Sign on the Window isn't the Bob Dylan podcast you need, but it's definitely the one that you want! Each week we select a Dylan song at random, live with the song for a week (or two) and then get together to discuss. This week we inch toward 100 episodes by going back to 1967's "Nothing Was Delivered."
This episode, Kelly and Daniel talk context (3:45), the differing takes and The Byrds cover (8:30), and song's message on politics, religion, drugs and deliverance (14:00).
Next episode: For tonight no light will shine on me
Context (3:45)
"Nothing Was Delivered" was recorded at Big Pink in the summer of 1967. Take 1 is what appeared on the 1975 Basement Tapes. This was one of the last songs of the Basement Tapes era.
Dylan has never performed this live.
Several writers note the influence of Fats Domino's 1940 standard "Blueberry Hill."
Versions (8:30)
As noted, Take 1 is on the 1975 Basement Tapes. It was part of a process of demoing songs, which led this being covered by The Byrds on their seminal Sweetheart at the Rodeo. Take 2 is quite different and reminds Daniel of John Wesley Harding with his talk/singing. Take 3 is quite different from the earlier two, with the recently returned Levon Helm on drums.
Song Itself (14:00)
Kelly and Daniel talk about the little of nuggets of wisdom baked into so many of these later songs from the basement. This song is no different:
I tell this truth to you
Not out of spite or anger
But simply because it’s true
Nothing is better, nothing is best
Take care of this and get plenty of rest
...as long as it takes to do this
Then that’s how long that you’ll remain
There's also a sermonizing element to the song, though Kelly sees this a rebuke of sorts. Daniel relates Robert Shelton on this song and King Lear. This prompts speculation on politics, drugs, even murder! It also prompts comparisons to "King of France" (Episode 08) and "Don't You Try Me Now" (Episode 11) and how songs like "Clothes Line Saga" (Episode 22) and this, even our listening John Wesley Harding (Episode 27), were important to understand the long bootlegged and rougher songs from the Red Room and Big Pink.
Does this work today?
Both agree its beautiful, but it's an open question. "Deliverance" as a concept will always resonate and this song is specific and vague and inscrutable enough to capture your attention.
Also, "take care of yourself and get plenty of rest" are just outstanding life goals!
THE EPISODE’S BOOKLET & PLAYLIST (26:00)
RECOMMENDATIONS (~30:00, officially 39:00)
Kelly enjoyed Pharside at Revolution Hall. She caught up on Schitt's Creek and Dragula. She read Batwoman and Sandman Tales. She listened to Team Sleep.
Daniel recommends the Maryland Renaissance Festival, from his latest roadtrip. But on that roadtrip, he listened to the deluxe edition of Abbey Road, Sturgill Simpson SOUND & FURY, Charley Crockett The Valley, Lagwagon Railer and Menzingers Hello Exile.
He also listened to the Horne Section podcast from Alex Horne of Taskmaster fame.
As for books: Téa Ohberts' Inland, Tara Westover's Educated and Eric Foner's Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution.
ENDINGS
Kelly guesses #81 — "You're A Big Girl Now."
We're going back to Nashville Skyline, "One More Night."
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