bob dylan
In 1974, Bob Dylan rounded up a long tour with The Band, divorced Sara and sat down writing songs that after several touch-ups became the album "Blood on the Tracks", returning to Columbia after 2 albums with Asylum. It was meant to be released for Xmas '74, but was delayed because he cut half the playlist over again, and produced it himself - in Minneapolis, while the first takes were made in New York, produced by Phil Ramone. Dispite this, the result had a consistence no other Dylan album ever had. It got a mixed reception, from "Masterpiece" to "What the f...", but as the years have gone by, the first characterization has won. Myself, I put this album on top off ALL I've heard from him.
Dylan himself denies that the lyrics are autobiographic, but I don't trust that guy. He's always been vague.
The album is entirely written and recorded in D open tuning, influenced by Irish folk musician Paul Brady. Playing nylon string, this tuning trick sounds disgusting, thus my humble transition and conversion. The Chord Section below gives you ONE plain arrangement and ONE alternative to simulate the open tuning.
they sat together in the park as the evening sky grew dark
she looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones
'twas then he felt alone and wished that he'd gone straight
and watched out for a simple twist of fate
they walked along by the old canal • a little confused I remember well
and stopped into a strange hotel with the neon burning bright
he felt the heat of the night hit him like a freight train
moving with a simple twist of fate
a saxophone somewhere far off played as she was walking by the arcade
as the light bust through a beat up shade where he was waking up
she dropped a coin into the cup of a blind man at the gate
and forgot about a simple twist of fate
he woke up, the room was bare • he couldn't see her anywhere
he told himself he did not care and pushed the window open wide
feeling an emptyness inside to which he just could not relate
brought on by a simple twist of fate
he hears the ticking of the clocks and walks along with a parrot that talks
hunts her down by the waterfront docks where the sailors all come in
maybe she'll pick him out again ? how long must he wait ?
one more time for a simple twist of fate
people tell me it's a sin to know and feel too much within
I still believe she was my twin but I lost the ring
she was born in spring and I was born too late
blame it on a simple twist of fate
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G Bm they sat together in the park as the evening sky grew dark G7 C she looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones Cm G C 'twas then he felt alone and wished that he'd gone straight G C G and watched out for a simple twist of fate
G5 Gmaj7 they sat together in the park as the evening sky grew dark G7 C she looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones D# G5 Cadd9 'twas then he felt alone and wished that he'd gone straight G5 Cadd9 G and watched out for a simple twist of fate
