Unlike other songs of Bob Dylan's songs, this song is not a song about a political situation or mood, it is a song about a very specific personal issue and specific individuals. Whilst many listeners ascribe their own interpretations; in truth, this song is about the trials of Dylan and his partner Suze and significantly, it spits out emotional venom at his partner's family.
As mentioned by others, like Brian Cronin, this song is about Dylan, Suze, and older sister Carla. It's also about Suze's mother, a widow who disapproved of her daughter's relationship with Dylan. Undoubtedly, as a songwriter, Dylan couldn't help but write about his experiences and perhaps even use it as an emotional cartharsis. However, regardless of the poetry and musical ability used in this song, it is nevertheless a bitter, unfair and emotional backlash at vulnerable figures that Dylan clashed with. Even Dylan himself regretted releasing this song.
Suze was with Dylan from 1961 to 1964 and was only 17 when they first met. They fell in love and Suze eventually moved in with him. During this time Dylan's fame grew and his early songs used by protest groups were strongly influenced by Suze and her political views. Almost concurrently Dylan became highly involved with Joan Baez, from 1962 to 1965.
Suze lost her father when only 14 and so Suze's mother and older sister Carla, took on the paternal role in their Italian family. Naturally, they were were protective of Suze and often clashed with Dylan. Dylan resented the influence of Mrs. Rotolo and particularly Carla who probably took on more of the protective role. In 1963 Suze was pregnant to Dylan and had an abortion. Suze moved out of Dylan's home and lived with her older sister. That same year, Dylan wrote and released "Ballad in Plain D", specifically about this highly personal drama including descriptions of a bitter argument he had with Carla . In 1964, Dylan and Suze permanently parted and a few months later in January 1965, he recorded "It's all over now Baby Blue" which has also has hints of these events.
Suze and the Rotolo family have always been very tight lipped about the personal dramas that happened during these years but eventually put on an amicable front for the media. Though the events of those years must have had a tremendous impact on her family, Suze was always gracious in her publically expressed views of Dylan. In 2008 Suze published her memoirs of those years. She said she understood that Dylan had to write about his experiences in his songs, she never admitted that his words hurt her. They say "still waters run deep" and so it is here - I believe Suze truly loved Dylan the man, and what's more, respected his position as a prominent and influential singer/songwriter. But somehow, I don't think Carla and Mrs. Rotolo shared the same sentiments as Suze.
After her break up with Dylan, Susan Elizabeth Rotolo remarried, and had a son. She maintained her interests in art and beauty (worked as a jeweller). When she spoke of the sixties she once said "we had something to say, not something to sell". Suze passed away in early 2011, aged 67.
To be quite frank, I believe that Mrs. Rotolo's and Carla's fears for Suze were probably well founded. Bob Dylan probably had no long-term intention of supporting Suze. Suze left home and lived in a de-facto relationship with a womanising poet/musician to whom she was pregnant at 19 years of age. I'm sure there would be plenty of mothers and older sisters who when faced with this situation would similarly try to protect their loved one from all the potential hurts and danger this kind of situation holds. Dylan's response wasn't just to find material to write about, but to publically insult these women through the medium of his music. The lyrics in this song are clear in whom they target and their intent, for example the words "for her parasite sister, I had no respect" doesn't need any poetic interpretation.
The lyrics below pretty much sum up the song and the situation:
"Through young summer's breeze, I stole her away
From her mother and sister, though close did they stay.
Each one of them suffering from the failures of their day,
With strings of guilt they tried hard to guide us."
Unlike other songs of Bob Dylan's songs, this song is not a song about a political situation or mood, it is a song about a very specific personal issue and specific individuals. Whilst many listeners ascribe their own interpretations; in truth, this song is about the trials of Dylan and his partner Suze and significantly, it spits out emotional venom at his partner's family.
As mentioned by others, like Brian Cronin, this song is about Dylan, Suze, and older sister Carla. It's also about Suze's mother, a widow who disapproved of her daughter's relationship with Dylan. Undoubtedly, as a songwriter, Dylan couldn't help but write about his experiences and perhaps even use it as an emotional cartharsis. However, regardless of the poetry and musical ability used in this song, it is nevertheless a bitter, unfair and emotional backlash at vulnerable figures that Dylan clashed with. Even Dylan himself regretted releasing this song.
Suze was with Dylan from 1961 to 1964 and was only 17 when they first met. They fell in love and Suze eventually moved in with him. During this time Dylan's fame grew and his early songs used by protest groups were strongly influenced by Suze and her political views. Almost concurrently Dylan became highly involved with Joan Baez, from 1962 to 1965.
Suze lost her father when only 14 and so Suze's mother and older sister Carla, took on the paternal role in their Italian family. Naturally, they were were protective of Suze and often clashed with Dylan. Dylan resented the influence of Mrs. Rotolo and particularly Carla who probably took on more of the protective role. In 1963 Suze was pregnant to Dylan and had an abortion. Suze moved out of Dylan's home and lived with her older sister. That same year, Dylan wrote and released "Ballad in Plain D", specifically about this highly personal drama including descriptions of a bitter argument he had with Carla . In 1964, Dylan and Suze permanently parted and a few months later in January 1965, he recorded "It's all over now Baby Blue" which has also has hints of these events.
Suze and the Rotolo family have always been very tight lipped about the personal dramas that happened during these years but eventually put on an amicable front for the media. Though the events of those years must have had a tremendous impact on her family, Suze was always gracious in her publically expressed views of Dylan. In 2008 Suze published her memoirs of those years. She said she understood that Dylan had to write about his experiences in his songs, she never admitted that his words hurt her. They say "still waters run deep" and so it is here - I believe Suze truly loved Dylan the man, and what's more, respected his position as a prominent and influential singer/songwriter. But somehow, I don't think Carla and Mrs. Rotolo shared the same sentiments as Suze.
After her break up with Dylan, Susan Elizabeth Rotolo remarried, and had a son. She maintained her interests in art and beauty (worked as a jeweller). When she spoke of the sixties she once said "we had something to say, not something to sell". Suze passed away in early 2011, aged 67.
To be quite frank, I believe that Mrs. Rotolo's and Carla's fears for Suze were probably well founded. Bob Dylan probably had no long-term intention of supporting Suze. Suze left home and lived in a de-facto relationship with a womanising poet/musician to whom she was pregnant at 19 years of age. I'm sure there would be plenty of mothers and older sisters who when faced with this situation would similarly try to protect their loved one from all the potential hurts and danger this kind of situation holds. Dylan's response wasn't just to find material to write about, but to publically insult these women through the medium of his music. The lyrics in this song are clear in whom they target and their intent, for example the words "for her parasite sister, I had no respect" doesn't need any poetic interpretation.
The lyrics below pretty much sum up the song and the situation:
"Through young summer's breeze, I stole her away From her mother and sister, though close did they stay. Each one of them suffering from the failures of their day, With strings of guilt they tried hard to guide us."
@nylex "baby blue" was about him breaking with the folk scene, not so much about Rotolo.
@nylex "baby blue" was about him breaking with the folk scene, not so much about Rotolo.