It has come to my attention that several of today's "rock" artists, have been attempting to capture a lyrical sense of deepness and spirituality. When in fact that are merely shallowing their lyrics to the point of inevitable ridicule in comparison to the lyrics of Bob Dylan in similar areas.
From Jewel's album Spirit, songs such as "Hands" contain the lyrics:
When lyrics are so blatant, thus losing their symbolic characteristics, so is the meaning and artistic value. She wears things like pillow cases, Bob wears top hats and police jackets. Jewel says in the song "You Were Meant for Me" on the album Pieces of You,
Hmmmm. Very interesting. I'm glad I was meant for you. But actually I'm thinking about joining the circus, sorry Jewel. This same concept is used in "Like a Rolling Stone" on the Highway 61 album.
I think with a little thought provoking words, I am more apt to be a better person listening to Bob Dylan. One more lyrical analysis, Jewel's song "Foolish Games,"
Bob probably, before Miss Jewel was born, put the following song "Desolation Row" on the album Highway 61.
In the end only kindness matters.
I will get down on my knees,
and I will pray.
What does that mean? I don't know. I think it means that we should be nice and say goodnight prayers. I think that in these lines she is being a little too literal and taking us all to be simpletons. A correct way of phrasing what she is trying to say would be like "Shelter from the Storm" on Dylan's Blood on the Tracks album.
'Twas in another lifetime,
one of toil and blood.
When blackness was a virtue
and the road was full of mud.
I came in from the wilderness,
a creature void of form.
"Come in," she said,
"I'll give you shelter from the storm."
Dreams last so long
Even after you're gone
I know, that you love me
And soon you will see
You were meant for me
And I was meant for you
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
Well in case you failed to notice,
In case you failed to see,
This is my heart bleeding before you,
This is me down on my knees
These foolish games are tearing me apart
You thoughtless words are breaking my heart
You're breaking my heart
Now the moon is almost hidden
The stars are beginning to hide
The fortunetelling lady
Has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel
And the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love
Or else expecting rain
And the Good Samaritan, he's dressing
He's getting ready for the show
He's going to the carnival tonight
On Desolation Row.