There’s another blog that does commentary on Bob Dylan’s XM Radio show, called Dreamtime. Interesting stuff. In a post about one of Dylan’s shows, the writer refers to an anecdote he dug up about something that happened during an interview, by David Gates, of Bob Dylan.

David Gates, who’s written several articles about Dylan at various points in his career, reportedly was correcting a quote he was using from “Satan is Real,” in the galleys of his novel, “Preston Falls,” when Dylan called. During the course of the interview, Dylan started talking about religious songs, and remarked how frightening he felt the “Satan is Real” song was. “That’s weird,” Gates told him. “I’m looking at the lyrics right now.” “It’s a small world, Dave,” Dylan said.

Of-course Dylan played that great Louvin Brothers tune on his “Theme Time Radio Hour” — the one dedicated (so to speak) to the Devil.

You don’t have to go far in Dylan’s own work to find the realness of the Devil being brought to the fore — whether it’s 1963’s Whatcha Gonna Do:

Tell me what you’re gonna do
When the devil calls your cards.
O Lord, O Lord,
What shall you do?

or 1983’s Man Of Peace:

He’s a great humanitarian, he’s a great philanthropist,
He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed.
He’ll put both his arms around you,
You can feel the tender touch of the beast.
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

On his new album, Modern Times, the song Someday Baby is an insinuatin’ blues boogie (it’s also the song in the iPod commercial).

It’s early to be nailing down interpretations of songs, and, in fact, I think it’s always too early to nail down an interpretation. The songs ought to live and breathe, which they do.

But at least try considering this song as a kiss-off to Beelzebub himself. Imagine that the singer is looking forward to the final disposition of things — to the victory over the Devil that the Bible predicts.

Here’s a few verses:

Well you take my money and you turn me out
You fill me up with nothing but self-doubt
Someday baby, you ain’t gonna worry poor me anymore

I try to be friendly, I try to be kind
I’m gonna drive you from your home just like I was driven from mine [the garden?]
Someday baby, you ain’t gonna worry poor me anymore

Livin’ this way ain’t a natural thing to do
Why was I born to love you?
Someday baby, you ain’t gonna worry poor me anymore

So, various reviewers are taking the song as a “that dang woman done me wrong” type song, and you can hear it like that. Those who enjoy accusing Dylan of misogyny will be happy to hear him threatening to drive the poor girl from her home and wring her neck.

I know I’m not alone in thinking that Dylan is generally operating on an entirely other level to all that, in his songwriting.

It’s a great tune, and one the band will really be able to stretch out on. Looking forward to hearing it live.

…

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
(Luke, Chapter 8, Verse 12)

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