Blood on the Tracks Songs Ranked

Blood on the Tracks is the fifteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on January 20, 1975 by Columbia Records. The album marked Dylan’s return to Columbia Records after a two-album stint with Asylum Records. Dylan began recording the album in New York City in September 1974. In December, shortly before Columbia was due to release the album, Dylan abruptly re-recorded much of the material in a studio in Minneapolis. The final album contains five tracks recorded in New York and five from Minneapolis. Blood on the Tracks initially received mixed reviews, but has subsequently been acclaimed as one of Dylan’s greatest albums by both critics and fans. The songs have been linked to tensions in Dylan’s personal life, including his estrangement from his then-wife Sara. One of their children, Jakob Dylan, has described the songs as “my parents talking”. The album is considered an outstanding example of the confessional singer-songwriter’s craft, having been called “the truest, most honest account of a love affair from tip to stern ever put down on magnetic tape”. In interviews, Dylan has denied that the songs on the album are autobiographical. Here are all of Blood on the Tracks songs ranked.

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10. If You See Her, Say Hello

“If You See Her, Say Hello” probably represents the emotional low point of the album, with lyrics reflecting a singer who is crushed and embittered by the end of the relationship, turning his anger in on himself.”

9. Buckets of Rain

“Buckets of Rain” provides a fitting finale, suitably depressing lyrics against a rather upbeat melody as irony once again abounds. After this song there is no where left to go.”

8. You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

“You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” is a rather upbeat track, despite the descending chord progressions, and is usually considered a song hopeful of reconciliation rather than one eulogizing the breakup.”

See more: Bob Dylan Albums Ranked

7. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts

“Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts” is a 8:50 story song that basically wears down the listener’s insistence that this is a biographical album. It also has a line that Dylan seems to sing with nic epitch and without affection, to wit, “and Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair.” Pay attention next time through to that one phrase.”

6. Meet Me In the Morning

“Meet Me in the Morning” stands out musically as the most blues oriented track that always struck me as cleansing the palatte for what was coming next on the album.”

5. You’re a Big Girl Now

“You’re A Big Girl Now” is a ballad on the end of a relationship and a sort of benediction in that clearly the woman is right to move on, but Dylan is still haunted by their physical encounters. You would think that this would have been the logical final track for the album, but it is not.”

See more: Bob Dylan Songs Ranked

4. Simple Twist of Fate

“Simple Twist of Fate” is another great four-word phrase in a song that represents the most overtly personal song on the album. The stark instrumentation only serves to highlight the heartbreak of the existentialist lyrics and the mournful sound of the vocals.”

3. Idiot Wind

“Idiot Wind” is song on the album that most reminds me of an earlier Dylan composition, namely “Like a Rolling Stone,” the pair being a set of put-down songs. The difference is that while both song lash out in lots of directions, this one keeps coming back to a certain “babe.” This is another song that has changed over the year for various reasons that could well inspire a doctoral dissertation.”

2. Shelter From the Storm

“Shelter from the Storm” is a song of simple beauty, based on three chords and a simple melody, underscoring a profound sense of loss. The song provides an avalanche of symbols and metaphors, but actually seems to end on an optimstic note.”

1. Tangled Up In Blue

“Tangled Up in Blue” is the best song on the album and the ambguity about the characters and relationships Dylan sings about has only increased over the years with the shifting lyrics in various performances. The cover version by the Indigo Girls remains my favorite Dylan cover.”