No Times de hoje #171

Today's New York Times brings a neat article on Bob Dylan's refusal to acknowledge the Nobel prize he was awarded two weeks ago. They compare it to Jean-Paul Sartre's formal refusal of the exact same prize in 1964: "the writer must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution, even if this occurs under the most honorable circumstances." So far Dylan has ignored the committee's phone calls and he's making it blatantly clear he won't attend the award ceremony in Stockholm in December.

The article brings back a 1964 song by Dylan which transmits the attitude... lyrics below. Fits like a glove! 

_________

It Ain't me, babe*

music & lyrics by Bob Dylan

Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door.

But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.

Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down

You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes to you
Someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and more.

But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.

You say you're lookin' for someone
To pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
And will love you for your life
And nothin' more.

But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.

__________

*I first heard the song in the movie Walk the Line (by actors Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Whitherspoon) and thought it an original of Johnny Cash and June Carter, only to realize they were already covering for Dylan's original. Funny how the same song goes from its folk version, into country and then pop (or something close to it). And when I was looking for the versions that I remembered of the song I realized it has been covered extensively, here's a version of two young (Swedish singers) that gave me the chills; just when you think you've heard it all...