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Boots of Spanish Leather” is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 1964 on his album The Times They Are A-Changin’.
Dylan’s recording features the artist solo on the acoustic guitar, playing the song fingerpicking. The song is played, in the officially released studio recording, in the key of A♭ major; Dylan probably effects this key by using a capo on the first fret and positioning his fingers as if he were playing G major. The dominant notes in the guitar part seem to be what on a piano is called “Middle C,” which in this song is the major third in the tonic chord; and the D-flat immediately above “Middle C,” which is the perfect fourth; with the top note at any point in the song rotating between these two notes. It is of note that musically this song is nearly identical to his earlier composition “Girl from the North Country.”
Lyrically, “Boots of Spanish Leather” is “a restless, forlorn ballad for the ages and sages - a classic Dylan tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea…” (Trager 80). Most critics have not found it far-fetched to say that this song was written about and maybe to Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s New York City girlfriend in the early ’60s, who in 1964 left him for Spain. Rotolo confirmed that interpretation in a 2008 NPR interview. The song is written as a dialogue, with the first six verses alternating between the man and woman; however, the last three verses are all given by the one who has been left, presumably the man (Dylan).
Dylan’s recording features the artist solo on the acoustic guitar, playing the song fingerpicking. The song is played, in the officially released studio recording, in the key of A♭ major; Dylan probably effects this key by using a capo on the first fret and positioning his fingers as if he were playing G major. The dominant notes in the guitar part seem to be what on a piano is called “Middle C,” which in this song is the major third in the tonic chord; and the D-flat immediately above “Middle C,” which is the perfect fourth; with the top note at any point in the song rotating between these two notes. It is of note that musically this song is nearly identical to his earlier composition “Girl from the North Country.”
Lyrically, “Boots of Spanish Leather” is “a restless, forlorn ballad for the ages and sages - a classic Dylan tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea…” (Trager 80). Most critics have not found it far-fetched to say that this song was written about and maybe to Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s New York City girlfriend in the early ’60s, who in 1964 left him for Spain. Rotolo confirmed that interpretation in a 2008 NPR interview. The song is written as a dialogue, with the first six verses alternating between the man and woman; however, the last three verses are all given by the one who has been left, presumably the man (Dylan).
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Traditional Irish band Dervish perform the Bob Dylan Song.
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Albums featuring this track
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The Times They Are A-Changin'
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At the Beeb
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Shouts
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LowPulp wrote:
Wow. Of all the Dylan song's I've listened too (not too many mind you) this is my favorite so far.
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Brunanalyzed wrote:
Yeah, sounds like Girl From The North Country...
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Seven7h_Strain wrote:
My favorite song to drive to in the dark. Beautifully written.
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Herr_Amn wrote:
I still think it's his best song. At least the best on that album.
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LieveK wrote:
This melody makes me think of Girl From the North Country...
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Dominico123 wrote:
An incredibly beautiful love song. I too think the original is the best :).
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mr-mucho wrote:
yupp, same melody as girl from the north country, but still a great song.
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Colonal_Pepper wrote:
My favouite too. Got me into Bon Dylan actually :)
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CartayS wrote:
gorgeous...my favourite dyan song
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byyourside wrote:
"the same thing i would want today... i'll want again tomorrow...' i was driving in the rain a few years ago and this song came on shuffle... it was then on repeat the next hour or so.
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Zurreal wrote:
I feel dylan constructed the lyrics too much on this one, girl from the north had great lyrics but the spontaneity of the lyrical emotions is what supports the song and makes us all love it... but hey 2 takes of the same melody is better than 1!
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_HollyGolightly wrote:
"but if I had the stars from the darkest night and the diamonds from the deepest ocean, I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss, for that's all I'm wishin' to be ownin'." <3
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_HollyGolightly wrote:
this song is one of the many reasons i love bob dylan.
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kilfoyla wrote:
tears your heart out!
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alienseer23 wrote:
One of the absolute best, from one of the greatest.
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shabbytom wrote:
Girl from the North Country?
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ElCalavera wrote:
one of THE greatest songs of all times.
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musicopea wrote:
http://www.jjvslacatarsismediatica.blogspot.com/
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tyler4ever wrote:
One of the best songs ever sung
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DJFD wrote:
a poet is a poet is a poet.... my all time favourite in lyrics...
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