Forgetful Heart

Album: Together Through Life (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This mystical cut in a minor key borrows a line from Geoffrey Chaucer's late 14th century work Canterbury Tales. "Nothing shocks me more than that old clown" is from the father of English prose's The Summoner's Tale.
  • A banjo can be heard on this song's mix. In an article published on Dylan's website, Bill Flanagan asked how he decided to put a banjo on a minor key blues. Dylan replied: "I think it probably came up at the studio. A banjo wouldn't be out of character though. There is a minor key modality to 'Forgetful Heart.' It's like 'Little Maggie' or 'Darling Cory,' so there is no reason a banjo shouldn't fit or sound right."
  • This song concludes with a couplet that many are calling one of Dylan's best ever: "The door has closed forevermore / if there ever was a door."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Tony Banks of Genesis

Tony Banks of GenesisSongwriter Interviews

Genesis' key-man re-examines his solo career and the early days of music video.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Songs About Movies

Songs About MoviesSong Writing

Iron Maiden, Adele, Toto, Eminem and Earth, Wind & Fire are just some of the artists with songs directly inspired by movies - and not always good ones.

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.