John Wesley Harding

Bob Dylan

About John Wesley Harding

"John Wesley Harding" is a song by Bob Dylan that appears on his 1967 album of the same name.


Year:
2013
2:57
89 
#4

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John Wesley Harding
Was a friend to the poor
He traveled with a gun in every hand
All along this countryside
He opened a many a door
But he was never known
To hurt an honest man

It was down in Chaynee County
A time they talk about
With his lady by his side
He took a stand
And soon the situation there
Was all but straightened out
For he was always known
To lend a helping hand

All across the telegraph
His name it did resound
But no charge held against him
Could they prove
And there was no man around
Who could track or chain him down
He was never known
To make a foolish move

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


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 »

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Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Historical Context
"John Wesley Harding" is the title track from Bob Dylan's eighth studio album. The album itself was released in 1967 and marked a distinct shift away from the more rock-oriented sound of Dylan's previous two records.
Inspiration
The song was apparently inspired by the life of John Wesley Hardin, who was a notorious American outlaw and gunslinger during the late 19th century. However, Dylan misspelled the name as "John Wesley Harding" instead of "John Wesley Hardin".
Musical Style
The song, like most on the album, features a sparse musical arrangement, boasting a folk and country music vibe against Dylan's prevalent rock style of that era.
Album Session Details
The entire "John Wesley Harding" album was recorded with a small, three-person band, which was a change from the larger, full-band sound that characterized Dylan's prior works.
Lyrical Interpretation
The song's lyrics are purposefully ambiguous and resonate with the mythic, almost Biblical nature of many of the album's songs, proving again Dylan's mastery in storytelling.
Critical Acclaim
The track set the tone for the entire album that was critically well-received, with many praising its more austere, stripped-down sound as a welcome shift from the psychedelic vibe prevalent in the late 60s.
Historical Influence
"John Wesley Harding," and its eponymous album, are considered a significant influence on the alternative country genre that emerged in the following decades.
Limited Radio Exposure
Despite the overall praise, the song "John Wesley Harding" did not receive much radio airplay and is considered one of Dylan's lesser-known works.
Release Fact
The album, including this track, was one of the first releases after Dylan’s recuperation from a motorcycle accident in July 1966.
Public Perception
While the song and album did not initially achieve mass popularity, they have since gained recognition for setting the stage for Dylan's next release, the widely acclaimed “Nashville Skyline”.

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