Dark Eyes by Bob Dylan

Album: Empire Burlesque (1985)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Dylan laid this down this tune on March 3, 1985 as the final track for his Empire Burlesque album. Recorded live-to-tape with no video editing, overdubbing, or embellishment, the song features just Dylan on guitar and harmonica.
The disturbing, forlorn tune was written by Dylan virtually on demand when producer Arthur Baker suggested something simpler for the album's closing track. Baker recalled to Uncut magazine: "I mentioned this idea about doing an acoustic song to him, and then the very next day, he came in with this 'Dark Eyes.' I really thought it was a song he'd had. Because he had so many songs, he'd bring cassettes out, and he had just tons of songs. I never thought for a second that he'd just written this."
In his memoir Chronicles, Dylan wrote that the song was inspired by a meeting with a prostitute who "had a beautifulness, but not for this kind of world."

Comments: 1

Jeff from Lacey, WashingtonI've always felt this was one of Dylan's most under-appreciated songs, both in terms of quality and theme. It's a statement of the worldview started expressing way back in his early days, a distrust for the superficial world of the everyday and a love and devotion for the world of his muse. Whatever he meant by it, it's one of the beautiful songs he ever put down, in my humble opinion.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

White as SnowU2

Bono came up with the idea of focusing on a soldier's last thoughts as he dies from his wounds in the U2 song "White As Snow" after reading William Golding's 1956 novel Pincher Martin.

Head Over HeelsThe Go-Go's

"Head Over Heels" by The Go-Go's is a metaphor for how things were getting out of control for the band; they broke up a year later.

We Are The ChampionsQueen

Freddie Mercury considered "We Are The Champions" his version of "My Way." "We have made it, and it certainly wasn't easy," he said.

Jar of HeartsChristina Perri

Christina Perri's "Jar Of Hearts," written about her ex, became a big hit after it was used in a routine on So You Think You Can Dance.

Shelter From the StormBob Dylan

Bob Dylan helped popularize the concept of "burnout" in his 1975 song "Shelter From the Storm" when he sang: "I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail." That's how many Americans were feeling at the time as they worked harder for less pay.

All Through The NightCyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper's hit "All Through The Night" was written and originally recorded by Jules Shear, who also wrote "If She Knew What She Wants" by the Bangles.