Man in the Long Black Coat
Bob Dylan
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Crickets are chirpin' the water is high There's a soft cotton dress on the line hangin' dry Window wide open African trees Bent over backwards from a hurricane breeze Not a word of goodbye not even a note She gone with the man in the long black coat Somebody seen him hangin' around At the old dance hall on the outskirts of town He looked into her eyes when she stopped him to ask If he wanted to dance he had a face like a mask Somebody said from the bible he'd quote There was dust on the man in the long black coat Preacher was talking there's a sermon he gave He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved You cannot depend on it to be your guide When it's you who must keep it satisfied It ain't easy to swallow it sticks in the throat She gave her heart to the man in the long black coat There are no mistakes in life some people say It is true sometimes you can see it that way But people don't live or die people just float She went with the man in the long black coat There's smoke on the water it's been there since June Tree trunks uprooted beneath the high crescent moon Feel the pulse and vibration and the rumbling force Somebody is out there beating on a dead horse She never said nothing there was nothing she wrote She gone with the man in the long black coat
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Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Origin"Man in the Long Black Coat" is a song by Bob Dylan that appeared on his 26th studio album "Oh Mercy," which was released in 1989.
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Song ThemeThis song, like many other Dylan songs, draws upon biblical imagery. It tells the story of a woman who succumbs to a mysterious man's charm and consequently leaves her lover. There's room for much interpretation about who the man might be, perhaps a figure of temptation or a devilish character.
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Producer"Man in the Long Black Coat" was produced by Daniel Lanois, a renowned music producer known for his work with U2, Neil Young, and Peter Gabriel.
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Collaborative EffortThe song was written by Dylan, but the final product was achieved through collaboration. Dylan recognized Lanois's contribution by saying that the song was "like a painting coming to life" because of his input.
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Song LengthThe song's original album version runs for 4 minutes and 51 seconds.
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Critical Acclaim"Man in the Long Black Coat" was critically acclaimed and described as one of the standout tracks on the "Oh Mercy" album.
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Song Cover"Man in the Long Black Coat" has been covered by artists like Joan Osborne and Mark Lanegan, indicating both its popularity and influence on other musicians.
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Music StyleThe song is characterized by its minimalistic style, reflecting a moody and melancholic atmosphere. The music helps to create palpable tension, akin to a sense of impending doom in a film narrative.
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Lyrical Excellence"Man in the Long Black Coat" is one of Dylan's lyrically rich songs. The lyrics are filled with abstract ideas, and Dylan generously uses symbolism and personification, adding depth and layers of meaning to the song.
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Album Success"Oh Mercy" was Dylan's best-received album in years when it was released, with "Man in the Long Black Coat" contributing significantly to the album's narrative power and cohesiveness.
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Citation
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"Man in the Long Black Coat Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/18279978/Bob+Dylan/Man+in+the+Long+Black+Coat>.
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