music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Dirge" is a song by Bob Dylan. It was released on his 14th studio album Planet Waves in 1974.[1] Notable for its acidic tone, "Dirge" has never been performed in concert.[2]

"Dirge"
Song by Bob Dylan
from the album Planet Waves
Released	January 17, 1974
Recorded	November 14, 1973
Genre	Folk rock
Length	5:36
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Bob Dylan
Producer(s)	Rob Fraboni

A 2021 Guardian article included it on a list of "80 Bob Dylan songs everyone should know".[3]

Background and Recording

After recalling his band to re-record the track "Forever Young," Dylan recorded "Dirge" on just the second take.[4] The song was labeled on the studio tape box as "Dirge for Martha." After performing one take with an acoustic guitar, Dylan switched to a piano when he performed the second and final take. Robbie Robertson played acoustic guitar on the second take, giving the song a bluesy and mandolin-like feel. According to Rob Fraboni, the producer, Dylan "wanted a kind of barroom sound from the piano" and a "raunchy vocal sound." Fraboni and Robertson mixed the song immediately after the recording.[5]

Personnel

• Bob Dylan – piano, vocals
• Robbie Robertson – acoustic guitar

References

• Bob Dylan. (1974). Dirge. Planet Waves [CD]. Los Angeles, CA: Asylum.

External links

• Lyrics at Bob Dylan's official site

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