Ballad of a Thin Man
Million Dollar Bashers, Stephen Malkmus & the Million Dollar Bashers, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Dylan
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
You walk into the room With your pencil in your hand You see somebody naked And you say, "Who is that man?" You try so hard But you don't understand Just what you'll say When you get home Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? You raise up your head And you ask, "Is this where it is?" And somebody points to you and says "It's his" And you say, "What's mine?" And somebody else says, "Where what is?" And you say, "Oh my God Am I here all alone?" Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? You hand in your ticket And you go watch the geek Who immediately walks up to you When he hears you speak And says, "How does it feel To be such a freak?" And you say, "Impossible" As he hands you a bone Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? You have many contacts Among the lumberjacks To get you facts When someone attacks your imagination But nobody has any respect Anyway they already expect you To just give a check To tax-deductible charity organizations You've been with the professors And they've all liked your looks With great lawyers you have Discussed lepers and crooks You've been through all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books You're very well read It's well known Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you And then he kneels He crosses himself And then he clicks his high heels And without further notice He asks you how it feels And he says, "Here is your throat back Thanks for the loan" Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? Now you see this one-eyed midget Shouting the word "NOW" And you say, "For what reason?" And he says, "How?" And you say, "What does this mean?" And he screams back, "You're a cow Give me some milk Or else go home" Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones? Well, you walk into the room Like a camel and then you frown You put your eyes in your pocket And your nose on the ground There ought to be a law Against you comin' around You should be made To wear earphones Because something is happening here But you don't know what it is Do you, Mister Jones?
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Background"Ballad of a Thin Man" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, found on his sixth studio album, "Highway 61 Revisited," released in 1965.
|
Album CollaborationDylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" is considered one of his most influential albums, with "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Ballad of a Thin Man" among his most significant songs.
|
Cultural InfluenceFrequently interpreted as Dylan's critique of the media, and the disconnect between the older generation and the fast-emerging counterculture of the 1960s. It is said to describe someone failing to understand what's happening around them.
|
Lyrics CompositionThe song is known for its surrealistic lyrics, allegedly portraying a "thin man" who is confused and unable to comprehend the changes happening in society and culture during the 1960s.
|
Song StructureIt has a minor-key tonality and is composed of a repetitive, ominous piano-driven melody that complements the dark tone of the lyrics.
|
Live Performances"Ballad of a Thin Man" is one of Dylan's most performed songs, having been played in concerts across multiple decades. According to the site bobdylan.com, the song has been sung in concert over 2,000 times as of 2022.
|
Song Title OriginThe title "Ballad of a Thin Man" is thought to have been inspired by the phrase "thin man" that describes a character in Dashiell Hammett's novels. However, Dylan has never confirmed this.
|
Inspirational ImpactAlthough the exact inspiration for the song is unknown, various theories suggest that it was aimed at a specific journalist or critic who crossed Dylan, or at the older, conventional society unable to understand the changing times.
|
Musical InfluenceThe song has been covered by many artists, demonstrating its vast impact on popular culture and music. Artists like David Bowie and The Grateful Dead are believed to have been inspired by the song.
|
Song's LegacyDespite being over 50 years old, "Ballad of a Thin Man" remains one of Dylan's most powerful and enduring works, studied by academics and enjoyed by audiences around the world.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Ballad of a Thin Man Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/12361228/Bob+Dylan/Ballad+of+a+Thin+Man>.
Discuss the Ballad of a Thin Man Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In