Bob Dylan — Workingman's Blues 2
Album: Modern TimesAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 279
Length: 5:57
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That's not an easy one... I am biaised because it's Bob Dylan, and the hudge talent of the man. But... There is something about this song that just doesn't work. May be the music, the pum, pum, the heaviness which was not necessary, the too much something. The "arrangements". Couldn't it be better with just an acoustic guitar and his voice?
One thing for sure about a Dylan song, you never wonder who is singing.
Bosami wrote:
You got that right!
I don't care what anybody else thinks. This later phase of Dylan's material is as comforting as a hot cup of coffee and a slice of pie. 
You got that right!
I don't care what anybody else thinks. This later phase of Dylan's material is as comforting as a hot cup of coffee and a slice of pie.
Are you knocking sesame street? I hope not.
PembrokeRoad wrote:
PembrokeRoad wrote:
What Grade are you in ?
I'm not a huge fan, but I really like this cut. You can understand every word, he's singing in tune, and the lyrics are (as always) great. I gave my boss this CD and he loves it.
NickDanger wrote:
Not so sure I want to hear it. I don't have a good feeling about that one.
Anyone hear the cuts from Dylan's Christmas album on NPR this morning? Made my ears bleed. I'm a Dylan fan through and through, but even I have limits.
Not so sure I want to hear it. I don't have a good feeling about that one.
Anyone hear the cuts from Dylan's Christmas album on NPR this morning? Made my ears bleed. I'm a Dylan fan through and through, but even I have limits.
peter_james_bond wrote:
Agree with you. Great lyrics and the gravelly vocals are quite appropriate in a song about a weary working man.
Excactly.
Agree with you. Great lyrics and the gravelly vocals are quite appropriate in a song about a weary working man.
Excactly.
dolfan wrote:
Agree with you. Great lyrics and the gravelly vocals are quite appropriate in a song about a weary working man.
I don't really get all the hate here. This one works for me beyond the norm. The lyrics transcend the vocals, and I don't mind the vocal stylings.
Agree with you. Great lyrics and the gravelly vocals are quite appropriate in a song about a weary working man.
Willie Nelson paid him off to do an impersonation. 
And, I totally get the Sesame Street comment - for the record.
I've not historically been much of a Dylan Fan, but I like every single song I hear from this album. I figure there's no reason to ignore good music just because I wasn't a huge fan of earlier stuff.
I don't really get all the hate here. This one works for me beyond the norm. The lyrics transcend the vocals, and I don't mind the vocal stylings.
PembrokeRoad
(Dublin Ireland)
Posted: Jun 27, 2008 - 09:56 < Reply >
wferrier wrote:
Sounds like something I heard on Sesame Street.
dmax wrote:
It's OK to criticize the song, but can we not attack people whose opinions differ from ours? Defend the song, not attack the critic.
dmax, I agree with your sentiment. In this case however, dont you feel PembrokeRoad's question was pertinent to the comment from wferrier?
(Dublin Ireland)
Posted: Jun 27, 2008 - 09:56 < Reply >
wferrier wrote:
Sounds like something I heard on Sesame Street.
What Grade are you in ?
dmax wrote:
It's OK to criticize the song, but can we not attack people whose opinions differ from ours? Defend the song, not attack the critic.
dmax, I agree with your sentiment. In this case however, dont you feel PembrokeRoad's question was pertinent to the comment from wferrier?
Cant find the 11 up there.
bizon wrote:
Yep.. and he succeeded in transferring both feelings to this listener with this track.
Dylan sounds tired and bored in this. Not the man at his best.
Yep.. and he succeeded in transferring both feelings to this listener with this track.
Just about the most annoying drivel I've heard in a while. And that includes my comments...
I find it a nice change of pace that you can actually understand the lyrics. His "unintelligible period" is over, apparently.
wow 2 really crappy songs in a row.
In his autobiography Chronicles, Dylan tells a funny true story about how, when he had a serious arm injury and thought he might have to give up guitar, writing songs, and his music career, tried to look into other careers.
One of the careers he looked into, among many different others, was selling real estate. He instructs his personal assistant to get all the info about it he can and then educate him on the subject. Shortly after about an hour or two into the presentation by his assistant, Dylan says bluntly, I can see I am just not cut out for selling real estate. Forget it." The way he tells the story and how he tries looking into all sorts of other professions without finding any remotely suitable is quite funny. This song about working people's plights makes me think about that part of the book where Dylan considers working some kind of regular job like most people.
Dylan manages to heal his arm, and after about a year hiatus from song writing (this was just before the Oh Mercy record), he has a dramatic dream that he's compelled to write down, and from that, writes his first song in a year, and is able to play it on the guitar for the first time since his arm injury. All of this leads to full healing of his arm to the surprise of his doctors, and in his words creative renewal, with the songs written for the Oh Mercy record which Dylan felt was more inspired than the work he had done for several years prior.
It's a very compelling read, Chronicles, and Dylan is quite humorous in describing his struggles.
One of the careers he looked into, among many different others, was selling real estate. He instructs his personal assistant to get all the info about it he can and then educate him on the subject. Shortly after about an hour or two into the presentation by his assistant, Dylan says bluntly, I can see I am just not cut out for selling real estate. Forget it." The way he tells the story and how he tries looking into all sorts of other professions without finding any remotely suitable is quite funny. This song about working people's plights makes me think about that part of the book where Dylan considers working some kind of regular job like most people.
Dylan manages to heal his arm, and after about a year hiatus from song writing (this was just before the Oh Mercy record), he has a dramatic dream that he's compelled to write down, and from that, writes his first song in a year, and is able to play it on the guitar for the first time since his arm injury. All of this leads to full healing of his arm to the surprise of his doctors, and in his words creative renewal, with the songs written for the Oh Mercy record which Dylan felt was more inspired than the work he had done for several years prior.
It's a very compelling read, Chronicles, and Dylan is quite humorous in describing his struggles.
auburntigerrich wrote: 
wferrier wrote:
Sounds like something I heard on Sesame Street.
What Grade are you in ?
Dylan sounds tired and bored in this. Not the man at his best.
wferrier wrote:
Sounds like something I heard on Sesame Street.
It's not that good, at least they could actually sing on Sesame Street.
"...low wages are reality if we want to compete overseas..."
Bob's still got a tinge of politics in 'im, even though he's pimping himself out for Cadillac Escalades. Anomaly.
Sounds like something I heard on Sesame Street.
black321 wrote:
Saw Bob last week at Nassau Coliseum. This was the fifth time I saw him: once in mid 80's (bad), late 80's w/ Dead (OK), mid 90's (great rockin show), and about 3-4 years ago (great jammin show). This last time was a real sleeper. Perhaps a smaller venue would have been more appropriate/intimate given the style of the new album...There just was nothing going on, musically, and any attempt to create this mellow vibe as in this song fell flat in the huge coliseum. Bob's vocals were also way TOO LOUD. Oh well, keep trucking Bob, but play smaller venues please.
Totally agree - had same set of recent experiences - Beacon Theatre - very good show, another tiny standing only theater - great show - Nils Lofgren showed up and the band and Bob picked up great energy - Woodstock - outdoor - mediocre show
On_The_Beach wrote:
I love Dylan, but this is one of his weaker moments, IMO.
Try on the Mother Hips' take; they spice it up a bit. (Indeed, IMHO)
OldFrenchie wrote:
Or, we get it that this song sucks. It's nothing personal, it's a sucky song is all. It's as simple as that.
It may be an affliction that cannot be cured, this tendency to call a song that does not work for you "sucky", or some similar weak and mindless epithet. OK, but all this accomplishes is to show those who appreciate the artistry in this work that anything else you say is likely to be equally unworthy of serious consideration. But, maybe those who consider their opinions to be so valuable don't care if anyone takes them seriously.
Gourd wrote:
Can anyone recommend /covers/ of Dylan's stuff?
(click here)
I love Dylan, but this is one of his weaker moments, IMO.
Great song. Great album, front to back! But I love the man and think him untouchable.
I "get" Dylan. I've even learned to appreciate his singing, um, "style". But this one just leaves me cold.
neat...
this reminds me of "paul de leeuw" - ughhh
How do you rate a song with such brilliant lyrics but with vocals so completely lacking virtuosity?
very nice tune
what a lovely song.
C57BL6 wrote:
meet me in the middle of the day let me hear you say everything's ok
a little afternoon delight ...
tiggers wrote:
FIne with them, just would like them sung rather than delivered via Dylan's nose
Sums up my feelings /exactly./ Like the lyrics. Hate the performance.
Can anyone recommend /covers/ of Dylan's stuff?
zensend wrote:
If you dont get Dylan, you're just not going to get it.
But let's be clear:
He doesnt suck. The song doesnt suck.
It's Dylan and you don't get it. It's as simple as that.
Or, we get it that this song sucks. It's nothing personal, it's a sucky song is all. It's as simple as that.
If you dont get Dylan, you're just not going to get it.
But let's be clear:
He doesnt suck. The song doesnt suck.
It's Dylan and you don't get it. It's as simple as that.
Sucks. 1.
Can't believe this is the same guy who created Nashville Skyline.
tiggers wrote:
FIne with them, just would like them sung rather than delivered via Dylan's nose
Right On!!!!
wally42 wrote:
Not much for well crafted and intelligent lyrics are we?
FIne with them, just would like them sung rather than delivered via Dylan's nose
How does he sing with so many marbles in his mouth?
first time ive heard anything off of Dylan's latest album. great song.
Saw Bob last week at Nassau Coliseum. This was the fifth time I saw him: once in mid 80's (bad), late 80's w/ Dead (OK), mid 90's (great rockin show), and about 3-4 years ago (great jammin show). This last time was a real sleeper. Perhaps a smaller venue would have been more appropriate/intimate given the style of the new album...There just was nothing going on, musically, and any attempt to create this mellow vibe as in this song fell flat in the huge coliseum. Bob's vocals were also way TOO LOUD. Oh well, keep trucking Bob, but play smaller venues please.
kmh wrote:
This is just BAAAADDDD.........
Not much for well crafted and intelligent lyrics are we?
meet me in the middle of the day let me hear you say everything's ok
Didn't care much for this album at first, but finding it really poignant and moving the more I hear it.
This is just BAAAADDDD.........
By far the best track on (to my mind) an LP more quirky than good.
And yes, I am a Dylan fan and own every LP and CDs he's given us.
The kind thoughtful community of friends here at RP is my therapy. Thank you for the heartfelt considered replies and allowing me full range of emotional expression. Sorry to be so whiney; didn't mean to be. I wrote that at about 4 in the morning. Just can't believe I was so stupid. Well, as an old Army colonel I used to run with always recommended, "blow it off and march on." By the way, Paul, I hope you didnt ditch that GOOG on Oct 9 like you recommended. Incredible run last two weeks.
Hey, my ears aren't bleeding. Quite a step up from the other tracks from this album.
Geecheeboy wrote:
Wanna hear something really stupid? Bob was coming to Augusta, to play at the Greenjackets stadium. I called; sold out. Then I got a form letter from the Greenjackets (baseball team) announcing that since I was a season ticket holder, I could buy tickets. I faxed in my order with Visa number. Letter said "tickets will be mailed." Never received, but I never called either. Figgered sold out afterall. Concert came and went and the next week, the charge appeared on my bill. What? I had tickets at Will Call. "Why didn't you call?" Indeed. The disappointment is bitter. I can't hear anything from this new album without feelings of deep bitter regret.
I recommend therapy, though popping bubble wrap is cheaper and some studies suggest it is equally effective
Best tune on the album!
I am so happy to see this icon of these Modern Times maintaining not only his credibilty but his style and timely observations and commentary on life. This is a really great album.
Lovely song. One of my favorites off the album.
Wanna hear something really stupid? Bob was coming to Augusta, to play at the Greenjackets stadium. I called; sold out. Then I got a form letter from the Greenjackets (baseball team) announcing that since I was a season ticket holder, I could buy tickets. I faxed in my order with Visa number. Letter said "tickets will be mailed." Never received, but I never called either. Figgered sold out afterall. Concert came and went and the next week, the charge appeared on my bill. What? I had tickets at Will Call. "Why didn't you call?" Indeed. The disappointment is bitter. I can't hear anything from this new album without feelings of deep bitter regret.
ThePoose wrote:
I and 20,000 other beings will witness the Bob on November 5, 2006, in Ottawa, capital of Canada. It will be magic--even if he plays with his back to us.
If you want a preview of the show, follow link below and download complete concerts from this summer (and before).
(click here)
Click on the "Rare Dylan Recordings" topic and look though to find whicjh dates you want. Most recenrt is September 5, 2006 in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Also lots of earlier stuff
Enjoy
Yup! the great one will be in London, Ontario on the 3rd of November...gonna be there for sure!
Nice song. I'm glad BD released some new music. When the George Harrison tribute came out, I was hoping Bob would be there. I wonder why he wasn't. Anyone know or heard rumour?
Great new music - thanks to my husbands birthday, we now have Dylan, Ray Lamontagne and The Raconteur's new cd's..all in one week! 
Whenver Bob comes out with something new, its hard to imagine what it will be like. This album is amazing, Bob is still in the now and his lyrics have never been more graceful.
The melody remind me a bit of Mercury Rev's "Opus 40" at times in the song.
Classic Bob. The album gets better with every listening.
this is the first i've heard besides the I-tunes ad. Bobby is pretty f-amazing. And I don't know if it's the recording, but his voice sounds richer and deeper. A good move there.
Oh, and love the cover image... not exactly Greenwich Village, but evocative NY all the same...
I and 20,000 other beings will witness the Bob on November 5, 2006, in Ottawa, capital of Canada. It will be magic--even if he plays with his back to us.
This has a great melody, and as usual the lyrics are unbelievably good.
"If I wasn't Bob Dylan, I'd probably think that Bob Dylan has a lot of answers myself."
who can not like this person?
This new release of Bob's is really growing on me.
Bobby!
in a live concert back in 1964 a girl shouts " what do you do for a living"
dylan: "I hope i never have to make al living"