from painting to wrought iron gates, this man is a treasure. Thank you, Bob, you have sustained me when I’m sad, inspired me to be creative, and accompanied me when I’m happy. The single biggest influence on my life after my parents. We are blessed that you are still around: may your song always be sung, and may you stay forever young.



Beautiful.  Those are almost nearly the same words I would say about my own musical muse, the guitar god Carlos Santana.  (and for the same half-century time)  Who btw has guested at several Dylan concerts. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I hate this track, please stop playing it.
Posted 2 years ago by careyanne26    [ Reply ]
Bob Dylan has provided the soundtrack to my life for fifty years. He is always surprising, and his capacity to explore new ideas is inspirational. From music to whisky, from painting to wrought iron gates, this man is a treasure. Thank you, Bob, you have sustained me when I’m sad, inspired me to be creative, and accompanied me when I’m happy. The single biggest influence on my life after my parents. We are blessed that you are still around: may your song always be sung, and may you stay forever young.
Posted 3 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Clearly I never looked at the title of the song and just now realized Bob was NOT stating "I can't take multitudes."  Thought he was just standing up for privacy....silly me.
Posted 3 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
This is so Tom Waits-ish.
Posted 3 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Other names: Sergei Petrov. LMFAO! 

Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
 whatsupdude wrote:

All these people that comment on Bob Dylan these days don't qualify to carry his toothpick, including myself. 


What a weird comment.  He's not god, you know - just a guy who writes songs.  Personally, I've rated this one a 4, and I PSD when it comes on.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
All these people that comment on Bob Dylan these days don't qualify to carry his toothpick, including myself. 
Posted 3 years ago by whatsupdude    [ Reply ]
I would love if this song had a tune...
Posted 3 years ago by rhlrstn    [ Reply ]
A wonderful meditation on his own well-lived life.
Posted 3 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote
Dylan is back to borrowing again; “I contain multitudes" is part of a song/poem written by Walt Whitman, Song To Myselft.




Nothing gets by you. It’s called “Song of Myself” and it’s not a song. That’s just the title. It’s a poem from Leaves of Grass.
Posted 3 years ago by Vlodge    [ Reply ]
 kazoo wrote:


Seems to be a good person to borrow from for a folk singer. You might as well borrow from one of the best.
I'm thinking that many will be borrowing for Dylan for decades to come.



Art is not only culture, it's a conversation with other artists from the past and a guide post for future artists.
Posted 3 years ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
His bobness rollicks and frolics with all the young dudes. That's funny.
Posted 3 years ago by palatin8    [ Reply ]
Only one with Dylan's life experience would reference Rolling Stones as them British bad boys... 
Posted 3 years ago by Dubbelito    [ Reply ]
 Jamus wrote:
Dylan is back to borrowing again; "I contain multitudes" is part of a song/poem written by Walt Whitman, Song To Myself. 
 

Seems to be a good person to borrow from for a folk singer. You might as well borrow from one of the best.
I'm thinking that many will be borrowing for Dylan for decades to come.
Posted 3 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
Yeah he hoped no one would notice. Thanks for pointing that out!

 Jamus wrote:
Dylan is back to borrowing again; "I contain multitudes" is part of a song/poem written by Walt Whitman, Song To Myself. 
 

Posted 3 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Dylan is back to borrowing again; "I contain multitudes" is part of a song/poem written by Walt Whitman, Song To Myself. 
Posted 3 years ago by Jamus    [ Reply ]
Not the biggest Bob fan, but dang, the guy can pen some fine lyrics. 
Posted 3 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
I can hear Leonard Cohen in this song 
Posted 3 years ago by Kelvinclifford    [ Reply ]
Bob Dylan does Leonard Cohen?
Posted 3 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
I much prefer Cowboy Bob versus when he tries to shout over a rock band. In the case of the latter, it's painful on the ears.
Posted 3 years ago by KeithBrofsky    [ Reply ]
And don't forget his Christmas video!!!!




Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Ok.

Christmas wishes. 

See Bobby on the road multiple times in Summer 2021!

Sacrifices will be have to be made, Jeerry! 

Who needs a job, anyway?  
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Yet another masterwork with a nod to Walt Whitman. The Nobel Literature laureate demonstrates why he won ... 
'for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition'.

Bob has no contemporary equal. 
Posted 3 years ago by DW4554    [ Reply ]
He'd plead guilty to listening to Tom Waits, if asked.
Posted 3 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
 Sofa_King wrote:
Horrible
 
If you don't get it, skip it. Otherwise, don't reveal yourself for what you are--truly a sofa king. Obviously, you don't get out much and likely haven't lived much of a life to offer your judgment as if you were a king. Oh, wait. You are! My condolences to those who serve you.
Posted 3 years ago by HomeTuner    [ Reply ]
interesting how i never cared much for Dylan but now  he is nicely growing on me
Posted 3 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
I've got the obligaratory Hendrix perm
and the inevitable pin hole burns
all down the front of my favorite satin shirt ...
Posted 3 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
I rather like this side of Bob... the mellow cowboy ballads. Last time I was him live, it was following Time Out of Mind, which was similar with acoustic band. I was looking for ward to that. Instead, The show was was Bob screaming over a rocker band that was almost painful to the ears. I guess this is a legendary issue for Bob, and of course, it's nobody's business but his.
Posted 3 years ago by KeithBrofsky    [ Reply ]
I just looked at the song title and realized, once again...I misheard.  He is not saying "I can't take multitudes", although it seemed appropriate.
Posted 4 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
Horrible
Posted 4 years ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
Paolo Conte we recognized u :-)
Posted 4 years ago by Froggy_Matt    [ Reply ]
yawn
Posted 4 years ago by flatop    [ Reply ]
Only slightly interesting musically, but what fantastic lyrics.  Not just referencing Whitman but being his own 21st century version of Whitman.  Which reminds me that Dylan was a major figure of the mid 20th century and here he is a fifth of the way into the 21st still making powerful music.  That's five decades of amazing music.  They should have a Nobel prize in music, and Dyland would have been a good candidate, but he earned it in literature too.
Posted 4 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Uh oh. 

Bob is telling a story. 

We should all listen.

Then we should ponder the album cover. 

In that order.   
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill.
Good to hear the new Dylan on RP.
I think it's a great album. 
Posted 4 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
 FlatCat wrote:
Bob Dylan channels Leonard Cohen.
 
Interesting that they are both Jewish but very different

Leonard was a poet - and it showed

Bob is more of a .... ?

Each has plenty of others singing their compositions .... sometimes  more interestingly

I don't think there is much channeling going on here


Posted 4 years ago by radioparadise9    [ Reply ]
Mr. Dylan is a treasure.
Posted 4 years ago by jasko    [ Reply ]
loving this...
Posted 4 years ago by Jamer2k41    [ Reply ]
Excellent!!!
Posted 4 years ago by BebePassiflora    [ Reply ]
Hilarious. Fun. I'm sure Bob enjoyed writing this. 
Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:
As important as the lyrics are with a Dylan song, I'm surprised they aren't posted for this most excellent tune.
 
Fixed.
Posted 4 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
His ragged/ravaged voice lends an urgent, yearning quality to his recent albums that I find quite enchanting. It's easy to imagine the aging artist looking back on his inimitable career and penning such a song without a care for what the rabble might think of his fragility and openness. 
Posted 4 years ago by alexandersmcmillan    [ Reply ]
 msjane wrote:
this is poetry with strumming guitar. the words are ok but BD has never been able to sing....
 
Do you have a buzzing in the ears ?? 
Posted 4 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
 msjane wrote:
this is poetry with strumming guitar. the words are ok but BD has never been able to sing....
 

Do you have a buzzing in the ears ?? 
Posted 4 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
Bob Dylan channels Leonard Cohen.
Posted 4 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
He may be a legend, but wow, this is bad.
Posted 4 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
this is poetry with strumming guitar. the words are ok but BD has never been able to sing....
Posted 4 years ago by msjane    [ Reply ]
"I think of myself more as a song and dance man" -Bob Dylan, 1965
Posted 4 years ago by Tylersmyler    [ Reply ]
As important as the lyrics are with a Dylan song, I'm surprised they aren't posted for this most excellent tune.
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Pretty impressive that someone so advanced in their career (kind word for "old as dirt") can still release an album and it goes straight to the top of the charts.    I believe that Tom Petty's last album was his first #1 album, which makes me really happy and hopeful for this world. 
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:
I am listening. He sounds good. The title may be from Walt Whitman?
 
"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."


Posted 4 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
Mister Dylan the boss of the boss. What a beautiful and quite song  
Posted 4 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
really cant understand the fascination for this mumbling dude. Overrated to say the least
 
Can't wait to hear what you put out when you're almost 80!
I'm digging this myself, call it an 8...LLRP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 morning_biker wrote:
Wait, are you talking to me Bob?  

Huh, no one else here yet.  So I guess you are.
 
talking to us all!
Posted 4 years ago by Dorkus    [ Reply ]
 Tylersmyler wrote:
This is not really a song.. he's just talking and strumming 
 
So vocals and instruments?
Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing some brand new Bob.
This particular song is clearly not Rough and Rowdy!  ; )
Bobby appears to be in a mellow and contemplative mood.
I like it, but I can understand the sentiment expressed by Tylersmyler ("he's just talking and strumming").
For those keeping score, Mr. Zimmerman will be 80 in May.
Posted 4 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 mach-hog wrote:
I am listening. He sounds good. The title may be from Walt Whitman?
 
Yes. It is.
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes."
Posted 4 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
Getting some Cohen vibes here. Normally I'm not a big fan of his singing but I'm liking this one.
Posted 4 years ago by nevar23    [ Reply ]
 Tylersmyler wrote:
This is not really a song.. he's just talking and strumming 
 

You just ruined Sun Kil Moon's career there, fellow
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
really cant understand the fascination for this mumbling dude. Overrated to say the least
Posted 4 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
This is not really a song.. he's just talking and strumming 
Posted 4 years ago by Tylersmyler    [ Reply ]
I am listening. He sounds good. The title may be from Walt Whitman?
Posted 4 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
For the first time in decades, you can understand what he's saying!
Posted 4 years ago by DrDemento    [ Reply ]
Wait, are you talking to me Bob?  

Huh, no one else here yet.  So I guess you are.
Posted 4 years ago by morning_biker    [ Reply ]