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Under The Red Sky, released in September 1990, is one of the most cryptic and controversial albums in a Dylan's career that seems almost intentionally to record a minor album after the great Oh Mercy; in this direction, the choice not to rehire Lanois and to call on brothers Don and David Was and Jack Frost (actually a pseudonym of the artist himself) as well as a series of excellent guests was certainly made. The lyrics are like children's nursery rhymes probably meant for the enjoyment of children and endowed with a subtle sense of humour (the album is dedicated to "Gabby Goo Goo," the nickname of his fourteen-year-old daughter).
The album starts with "Wiggle Wiggle", even voted as one of the worst songs made by a great artist: indeed, the intrusive rhythm section with Slash's guitar certainly doesn't improve the track's fate. The title track with its biblical references is a slow rock that vaguely recalls the past with a good slide performance by George Harrison, while "Unbelievable" is a classic rock'n'roll song that anticipates certain solutions of the latest Dylan. "Born in Time", an outtake from Oh Mercy, is a fairly interesting piece that tries, without fully succeeding, to follow in the footsteps of the previous album and boasts the presence of David Crosby on vocal harmonies and Bruce Hornsby on piano, the latter also present in the subsequent and smooth "T.V. Talkin' Song"; in "10,000 Men", a traditional rock & blues song, we notice the presence of David Lindley on guitars and Stevie Ray Vaughan in one of his last recordings. "2 x 2" is a slow track that even features Elton John on piano and the same Lindley tackling the bouzouki, introducing us to "God Knows", an outtake from Oh Mercy with vaguely Sixties atmospheres. "Handy Dandy" with Dylan himself on piano is clearly meant for lighthearted humming, while the conclusion is entrusted to "Cat's In The Well", another chaotic rock & blues with contributions from sax and trumpet.
It would take seven years for us to see the unveiling of a new album of unreleased songs, the immense "Time Out Of Mind".
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
03 Unbelievable (04:06)
It's unbelievable, it's strange but true,
It's inconceivable it could happen to you.
You go north and you go south
Just like bait in the fish's mouth.
Ya must be livin' in the shadow of some kind of evil star.
It's unbelievable it would get this far.
It's undeniable what they'd have you to think,
It's indescribable it can drive you to drink.
They said it was the land of milk and honey,
now they say it's the land of money.
Who ever thought they could ever make that stick.
It's unbelievable you can get this quick.
Bridge #1:
Every head is so dignified, every moon is so sanctified,
Every urge is so satisfied as long as you're with me.
All the silver, all the gold, all the sweethearts you can hold
That don't come back with stories untold, are hanging on a tree.
It's unbelievable like a lead balloon,
It's so impossible to even learn the tune.
Kill that beast and feed that swine,
Scale that wall and smoke that vine,
Feed that horse and saddle up the drum.
It's unbelievable, the day would finally come.
Bridge #2:
Once there was a man who had no eyes,
Every lady in the land told him lies,
He stood beneath the silver skies
And his heart began to bleed.
Every brain is civilized,
Every nerve is analyzed,
Everything is criticized when you are in need.
It's unbelievable, it's fancy-free,
So interchangeable, so delightful to see.
Turn your back, wash your hands,
There's always someone who understands
It don't matter no more what you got to say
It's unbelievable it would go down this way.
10 Cat's in the Well (03:21)
The cat's in the well, the wolf is looking down.
The cat's in the well, the wolf is looking down.
He got his big bushy tail dragging all over the ground.
The cat's in the well, the gentle lady is asleep.
Cat's in the well, the gentle lady is asleep.
She ain't hearing a thing, the silence is a-stickin' her deep.
Bridge #1:
The cat's in the well and grief is showing its face
The world's being slaughtered and it's such a bloody disgrace.
The cat's in the well, the horse is going bumpety bump.
The cat's in the well, and the horse is going bumpety bump.
Back alley Sally is doing the American jump.
Bridge #2:
The cat's in the well, and pappa is reading the news.
His hair is falling out and all of his daughters need shoes.
The cat's in the well and the barn is full of bull
The cat's in the well and the barn is full of bull
The night is so long and the table is oh, so full
Bridge #3:
The cat's in the well and the servant is at the door.
The drinks are ready and the dogs are going to war.
The cat's in the well, the leaves are starting to fall
The cat's in the well, leaves are starting to fall
Goodnight, my love, may the lord have mercy on us all.
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