Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

Infobox Song
Name = Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Artist = Bob Dylan
Album = Highway 61 Revisited
Released = August 30, 1965
track_no = 8
Recorded = Columbia Studios, New York, August 4, 1965
Genre = Rock, Folk rock
Length = 5:31
Writer = Bob Dylan
Label = Columbia
Producer = Bob Johnston
prev = Highway 61 Revisited
prev_no = 7
next = Desolation Row
next_no = 9"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan. It was originally released on the album "Highway 61 Revisited". It was recorded on August 4, 1965, in one of the last recording sessions for the album, right before recording Desolation Row, which followed it on the album as well.cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:wjfqxzqrldhe|title=All Music Guide "Tom Thumb"] It is considered one of Dylan's 1960's masterpieces, and a comic "tour de force".cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:wjfqxzqrldhe|title=All Music Guide "Tom Thumb"]

Lyrics

"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" continues on the road weariness from the album's previous song, "Highway 61 Revisited". [cite book|title=Bob Dylan|author=Humphries, Patrick|page=26|year=1995|id=ISBN0 7119 4868 2] The singer finds himself in Juarez, Mexico at Easter time, amidst sickness, despair, whores and saints. [cite book|title=No Direction Home; The Life and Music of Bob Dylan|author=Shelton, Robert|page=282|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-306-80782-3] While there, he encounters shady women like Saint Annie and Sweet Melinda, as well as corrupt authorities, and drinks and drugs his way into helplessness.cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:wjfqxzqrldhe|title=All Music Guide "Tom Thumb"] The song establishes a nightmare vision as the singer is pulled by gravity, negativity, drink, illness, remorse and memories. [cite book|title=No Direction Home; The Life and Music of Bob Dylan|author=Shelton, Robert|page=282|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-306-80782-3] Scene and situation are combined into a gorgeous evocation of muddied consciousness without ever resolving into a clear picture of what the song is about. [cite book|title=Bob Dylan Performing Artist|author=Williams, Paul|page=160|year=1991|id=ISBN 0-88733-131-9] But in the surprising final verse, the singer has had enough finds the means to pick up and leave it all behind and head back to New York City, where things may be better. [cite book|title=No Direction Home; The Life and Music of Bob Dylan|author=Shelton, Robert|page=282|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-306-80782-3]

Like many songs on Highway 61 Revisited, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is overflowing with literary references, including images recalling Malcolm Lowry's novel "Under the Volcano", [cite book|title=No Direction Home; The Life and Music of Bob Dylan|author=Shelton, Robert|page=282|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-306-80782-3] a street name taken from Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," [cite book|title=No Direction Home; The Life and Music of Bob Dylan|author=Shelton, Robert|page=282|year=1997|id=ISBN 0-306-80782-3] and the title's reference to Rimbaud's "My Bohemian Life (Fantasy)," in which Rimbaud refers to himself as "Tom Thumb in a daze." [cite book|title=Don't Think Twice It's All Right: Bob Dylan The Early Years|author=Gill, Andy|page=88|year=1998|id=ISBN 1 56025 185 9]

Music

Musically, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" has no chorus, but six AAAA rhymed verses, sweetened and deepened by a handful of chords and Dylan's vocal emphasis. Keyboards, drums and vocals provide texture. [cite book|title=Bob Dylan Performing Artist|author=Williams, Paul|page=167|year=1991|id=ISBN 0-88733-131-9] The keyboard parts are particularly notable, making innovative use of two different pianos, with Al Kooper playing an electric Hohner Pianet and Paul Griffin adding a bar room feel on tack piano. [cite book|title=Don't Think Twice It's All Right: Bob Dylan The Early Years|author=Gill, Andy|page=88|year=1998|id=ISBN 1 56025 185 9]

Other Appearances

"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' was included on "Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II". An alternate take of the song is included on "".cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:djfwxqlsldse|title=All Music Guide "Bootleg 7"]

It has also been popular live in concert. A live version recorded at a concert in Liverpool on May 14, 1966 was released as the B-side to the release of the I Want You single. [cite book|title=Bob Dylan Performing Artist|author=Williams, Paul|page=167|year=1991|id=ISBN 0-88733-131-9] The song was also part of the famous and controversial electric set with The Band of the concert at Albert Hall on May 17, 1966 that was released on the album "".

Cover versions

Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot was the first to cover the song, shortly after the release of "Highway 61 Revisited". Issued as a non-LP single in early October 1965, Lightfoot's version of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" was a #3 hit in Canada.

The song has also been covered many other times. A live cover by Neil Young is included on the album "The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration". Others who have covered the song include Judy Collins, Nina Simone and Linda Ronstadt.cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:wjfqxzqrldhe|title=All Music Guide "Tom Thumb"]

The Beastie Boys sampled the lyric "I'm going back to New York City I do believe I've had enough" for their song, Finger Lickin Good. Bob Dylan requested $2000 for use of the sample, but Mike D managed to barter him down to $700.

References

External links

* [http://bobdylan.com/songs/tomthumb.html Lyrics]