It’s Not Aimed at Anyone; It’s Just Escapin’ on the Run
One of the most popular songs that Bob Dylan has ever written and performed is a song entitled “Mr. Tambourine Man.” The song itself is a haunting melody of the harmonica and a stripped down guitar accompaniment. Dylan’s raggedy voice captures the feeling of weariness and desolation that the song demands.
“Mr. Tambourine Man” would remind your of either the tiredness of a singer traveling on the road for songs, or someone who has been wary about life recently. With the opening lyrics of “I’m not sleepy, and there is no place I’m going to” makes you think that the singer has not had a wink of sleep, and is looking for companionship.
The lyrical masterpiece does not stop there. The song is lyrically rich with vivid imagery of the singer. It also tells he feels about his current state, his hopes, and dreams, how he longs to run away from the norm of his life. Honestly, “Mr. Tambourine Man” deserve the praise and recognition he deserves.
Come, take a listen down below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMc8jcvTZdQ
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, Play a Song for Me
Mr. Tambourine Man does, in fact, exist. His name was Bruce Langhorne. He was a folk musician who played with Dylan. He was a prodigy at music but had unfortunately lost three of his digits to an accident. However, he was not deterred by his disability. Langhorne found a way to work around his missing fingers and learned to play the guitar – his style? Fingerpicking. And, he was gosh dang good at it. He said in one interview,
“I got to be a very good accompanist because I was really forced to listen.”
Langhorne was a very accomplished musician. He would often play with other lead musicians as well. But, he would often refer to his work with Dylan as some of his most beautiful works. The song “Mr. Tambourine Man” was supposedly inspired by him. Langhorne arrived for a recording session holding a giant Turkish frame drum, complete with jingle-jangling bells attached to its edges.
He was an accomplished businessman, building his hot-sauce company from the ground up. Langhorne never stopped pursuing his music until his stroke, and his death. He released a self-titled album in 2011.
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Tags
Blues, Blues Country, bob dylan, Bruce Langhorne, classic country, Mr. Tambourine Man