Absolutely Sweet Marie

Bob Dylan

About Absolutely Sweet Marie

"Absolutely Sweet Marie" is a song written by Bob Dylan, released on his 1966 double album Blonde on Blonde. The song is an exuberantly up-tempo number.


Year:
2013
4:54
213 
#8

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

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

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

33 fans

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".
Album Importance
"Blonde on Blonde" is often hailed as one of the first ever double albums in rock history.
Trivia
Despite its popularity among fans, "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was never released as a single.
Song Meaning
Like 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.
Love Life Connection
Some speculate that the song was written about his estranged wife, Sara Lownds.
Live Performances
Interestingly, Dylan did not perform "Absolutely Sweet Marie" live until 1988, over 20 years after its original recording.
Cover Versions
Numerous 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.
Song Structure
The song is an example of Dylan's signature, enigmatic lyric style, which mingles cryptic symbols and allusions with more straightforward and personal sentiments.
Song Lyrics
The lines "To live outside the law, you must be honest" from this song is often quoted, acknowledged as one of Dylan's signature aphorisms.
Significant Appreciation
Rolling Stone have listed this song on their list of ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’.
Limited Release
Despite its significance and popularity, "Absolutely Sweet Marie" was not included in Dylan’s ‘Greatest Hits’ compilations.
Harmonic Structure
The song uses a blues form but incorporates non-blues-like high major triads.
Recognition
The song's infectious energy and memorable lyrics have made it a favorite among Dylan enthusiasts and a staple of classic rock radio stations.
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.
Important Audience
The song was listed among ten Dylan songs that the Vatican recommends to its faithful.

Discuss the Absolutely Sweet Marie Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "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>.

    Missing lyrics by Bob Dylan?

    Know any other songs by Bob Dylan? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Absolutely Sweet Marie

    346.5K
    2,596     67

    more tracks from the album

    The Complete Album Collection, Vol. 1

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who co-wrote and performs the pop hit Fight Song?
    A Billie Eilish
    B Ariana Grande
    C Rachel Platten
    D Olivia

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Bob Dylan's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Bob Dylan tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io