I have always wished that “On A Night Like This” and “You Angel You” would have been paired together as they are both gentle folk-rock songs with lyrics that complement each other.
There are two songs that run counterpoint to the calm feel of the album. “Tough Mama” features one of his best vocals of the 70s. This is a full throttle rock ‘n’ roll song so turn it up loud. “Going, Going, Gone” finds The Band at their best. Robbie Robertson provides a masterful guitar solo and the group shows how well they meld with Dylan and his musical vision.
“Wedding Song” may be the most interesting song on the album. It is autobiographical in nature as Dylan sings about the wonders of married life and the escape from fame. His marital bliss would end shortly after this release but here at least his world is intact. “Dirge” is a song that calls or lures the listener back over and over again. It combines sparseness and desolation into an ultimately chilling experience. “Hazel,” on the other hand, is a nice bluesy ballad.
Planet Waves was a return to solid ground for Bob Dylan. It may not have been as creative as some of his very best work but it remains very listenable 34 years later.
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Article comments
1 - dylanologist
since when did "reaction" get a hyphen?
2 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Good review for what was indeed an often overlooked album. Highlights for me have always been "Tough Mama" and “Going, Going, Gone.”
3 - tim
Baez did not include Forever Young on her Diamonds & Rust album. It was only released as a single and on her live "From All Stages" album.
Simple Twist of Fate was included on the D&R package though, complete with her first recorded Dylan impersonation.
4 - kevin cramsey
There are definitely some hidden treasures on this album. "Something There is About You" and "Never say Goodbye" are beautiful, mid-tempo nostalgia-tinged pieces. You almost never hear about these songs. The familiar-style of the Band back in their old role of Dylan backing band has a lot to do with the success of this album. It runs out of steam near the end with "Dirge" and "Wedding Song," I feel, mainly because they are more or less solo tunes without band accompaniment.