The original title was "I'm Not There (1956)." Dylan himself once said it was "a song that is not there." It was recorded during the Basement Tapes sessions, probably in 1967, so I have no idea what the (1956) part means. Possibly Dylan is recalling a relationship he had much earlier, in his teens, which could account for the jumbled lyrical quality of the song -- it's an uncertain memory of a confusing time. But the emotions are absolutely clear, as others have said above.
The original title was "I'm Not There (1956)." Dylan himself once said it was "a song that is not there." It was recorded during the Basement Tapes sessions, probably in 1967, so I have no idea what the (1956) part means. Possibly Dylan is recalling a relationship he had much earlier, in his teens, which could account for the jumbled lyrical quality of the song -- it's an uncertain memory of a confusing time. But the emotions are absolutely clear, as others have said above.