Absolutely Sweet Marie
Bob Dylan
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Well, your railroad gate You know I just can’t jump it Sometimes it gets so hard, you see I’m just sitting here beating on my trumpet With all these promises you left for me But where are you tonight, sweet Marie? Well, I waited for you when I was half sick Yes, I waited for you when you hated me Well, I waited for you inside of the frozen traffic When you knew I had some other place to be Now, where are you tonight, sweet Marie? Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously But then, now again, not too many can be like you, fortunately Well, six white horses that you did promise Were fin’lly delivered down to the penitentiary But to live outside the law, you must be honest I know you always say that you agree Alright so where are you tonight, sweet Marie? Well, I don’t know how it happened, but the Riverboat captain, he knows my fate But ev’rybody else, even yourself They’re just gonna have to wait Well, I got the fever down in my pockets The Persian drunkard, he follows me Yes, I can take him to your house but I can’t unlock it You see, you forgot to leave me with the key Oh, where are you tonight, sweet Marie? Well now, I been in jail when all my mail showed That a man can’t give his address out to bad company And now I stand here lookin’ at your yellow railroad In the ruins of your balcony Wond’ring where you are tonight, sweet Marie
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Song Production"Absolutely Sweet Marie" was recorded by Bob Dylan on March 7, 1966, during the sessions for his groundbreaking album "Blonde on Blonde".
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Album Importance"Blonde on Blonde" is often hailed as one of the first ever double albums in rock history.
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TriviaDespite its popularity among fans, "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was never released as a single.
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Song MeaningLike many of Dylan's songs, the precise meaning of "Absolutely Sweet Marie" is left to interpretation. Nevertheless, many fans see it as a song about longing and frustration.
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Love Life ConnectionSome speculate that the song was written about his estranged wife, Sara Lownds.
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Live PerformancesInterestingly, Dylan did not perform "Absolutely Sweet Marie" live until 1988, over 20 years after its original recording.
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered "Absolutely Sweet Marie", most notably Jason & the Scorchers, whose punk-inflected version was a hit on college radio in the mid-1980s.
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Song StructureThe song is an example of Dylan's signature, enigmatic lyric style, which mingles cryptic symbols and allusions with more straightforward and personal sentiments.
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Song LyricsThe lines "To live outside the law, you must be honest" from this song is often quoted, acknowledged as one of Dylan's signature aphorisms.
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Significant AppreciationRolling Stone have listed this song on their list of ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’.
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Limited ReleaseDespite its significance and popularity, "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was not included in Dylan’s ‘Greatest Hits’ compilations.
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Harmonic StructureThe song uses a blues form but incorporates non-blues-like high major triads.
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RecognitionThe song's infectious energy and memorable lyrics have made it a favorite among Dylan enthusiasts and a staple of classic rock radio stations.
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Delayed Acknowledgement"Absolutely Sweet Marie" was actually quite a "sleeper" in terms of recognition, not receiving its due credit until many years after its birth.
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Important AudienceThe song was listed among ten Dylan songs that the Vatican recommends to its faithful.
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Citation
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"Absolutely Sweet Marie Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 Oct. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/266195/Bob+Dylan/Absolutely+Sweet+Marie>.
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