Meaning and Lyrics of Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again by Bob Dylan
Song Lyrics meaning of Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again by Bob Dylan
About Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an iconic American singer-songwriter who emerged as a leading figure in the folk music revival of the 1960s. Born Robert Zimmerman in 1941, Dylan is known for his poetic and profound lyrics that often reflect social and political issues. He has been a major influence on generations of musicians and is considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
One of his notable songs is Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, which was released on his 1966 album “Blonde on Blonde.” The song showcases Dylan’s distinctive blend of storytelling lyrics and unique vocal style, capturing the essence of his musical genius.
Meaning of Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again by Bob Dylan
“Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” by Bob Dylan is a song that presents a surreal and vivid portrayal of a confusing and chaotic situation. The lyrics seem to describe a sense of being trapped in a place, Mobile, while dealing with various unusual and perplexing encounters.
The song opens with the narrator observing the ragman drawing circles and feeling trapped, with a sense of escape being impossible. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the narrator laments being stuck in Mobile with the Memphis blues.
Throughout the song, there are references to characters like Shakespeare, a French girl, railroad men, and a rainman, who all contribute to the disjointed and dreamlike quality of the narrative. These characters and scenarios add to the feeling of being lost and out of place.
The chorus, repeating the question “Oh, Mama, can this really be the end? To be stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis blues again,” highlights the narrator’s confusion and frustration with their current situation.
The song also delves into themes of death, with the mention of the narrator’s grandpa’s death and the reactions of others to it. This theme adds a sense of mortality and impermanence to the narrative.
The references to the senator, the preacher, and Ruthie provide insight into the various personalities and influences that the narrator encounters in Mobile. These characters offer contrasting perspectives and experiences, further adding to the complexity of the song.
The final verse reflects on the passage of time and the sense of waiting for something to change, suggesting a cyclical nature to the experiences being described.
Overall, “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling trapped in a confusing and disorienting situation, grappling with inner turmoil and external influences. The song captures a sense of searching for meaning and a way out while being surrounded by enigmatic characters and situations.
The song opens with the narrator observing the ragman drawing circles and feeling trapped, with a sense of escape being impossible. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the narrator laments being stuck in Mobile with the Memphis blues.
Throughout the song, there are references to characters like Shakespeare, a French girl, railroad men, and a rainman, who all contribute to the disjointed and dreamlike quality of the narrative. These characters and scenarios add to the feeling of being lost and out of place.
The chorus, repeating the question “Oh, Mama, can this really be the end? To be stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis blues again,” highlights the narrator’s confusion and frustration with their current situation.
The song also delves into themes of death, with the mention of the narrator’s grandpa’s death and the reactions of others to it. This theme adds a sense of mortality and impermanence to the narrative.
The references to the senator, the preacher, and Ruthie provide insight into the various personalities and influences that the narrator encounters in Mobile. These characters offer contrasting perspectives and experiences, further adding to the complexity of the song.
The final verse reflects on the passage of time and the sense of waiting for something to change, suggesting a cyclical nature to the experiences being described.
Overall, “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling trapped in a confusing and disorienting situation, grappling with inner turmoil and external influences. The song captures a sense of searching for meaning and a way out while being surrounded by enigmatic characters and situations.
Lyrics of Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again by Bob Dylan
Intro
Verse 1
Oh, the ragman draws circles
Up and down the block
I'd ask him what the matter was
But I know that he don't talk
And the ladies treat me kindly
And they furnish me with tape
But deep inside my heart
I know I can't escape
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 2
Well, Shakespeare, he's in the alley
With his pointed shoes and his bells
Speaking to some French girl
Who says she knows me well
And I would send a message
To find out if she's talked
But the post office has been stolen
And the mailbox is locked
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 3
Mona tried to tell me
To stay away from the train line
She said that all the railroad men
Just drink up your blood like wine
And I said, "Oh, I didn't know that
But then again, there's only one I've met
And he just smoked my eyelids
And punched my cigarette"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 4
Grandpa died last week
And now he's buried in the rocks
But everybody still talks about
How badly they were shocked
But me, I expected it to happen
I knew he'd lost control
When I sp— he'd built a fire on Main Street
And shot it full of holes
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 5
Now the senator came down here
Showing everyone his gun
Handing out free tickets
To the wedding of his son
And me, I nearly got busted
And wouldn't it be my luck
To get caught without a ticket
And be discovered beneath a truck
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Is this really the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 6
Now the tea preacher looked so baffled
When I asked him why he dressed
With twenty pounds of headlines
Stapled to his chest
But he cursed me when I proved to him
Then I whispered, said, "Not even you can hide
You see, you're just like me
I hope you're satisfied"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 7
Now the rainman gave me two cures
Then he said, "Jump right in"
The one was Texas medicine
The other was just railroad gin
And like a fool I mixed them
And it strangled up my mind
And now people just get uglier
And I have no sense of time
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 8
Now when Ruthie says come see her
In her honky-tonk lagoon
Where I can watch her waltz for free
'Neath her Panamanian moon
And I say, "Aw, come on now
You know you know about my debutante"
And she says, "Your debutante just knows what you need
But I know what you want"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 9
Now the bricks lay on Grand Street
Where the neon madmen climb
They all fall there so perfectly
It all seems so well timed
And here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Is this really the end?
To be stuck here inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 1
Oh, the ragman draws circles
Up and down the block
I'd ask him what the matter was
But I know that he don't talk
And the ladies treat me kindly
And they furnish me with tape
But deep inside my heart
I know I can't escape
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 2
Well, Shakespeare, he's in the alley
With his pointed shoes and his bells
Speaking to some French girl
Who says she knows me well
And I would send a message
To find out if she's talked
But the post office has been stolen
And the mailbox is locked
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 3
Mona tried to tell me
To stay away from the train line
She said that all the railroad men
Just drink up your blood like wine
And I said, "Oh, I didn't know that
But then again, there's only one I've met
And he just smoked my eyelids
And punched my cigarette"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 4
Grandpa died last week
And now he's buried in the rocks
But everybody still talks about
How badly they were shocked
But me, I expected it to happen
I knew he'd lost control
When I sp— he'd built a fire on Main Street
And shot it full of holes
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 5
Now the senator came down here
Showing everyone his gun
Handing out free tickets
To the wedding of his son
And me, I nearly got busted
And wouldn't it be my luck
To get caught without a ticket
And be discovered beneath a truck
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Is this really the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 6
Now the tea preacher looked so baffled
When I asked him why he dressed
With twenty pounds of headlines
Stapled to his chest
But he cursed me when I proved to him
Then I whispered, said, "Not even you can hide
You see, you're just like me
I hope you're satisfied"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 7
Now the rainman gave me two cures
Then he said, "Jump right in"
The one was Texas medicine
The other was just railroad gin
And like a fool I mixed them
And it strangled up my mind
And now people just get uglier
And I have no sense of time
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 8
Now when Ruthie says come see her
In her honky-tonk lagoon
Where I can watch her waltz for free
'Neath her Panamanian moon
And I say, "Aw, come on now
You know you know about my debutante"
And she says, "Your debutante just knows what you need
But I know what you want"
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Can this really be the end?
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
Verse 9
Now the bricks lay on Grand Street
Where the neon madmen climb
They all fall there so perfectly
It all seems so well timed
And here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice
Chorus
Oh, Mama
Is this really the end?
To be stuck here inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
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