Idiot Wind
Encyclopedia
"Idiot Wind" is a song by Bob Dylan
. It appeared on his album Blood on the Tracks
.
The song was likely to have been written in the summer of 1974, after his comeback tour
with The Band
that year. Working on a suggestion from his brother, Dylan re-recorded half the songs on Blood on the Tracks, including "Idiot Wind". The re-recorded versions were radical departures from the original recordings, and "Idiot Wind" saw a tremendous change, including the adding of a full band backing from an essentially solo acoustic recording. The sessions in which he re-recorded these songs took place after the initial pressing of Blood on the Tracks, however, and the session musicians Dylan used were not given credit for their work on the album sleeves.
The re-recorded version of the song, done in Minneapolis and issued on Blood on the Tracks, is listed as 7:48 long. The original recording, done in New York and eventually released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3, runs 8:52 long.
A raucous live version, listed at 10:21 long, is included as the closing track to Hard Rain.
Even though Dylan claims that the song's lyrics have no relation to the messy situation of his marriage to Sara Dylan
, his son Jakob Dylan
has stated about the album in interviews that "The songs are my parents talking".
The song was #16 on American Songwriter magazine's The 30 Greatest Dylan Songs.
when asked the question "What one song would work as the soundtrack to your life?" replied "Idiot Wind".
Some of the lyrics to "Idiot Wind" are mentioned in the song "Only Wanna Be With You
" by the band Hootie and the Blowfish.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. It appeared on his album Blood on the Tracks
Blood on the Tracks
Blood on the Tracks is Bob Dylan's 15th studio album, released by Columbia Records in January 1975. The album marked Dylan's return to Columbia after a two-album stint with Asylum Records....
.
The song was likely to have been written in the summer of 1974, after his comeback tour
Bob Dylan and The Band 1974 Tour
The Bob Dylan and The Band 1974 Tour was a two-month concert tour in early 1974 that featured Bob Dylan, in his first real tour in eight years, performing with The Band, who as The Hawks had once been his little-known backing band...
with The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
that year. Working on a suggestion from his brother, Dylan re-recorded half the songs on Blood on the Tracks, including "Idiot Wind". The re-recorded versions were radical departures from the original recordings, and "Idiot Wind" saw a tremendous change, including the adding of a full band backing from an essentially solo acoustic recording. The sessions in which he re-recorded these songs took place after the initial pressing of Blood on the Tracks, however, and the session musicians Dylan used were not given credit for their work on the album sleeves.
The re-recorded version of the song, done in Minneapolis and issued on Blood on the Tracks, is listed as 7:48 long. The original recording, done in New York and eventually released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3, runs 8:52 long.
A raucous live version, listed at 10:21 long, is included as the closing track to Hard Rain.
Even though Dylan claims that the song's lyrics have no relation to the messy situation of his marriage to Sara Dylan
Sara Dylan
Sara Dylan , born Shirley Marlin Noznisky and later known as Sara Lownds, was the first wife of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and mother of singer Jakob Dylan. She was married to Bob Dylan from November 1965 until June 1977.-Early life:Little is known about Sara Dylan's early life or family...
, his son Jakob Dylan
Jakob Dylan
Jakob Luke Dylan is the lead singer and songwriter of the rock band The Wallflowers and is a son of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and Sara Dylan. He has also recorded two solo albums.-Personal life:...
has stated about the album in interviews that "The songs are my parents talking".
The song was #16 on American Songwriter magazine's The 30 Greatest Dylan Songs.
Influence
British comedian Mel SmithMel Smith
Melvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith is an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones.- Early life :Smith's father, Kenneth, was born...
when asked the question "What one song would work as the soundtrack to your life?" replied "Idiot Wind".
Some of the lyrics to "Idiot Wind" are mentioned in the song "Only Wanna Be With You
Only Wanna Be With You
"Only Wanna Be with You" is a rock song released in July 1995 by Hootie & the Blowfish, the third single from their breakthrough album, Cracked Rear View. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, #3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and #2 on the Billboard...
" by the band Hootie and the Blowfish.