Abandoned Love

Album: Biograph (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, a man pleads with a woman to allow him to stay with her one last night, before they finally break up: "One more time at midnight, near the wall/Take off your heavy makeup and your shawl/Won't you descend from the throne, from where you sit?/Let me feel your love one more time before I abandon it." This was written in 1975, when Dylan was splitting from his then-wife, Sara, so it is very likely to be about their tumultuous relationship. Bob and Sara ultimately divorced in 1977.
  • Dylan's future Traveling Wilburys bandmate George Harrison covered this song, as did the Everly Brothers.
  • This song was meant to appear on the 1976 album Desire, but was dropped in favor of the song, "Joey." It would not be officially released until 1985, when it featured on the 53-track compilation album, Biograph

Comments: 4

  • Ellen Kathleen Fyfe from Goderich, OntarioFirst heard this song by the Everley Brothers. Loved the lyrics from day one... got me through tough times for sure.
  • Joe from Stockholm, SwedenEventhough this was written in 75 before he released his slow train album I belive this song is about "is god real?" kind of question. Mean that he feels that the religion had fooled him "I’ve been deceived by the clown inside of me, I thought that he was righteous but he’s vain". and when it comes to the love and feelings he refers to "him"
  • Christine from Underhill, Vt"My head tells me it's time to make a change; my heart is telling me, I love you, but you're strange." That was a tagline for me and one of my old boyfriends.
  • Tam from Baton Rouge, LaOne of my favorites, this song got me through a crazy divorce.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.