I love the way the rythmn section (i think Sly and robbie) pulses along in the verses and then makes a beautiful change heading into the chorus. 80s production is da bomb!
@TheNEWBobDylan Well i'd probly take his opinion before yours but you have a right to hear what you hear. By the way, do you know who Dylan "copied his vocal style" from? You must be an advanced guitarist i.e you can play Chet Atkins Style guitar effortlessly, some classical, jazz, and or pretty much any style. If you can't you might want to open those curtains with your mind and maybe learm something from a superior player to yourself.
I am aware of how dylan's affrectations of huntington's disease stem from his repertoire of Woody Guthrie songs, if that's what you mean.
Funny how you think you know what I can do on the guitar and what I can't...
My mind has no curtains, my pineal gland is tweaked and my third eye has has been fully squeegeed..
Incidentally what is it one can learn from Knopfler? I'd be interested to hear what you would say that is...not in relation to my knowledge specifically...but generally.
You want "general knowledge"? I can't help,sounds like bullshit to me. Specifically, well you can learn to play one of his songs verbatim. You tube has him onn acoustic w Chet Atkins playing a Beatles tune. Pick that out on your guitar, note for note, you could learn that. But face it man, if either of us could wipe his ass we would not be on you tube having a spat. Peace bro'
Look this isn't a spat it is a discourse ...I just would like to know what you think is so amazing about Knopfler. No actually...I realise you are clearly a numpty so forget it...
what is a numpty? is that an insult? perhaps you should squeege your pineal gland some more. it is obvious now you can't play the guitar and those arre the people who have no right to an opinion. Knopfler has proved how amazing he is. He produces and plays with Dylan who knows he is one of the great guitar players. Is that not enough. You just want to argue and to criticize Mark Knopfler is ignorant; maybe i done too much acid since 1970 and got tired of brats who don't know the word dues.
I was playing metallica solos when I was sixteen. Now I am over thirty...I have 6 guitars in my sight as I type...gibson, fender..brazilian folk guitar, 12 string acoustic... I can play guitar you presumptuous moron. You have failed to impress upon me anything good about Knopfler except Dylan likes him. I don't want to argue I want to learn. Fool.
Metallica solos! Wow. I am impressed ,being a moron. Metallica sucks and their guitar player(s) really suck bad. Their music is made for morons, and 16 year olds. I was playing long before you were born, but wait , you have 6 guitars. Wow!! Do you still listen to Metallica w/ your pinneal gland squeeged. You want to learn what? You have given yourself away w/ that Metallica line.You can play, so can George T. Do you drink alone, all by yourself? And then shred Metallica "solos" .
@markjutah *sigh ... you clearly don't understand metal at all or have any understanding of the rather accomplished musicians that play it. Anyway, I USED TO play those things when I was sixteen. I'd wager you couldn't even play them now...even if you wanted to. You told me to open my mind about things and now you have exposed your own closed mindedness.
I'm still waiting for you to say anything actually about knopflers playing...
Don't start with your "sigh" shit. Go take a f.... ing nap. Love the use of the word "rather". And Dylan's "affrectations" from Huntingtons due to his influences. Maybe I read too well; fold that sigh and put it where the moon don't shine. Why would I want to waste my time playing Metal. I am not sixteen and have no interest in Metal. I thought it went out with Ozzy Osbourne, hell I don't know. Really nothing personal, just messing around. Since you have played for a long time I have respect.
@markjutah ...The personal stuff bores me, you really don't know anything about me and your inaccurate assumptions based on your poor reading skills render your criticisms woefully impotent.
As for the patronising shit, rememberHendrix died at 27 but I suppose you're better because you're older right?
I have the benefit of access to all the music you love and more from the generations after that you can't understand or choose not to understand. I laugh at your attempts to belittle me...
Sorry man; did not want to make it personal; aproblem using text to talk. Yes you are right, I can't play "Metal"; don't know what that is and you may be a great guitar player. My only criticism was of Metallica. As Mark Twain said about Wagner, " they are better than they sound." Not sure you know what music I love or why you presume to know, using your vernacular," you presumptuous moron." I presumed any guitarist would appreciate knopfler who has made tons as a song writer and guitarist.
Music is the silence between the notes....Debussy.
Seems we agree on something. A quote I love about Steve Vai is: It's great to have a wide musical vocabulary but you don't have to use big words all the time....
What albums would you recommend to hear the best of knopfler?
The chorus is just pure brilliance I wonder if he wrote it first and used that as the idea to write the rest "Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune, bird fly high by the light of the moon"
i AM A STONE DYLAN FREAK AND I HAVE HEARD JOKERMAN THOUSANDS OF TIMES....STILL DO NO FOR SURE WHAT IT IS ABOUT, BUT I SURE LOVE THE POETRY. INCREDIBLE SONG. DYLAN WOULD SAY IT MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME HE SINGS IT.
You will never hear a better composition than this. Those of us who have loved Bob from afar for most of our lives know where he was when he made Infidel. It is a mediation on the duality between good and evil. He forcefulyy implies that, as in Ecclesiastes, all this vanity and folly will make fools (or Jokermen) of those who fail to grasp an eternal truth that awaits us all at the end of this short material sojourn. From that perspective the complex symbolism becomes easier to grasp.
Both Reagan and Kennedy are pictured. It's been intuited the lyrics refer to Andy Warhol. But to understand Dylan's lyrics, one must hold a PhD in Deconstructionism. He admits little of the lyrics make sense, which lends itself to construing and misconstruing its meaning. He was quoted saying, "I'm paying for this?", in reference to the backlash from the Christian community regarding lyrics to Jokerman. Still, it's a far stretch to connect the Dylan/antichrist dots.
It seems he's singing about the devil. Most of the references, couldn't possibly apply to god. The 'white steed' noted in the Bible, represents evil/devil; not a form of transportation for god. Further, the lyrics read, 'you were born with two snakes in your fists.' For believers, god doesn't have a 'beginning.' Skeptics can wrongly dissect lyrics, search for demonic meanings in records played backward, and hold the belief that in essence, music is evil, unless it's Christian music.
jokerman is about the man, the man that make history and the man that was part of the history or probably is just another dylan's lyric that not even him understands, he said once to joan baez "one of this days people will read my lyrics and they'll be wondering what a fuck is this?, and i don't even know it"
The effects of the Jokerman from 1983 have just recently taken a toll on our nation Welcome to voodoo economics, you are officially being trickled down on. (Great Song!)
this song is about an outsider. one who abscondes from a society he feels is false and insidious and incompatible with truth. He becomes a man of the mountains, the jungles and seas. A humble ponderer of the the stars (while a small dog licks his face). However he is also a manipulator of crowds? a young John the baptist maybe? No i think this jokerman flys above the world of man and religion. He wont play their game, and he wont be baited, he wont show any response
I think Dylan enjoys singing this song because, besides writing it, he knows no one els can sing it. I never even thought about who the jokerman was when I first listened. I think it's a combination of real and mythical people.
mmm I wouldn't say so. I think that the chorus(jokerman dance to the nightngale tune...) is a refrence to Jesus. Why? Because if you see the rest of the song, Dylan sings about the atrocities man has done and how powerful( the books of the bible refernce, migelangelo's features, walk in the clouds) and, however, careless Jesus does shit for mankind (oh jokerman you don't show any response) but to pretend and fake everything is good (dancing to the nightngale tune)
and then you see everything just gets nastier, until Dylan makes a reference of the anti-christ (he'll put the priest in his pockets) and how all those things are happenning, though he seems to let them happen and just dance and pretend all is good...well that's my theory :P
Great newer songs (90s or later): Blind Willie McTell, Po' Boy, Nettie Moore, Not Dark Yet, Blood in my Eyes...I really like everything off the albums "Love and Theft" and "Good as I Been to You"
Some theories I've heard about who the Jokerman is: God Jesus The Devil Abraham Ronald Reagan Bob Dylan himself Lonnie Frisbee Humanity Chance/fate Adolf Hitler Alexander Pope It could be one, all, some or none of the above. What's your theory?
My theory theyak, is that the Jokerman is Jesus. The old adage comes to mind : "only a crazy person would expect the whole of humanity to change the way they think, therefore only a crazy person(or a jokerman) can change humanity"
In 1983 there was only one person that everything said could possibly apply to. As anarchist Dylan always challenged the hegemonic in a way only he could.
It took me a few listens to really get this song, but now I place it in my top 10 of all of his songs. The lyrics, the groove, the vocals, the harp at the end, this is Dylan at the top of his game!!
I took to playing acoustic guitar about 1 & years ago and learned a song by bob called 'the lonesome death of hattie carrol' i was ashamed that i didnt know more of his talent and i'm in my 40's now but this is one of the best songs i ever heard bob dylan sing simply awesome!!
Bob once told me who the jokerman was but I swore I'd never tell come waterboards, bancruptcies,foreclosures,renditions,sour looks,expressions,disdain,discomfort or dysentary,I was to keep smiling not tellin grittin my remaining teeth,counting lost hairs and blood,tingled,tangled or tasered wearing a crown of beer caps I was to keep my vow...but now...now I tell before this character count counts down with and with out hesitation or doubt, truth is coming out the Jokerman is what pisses you off
I started to get into Dylan in High School during the early '80s. One of my best friends would always give me a hard time about it mainly because of Bob's voice. One day we were riding in his car and I put in the cassette of this album. He wasn't too happy about it but he let me play it anyway. When this song came on he turned eerily silent. When the song was over he was silent for a few more seconds and then said, "That was pretty good."
I get it,and that makes me feel good about who I am.Wow this production is top notch,but who exactly is jokerman?Isit the big money men on wall street?what do you think?Good God this song is catharctic.
sim, o mark knopfler tocou, juntamente com o seu teclista ( nao me lembro do nome). tambem tocaram a mais famosa seccao ritmica (bateria e baixo) do mundo do reggae. sly dunbar e robbie shakespear. estes dois tocaram com os mais famosos artistas reggae do mundo e continuam a faze-lo. precurem em, sly&robbie
Uno de los mejores sin ninguna duda, pero no me atreveria a calificarlo como el mejor de todos los tiempos, de hecho, no lo haria con ninguno, ya que existen muchos genios en esto de la musica, y por supuesto el maestro Bob es uno de ellos.
No one can devise arrangements and instrumental combos like Dylan! Master at everything he touches! Wish he had paid as much attention to his voice's health.
Thank you than you thank you for posting this!! This is the video I've been yearning to encounter again for...I don't know how many years. I was a little girl, ten or something, when I first saw it on telly. It was with the Japanese subtitles for the lyrics and I was struck by the poetry and beauty of those words. Strange how time flies. This song is timeless. Thank you again, Mr. videorama123. You made my day.
i have come back to clarify. one of the most amazing and brilliant songs i have ever heard. and then matched up with this awesome video makes it just... unbeatable. rock on bob!
puta ki pariu essa musica é imaculada esse viado do caetano merdoso cometeu uma heresia filho da puta tinha que ter vergonha de ter nascido pra "mexer"nessa musica...abçs
Because its not the Moon its Warner Bros Studio. There is however, a Very Dark Shadow rising from North America and it is threatning to engulf the Planet in Darkness
There IS a shadow from the flag if you'd care to look instead of falling back on conspiracy theory. You can see it just above the "Classic" logo in the lower right.
Mmmm their appears to be wires from above attached to their upper backs? To give more lift and distance to their choreographed cavorting! To make it seem know doubt, that they are in an environment where the pull of gravity is much less than here on Terra Firma! Fake
Great images by Vargas, great imagery by Zimmerman. I got chills when I watched this in 83 and i still get 'em when I see this again. Thanks for posting!
Infidels was my introduction to Dylan, I know every song word for word. But the critics were right his earlier stuff was better for the most part. But that takes nothing away from Infidels
I am only now starting to understand what the words mean in this song. But the first time I saw it on MTV years ago I immediately knew that it was the greatest song of all time. Even though back then I didn't understand what he was saying.
and the rest think they are so smart
82558061 1 year ago
ボブディランの一番かっこいい曲だと思います！！スライ＆ロビーとマーク・ノップラーがこんなにマッチするとは！！！
siho0708 1 year ago
I love the way the rythmn section (i think Sly and robbie) pulses along in the verses and then makes a beautiful change heading into the chorus. 80s production is da bomb!
jlange70 2 years ago
a masterpiece
boniikambingiblis 2 years ago
knopfler sucks...copies his whole vocal style from bob.
Hate his bell-like cheese tone, so over-rated.
I love this tune though...Bob is awesome, literally.
TheNEWBobDylan 2 years ago
@TheNEWBobDylan "knopfler sucks"
I guess Dylan disagrees. He is one of the most under-rated guitarists alive. Cheese tone--got wax in your ears??
markjutah 2 years ago
Dylan can agree, I don't.
Knopfler is far from underrated.
It's "bell-like cheese tone" , as in knob-cheddar...
If he was playing in my back garden I'd close the curtains.
TheNEWBobDylan 2 years ago
@TheNEWBobDylan Well i'd probly take his opinion before yours but you have a right to hear what you hear. By the way, do you know who Dylan "copied his vocal style" from? You must be an advanced guitarist i.e you can play Chet Atkins Style guitar effortlessly, some classical, jazz, and or pretty much any style. If you can't you might want to open those curtains with your mind and maybe learm something from a superior player to yourself.
markjutah 2 years ago
@markjutah
I am aware of how dylan's affrectations of huntington's disease stem from his repertoire of Woody Guthrie songs, if that's what you mean.
Funny how you think you know what I can do on the guitar and what I can't...
My mind has no curtains, my pineal gland is tweaked and my third eye has has been fully squeegeed..
Incidentally what is it one can learn from Knopfler? I'd be interested to hear what you would say that is...not in relation to my knowledge specifically...but generally.
TheNEWBobDylan 2 years ago
You want "general knowledge"? I can't help,sounds like bullshit to me. Specifically, well you can learn to play one of his songs verbatim. You tube has him onn acoustic w Chet Atkins playing a Beatles tune. Pick that out on your guitar, note for note, you could learn that. But face it man, if either of us could wipe his ass we would not be on you tube having a spat. Peace bro'
markjutah 2 years ago
Look this isn't a spat it is a discourse ...I just would like to know what you think is so amazing about Knopfler. No actually...I realise you are clearly a numpty so forget it...
TheNEWBobDylan 2 years ago
what is a numpty? is that an insult? perhaps you should squeege your pineal gland some more. it is obvious now you can't play the guitar and those arre the people who have no right to an opinion. Knopfler has proved how amazing he is. He produces and plays with Dylan who knows he is one of the great guitar players. Is that not enough. You just want to argue and to criticize Mark Knopfler is ignorant; maybe i done too much acid since 1970 and got tired of brats who don't know the word dues.
markjutah 2 years ago
I was playing metallica solos when I was sixteen. Now I am over thirty...I have 6 guitars in my sight as I type...gibson, fender..brazilian folk guitar, 12 string acoustic... I can play guitar you presumptuous moron. You have failed to impress upon me anything good about Knopfler except Dylan likes him. I don't want to argue I want to learn. Fool.
TheNEWBobDylan 2 years ago
Metallica solos! Wow. I am impressed ,being a moron. Metallica sucks and their guitar player(s) really suck bad. Their music is made for morons, and 16 year olds. I was playing long before you were born, but wait , you have 6 guitars. Wow!! Do you still listen to Metallica w/ your pinneal gland squeeged. You want to learn what? You have given yourself away w/ that Metallica line.You can play, so can George T. Do you drink alone, all by yourself? And then shred Metallica "solos" .
markjutah 2 years ago
@markjutah *sigh ... you clearly don't understand metal at all or have any understanding of the rather accomplished musicians that play it. Anyway, I USED TO play those things when I was sixteen. I'd wager you couldn't even play them now...even if you wanted to. You told me to open my mind about things and now you have exposed your own closed mindedness.
I'm still waiting for you to say anything actually about knopflers playing...
TheNEWBobDylan 1 year ago
Don't start with your "sigh" shit. Go take a f.... ing nap. Love the use of the word "rather". And Dylan's "affrectations" from Huntingtons due to his influences. Maybe I read too well; fold that sigh and put it where the moon don't shine. Why would I want to waste my time playing Metal. I am not sixteen and have no interest in Metal. I thought it went out with Ozzy Osbourne, hell I don't know. Really nothing personal, just messing around. Since you have played for a long time I have respect.
markjutah 1 year ago
@markjutah ...The personal stuff bores me, you really don't know anything about me and your inaccurate assumptions based on your poor reading skills render your criticisms woefully impotent.
As for the patronising shit, rememberHendrix died at 27 but I suppose you're better because you're older right?
I have the benefit of access to all the music you love and more from the generations after that you can't understand or choose not to understand. I laugh at your attempts to belittle me...
TheNEWBobDylan 1 year ago
Sorry man; did not want to make it personal; aproblem using text to talk. Yes you are right, I can't play "Metal"; don't know what that is and you may be a great guitar player. My only criticism was of Metallica. As Mark Twain said about Wagner, " they are better than they sound." Not sure you know what music I love or why you presume to know, using your vernacular," you presumptuous moron." I presumed any guitarist would appreciate knopfler who has made tons as a song writer and guitarist.
markjutah 1 year ago
Music is the silence between the notes....Debussy.
Seems we agree on something. A quote I love about Steve Vai is: It's great to have a wide musical vocabulary but you don't have to use big words all the time....
What albums would you recommend to hear the best of knopfler?
TheNEWBobDylan 1 year ago
Oh great, an opinion about music from someone who likes the Sugarcubes. This should be good for a laugh...
PutItAway101 1 year ago
'Hit' is one of the most perfect pop songs ever.
TheNEWBobDylan 1 year ago
Sorry; i forgot; Roscoe Holcomb;
markjutah 2 years ago
you idiots hes a poet not a song writer
thefishmen1 2 years ago
Dylan + Knopfler = Sublime!
TheNigelr 2 years ago
The chorus is just pure brilliance I wonder if he wrote it first and used that as the idea to write the rest "Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune, bird fly high by the light of the moon"
Rigerdaby 2 years ago 2
Magnifique!
Jolie028 2 years ago
dylan is one of the best song writers and performers of all time.....thank you.
ratpackgrandpa 2 years ago 5
i AM A STONE DYLAN FREAK AND I HAVE HEARD JOKERMAN THOUSANDS OF TIMES....STILL DO NO FOR SURE WHAT IT IS ABOUT, BUT I SURE LOVE THE POETRY. INCREDIBLE SONG. DYLAN WOULD SAY IT MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY TIME HE SINGS IT.
TimTimTimbo 2 years ago
You will never hear a better composition than this. Those of us who have loved Bob from afar for most of our lives know where he was when he made Infidel. It is a mediation on the duality between good and evil. He forcefulyy implies that, as in Ecclesiastes, all this vanity and folly will make fools (or Jokermen) of those who fail to grasp an eternal truth that awaits us all at the end of this short material sojourn. From that perspective the complex symbolism becomes easier to grasp.
SvendBosanvovski 2 years ago 4
˙ƃuos ǝʇıɹnoʌɐɟ ʎɯ sı sıɥʇ
kevinthekiwi 2 years ago 5
keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
lukemcgill999 2 years ago 3
cantar com emoçao!
somente BOB DYLAN entre poucos sabe faze-lo! parabens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
por essa maravilhosa cançao!
lizezeu 2 years ago 3
lovely.......
treetau 2 years ago
pure dylan
east37thstreet 2 years ago
Maestro, indiscutiblemente. fakiu arjona cabral, sabina y demas trovadrocillos fakiu
DESCASEELSEPTIMODIA 2 years ago
i love too! tanks!
alvarosantiagoferrei 2 years ago
I hear that Kylie Minogue has a single of this song coming out soon
theredhackle 2 years ago
One of the best clips ever made and a brilliant song to boot, check out bob at 5:32.
and by the way its Knopfler on the electric strings.
HaydnRamone 2 years ago 2
This is one of my Favourite s.I love this.
maree021 2 years ago
just absolutly in love if Dylan.
Just yesterday someone asked me what was the most impressive artist of the last century(1900-2000).
I awnser fast... that was Picasso. Maybe i was right, maybe it really was Picasso... but Dylan make really close 2nd in my opinion. He is a genius.
And this song... as someone said a few pages back, "i am sorry for those who never listened this song".
ivancavallazzi 2 years ago
this is the Man, this is the Man..
beuzebucaifaz 2 years ago 3
one of his best songs wat a legend
conpatrickquinn 2 years ago
bob dylan = fucking AWESOME!
jarrodwilton08 2 years ago
good
leocosta7 2 years ago
magnifico
bravo
viva bob dylan
lipelupemafiosos 2 years ago
Both Reagan and Kennedy are pictured. It's been intuited the lyrics refer to Andy Warhol. But to understand Dylan's lyrics, one must hold a PhD in Deconstructionism. He admits little of the lyrics make sense, which lends itself to construing and misconstruing its meaning. He was quoted saying, "I'm paying for this?", in reference to the backlash from the Christian community regarding lyrics to Jokerman. Still, it's a far stretch to connect the Dylan/antichrist dots.
JackedUpJabberwock 2 years ago
your a wanker...
GOONZILLA92 2 years ago
who is the president being represented by the jokerman?
whoadavidson17 2 years ago
It seems he's singing about the devil. Most of the references, couldn't possibly apply to god. The 'white steed' noted in the Bible, represents evil/devil; not a form of transportation for god. Further, the lyrics read, 'you were born with two snakes in your fists.' For believers, god doesn't have a 'beginning.' Skeptics can wrongly dissect lyrics, search for demonic meanings in records played backward, and hold the belief that in essence, music is evil, unless it's Christian music.
JackedUpJabberwock 2 years ago
Brillliantly made video! beautiful song.
purplelioness7 2 years ago
If Shakespeare had written music it would've be something like this
Ben4004 2 years ago
I would prefer Bob Dylan to Shakespeare.
justAnotherJapanese 2 years ago 3
Good One
theredhackle 2 years ago
I love classic Dylan, it just doesn't get any better than this! even if i don't understand what he's trying to say
srvfan454 2 years ago
jokerman is about the man, the man that make history and the man that was part of the history or probably is just another dylan's lyric that not even him understands, he said once to joan baez "one of this days people will read my lyrics and they'll be wondering what a fuck is this?, and i don't even know it"
Appears on the movie "No Direction Home"
koridatz 2 years ago
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecuter within
Great lines
kosser321 2 years ago
The effects of the Jokerman from 1983 have just recently taken a toll on our nation Welcome to voodoo economics, you are officially being trickled down on. (Great Song!)
wallyqally 2 years ago
lovely song. who cares about the jokerman ? the song could talk about anything, it´ll be the same.
cseixas05 2 years ago
bow in honor
walterbrob 2 years ago
Amazing song... amazing vid... amazing lyrics... Love Dylan...
Faerie75 2 years ago 2
my God and Guru
FonzcSailo 2 years ago
this song is about an outsider. one who abscondes from a society he feels is false and insidious and incompatible with truth. He becomes a man of the mountains, the jungles and seas. A humble ponderer of the the stars (while a small dog licks his face). However he is also a manipulator of crowds? a young John the baptist maybe? No i think this jokerman flys above the world of man and religion. He wont play their game, and he wont be baited, he wont show any response
AndreDelacroix24 2 years ago
he has the words of the world.He has the fantasy of the women the love of the landscapes....;)
rosariaisabella 2 years ago
Comment removed
AndreDelacroix24 2 years ago
I think Dylan enjoys singing this song because, besides writing it, he knows no one els can sing it. I never even thought about who the jokerman was when I first listened. I think it's a combination of real and mythical people.
grainofsandfan 2 years ago
Talented Genius! YES ahh i love this man and his lyrics
lizdfizzz 2 years ago 2
I've always had a VERY strong feeling this song was a clever trick. Kind of like Robert Frost's 'The Road Not Taken'.
kidheadcase 2 years ago
He's talking about himself......Awesome :-)
melvinmisfit 2 years ago
I do not remember seeing Dylan with Night Sticks, water cannons, tear gas and rocks.
wallyqally 2 years ago
it doesn't say the jokerman has those things, just that they are behind every curtain...
mooseweezy98 2 years ago
The Jokerman provoked all those thing and they were always a threat because of the Jokerman.
World Trade Center Bombings etc.. Every prophesy will come to pass.
Night will come steppin in. (Great Song!)
wallyqally 2 years ago
Id say he sang this for his father
Onetonofmayo 2 years ago
mmm I wouldn't say so. I think that the chorus(jokerman dance to the nightngale tune...) is a refrence to Jesus. Why? Because if you see the rest of the song, Dylan sings about the atrocities man has done and how powerful( the books of the bible refernce, migelangelo's features, walk in the clouds) and, however, careless Jesus does shit for mankind (oh jokerman you don't show any response) but to pretend and fake everything is good (dancing to the nightngale tune)
batitony 2 years ago
and then you see everything just gets nastier, until Dylan makes a reference of the anti-christ (he'll put the priest in his pockets) and how all those things are happenning, though he seems to let them happen and just dance and pretend all is good...well that's my theory :P
batitony 2 years ago
I guess it could be any body you want-This Guy is a Talented Genius!
martoneperpall 2 years ago
heres a theory why dont you stop trying to analyze the song and just except it as an amazing piece of music
isimonides 2 years ago
love this video! bob looks so cool! i take back the being stiff comment from below!
Jasonmcintyre2007 2 years ago
sqintish wink so cool hes the master of words any one now any newer great songs like this?
john2of51958 3 years ago
Great newer songs (90s or later): Blind Willie McTell, Po' Boy, Nettie Moore, Not Dark Yet, Blood in my Eyes...I really like everything off the albums "Love and Theft" and "Good as I Been to You"
pblync 2 years ago
One of my fave Dylan songs!! Great vid, I love that squint at the end *sight*
VioletaG1979 3 years ago
bob always looks stiff in his video's! love him dearly though
Jasonmcintyre2007 3 years ago
the last verse is pure poetry. its awesome
br00klynitalia 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i dont like his eighties period
highly disturbing
sixties way better
flywithmonkeys95 3 years ago
is folk song
uchihabarbosa 3 years ago
A seldom heard dylan classic. Ive heard it a hundreds times but still not sure WTF hes actually trying to say.
scepticVseptic 3 years ago
theyakkoman 2 years ago
My theory theyak, is that the Jokerman is Jesus. The old adage comes to mind : "only a crazy person would expect the whole of humanity to change the way they think, therefore only a crazy person(or a jokerman) can change humanity"
scepticVseptic 2 years ago
In 1983 there was only one person that everything said could possibly apply to. As anarchist Dylan always challenged the hegemonic in a way only he could.
wallyqally 2 years ago
It took me a few listens to really get this song, but now I place it in my top 10 of all of his songs. The lyrics, the groove, the vocals, the harp at the end, this is Dylan at the top of his game!!
romano9174 3 years ago 4
Bob Dylan is a genious such an incredably talented and gifted man greatest songwritter ever
Mastas999 3 years ago 5
I took to playing acoustic guitar about 1 & years ago and learned a song by bob called 'the lonesome death of hattie carrol' i was ashamed that i didnt know more of his talent and i'm in my 40's now but this is one of the best songs i ever heard bob dylan sing simply awesome!!
herebesmewa 3 years ago
shedding off one more layer of skin, keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within....what amazing lyrics!
michaelvkelly1 3 years ago
Bob once told me who the jokerman was but I swore I'd never tell come waterboards, bancruptcies,foreclosures,renditions,sour looks,expressions,disdain,discomfort or dysentary,I was to keep smiling not tellin grittin my remaining teeth,counting lost hairs and blood,tingled,tangled or tasered wearing a crown of beer caps I was to keep my vow...but now...now I tell before this character count counts down with and with out hesitation or doubt, truth is coming out the Jokerman is what pisses you off
idiot2go 3 years ago
I started to get into Dylan in High School during the early '80s. One of my best friends would always give me a hard time about it mainly because of Bob's voice. One day we were riding in his car and I put in the cassette of this album. He wasn't too happy about it but he let me play it anyway. When this song came on he turned eerily silent. When the song was over he was silent for a few more seconds and then said, "That was pretty good."
johnow7 3 years ago 2
He is the greatest songwriter of all time in my opinion for what its worth. He is brilliant.
Ewesgirl 3 years ago 2
I'm witcha. Legend. Shakespeare's second comin' man. Gonna see him in April for the first time too!
princemojorising 3 years ago
someday people will be impressed that we lived in the age of dylan
look at him in this video and then think of what it would be like to have witnessed the look on shakespeare's face as he was writing his plays
thank you, bob!
SteveonLI 3 years ago 2
Was and still is one of the best musicians in the world. Obviously a man of inteligence about the human condition and what makes us tick.. A sage..
kingofcelts 3 years ago
Nice video.
Thanks for posting it.
sallesluciana 3 years ago
I love you Bob Dylan!!!
sallesluciana 3 years ago
I get it,and that makes me feel good about who I am.Wow this production is top notch,but who exactly is jokerman?Isit the big money men on wall street?what do you think?Good God this song is catharctic.
gerald12757 3 years ago
hahahahahahahahahahahahah
uninspiringly literal video.
but it was the 80s.
thankfully bobby is sort of timeless.
cosmicamphetameans 3 years ago
same with Mark Knopfler who is playing guitar on this one...
prompen3 3 years ago
The beauty of this video is that you can have the most literal images yet the song still remains a mystery with those great lyrics. What genius.
I'm not sure if the guitar licks are Knopfler or Mick Taylor but they complement the singing perfectly.
Sanjuro333 2 years ago
fantastic song
coconadas 3 years ago
Well done.
Deep song.
HighTimeTunes 3 years ago
fracking great
KazakageoftheSand 3 years ago
He's the shit! I agree 100%, he's awesome! The video is not too bad either!
skoutariotis 3 years ago
bob is the man! fantastic song! blows me away
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago 2
2meke , aotearoa new zealand , bobs a talented musician
gtt351 3 years ago
Simply Perfect !!!!
coconadas 3 years ago
jokermans mint!!
clauwood1 3 years ago
Yeah, love this song and the video too!
aaronryanmusic 3 years ago
melhor que ha!!!linda d+
Maysaspg 3 years ago
one of dylans best songs
cnlkurtz 3 years ago
what a great song :)
gadesmcp 3 years ago
its at 4:04
leomaxlucas 3 years ago
Has anyone seen the Ali as St. Stephan picture before?
leomaxlucas 3 years ago
It's from a photoshoot for Esquire magazine done sometime in the 60's...
kanjop 3 years ago
good deal, thanks.
leomaxlucas 3 years ago
sim, o mark knopfler tocou, juntamente com o seu teclista ( nao me lembro do nome). tambem tocaram a mais famosa seccao ritmica (bateria e baixo) do mundo do reggae. sly dunbar e robbie shakespear. estes dois tocaram com os mais famosos artistas reggae do mundo e continuam a faze-lo. precurem em, sly&robbie
luis1coelho 3 years ago
Jokerman me encantou há mais de 20 anos...eterna!!Dylan é 100%
renatapmelo 3 years ago
Is this one of the songs Mark Knopfler played guitar on?
GuitarWhisperer 3 years ago
was blowing...
ingfulu 3 years ago
Is this the official music video?
jazzcup 3 years ago
yep looks like it :)
intrablue08 3 years ago
poxa adoro,falar o que ,quando chegamos a perfeição,se superamos em tudo,somos apenas humanos
agfer45 3 years ago
whoever talks about his voice not matching up to his style is a deluded dodo...its as shot and beat as it should be...love the crackle
zarinabegum 3 years ago
el mejor musico de todos los tiempos
zacharymich13 3 years ago
Uno de los mejores sin ninguna duda, pero no me atreveria a calificarlo como el mejor de todos los tiempos, de hecho, no lo haria con ninguno, ya que existen muchos genios en esto de la musica, y por supuesto el maestro Bob es uno de ellos.
mipebar 3 years ago
I think they should have had Adam Sandler portray Dylan in that movie they just made.
GuitarWhisperer 3 years ago
Mentioning those two names in the same sentence = FAIL
Sanjuro333 2 years ago
Heath Ledger
jeanenila 3 years ago
????
videorama123 3 years ago
No one can devise arrangements and instrumental combos like Dylan! Master at everything he touches! Wish he had paid as much attention to his voice's health.
lustre5 3 years ago
Agreed
Later day Dylan, almost sounds like he's had a stroke. Slurring words etc.
nzuser2 3 years ago
the nazis are here in 2008, and bob knew it . we love you from new zealand. satan you deciever you lier .only the politician love you satan
.
fuk da new world order.
jesus loves us . hold on to what we got.
love peace and the truth,.....
MUKUNDA2007 3 years ago
i feel sorry for any one who has not heard this song
beatboxingpktkd 3 years ago
Spot on comment
longingtobethere08 3 years ago
agree 100%!!
videorama123 3 years ago
Classic!
CINEMAHOP21 3 years ago 2
who is the jokerman?
capgun17 3 years ago 2
the persecutor within...
TheOnlyMarthaDee 3 years ago 2
I thought it was Reagan... lol
pedropinto85 3 years ago
One of the best songs ever. I'm not a Dylan fan but this CD is just fantastic.
Symmetry44 3 years ago
Bob Dylan sings Jokerman
The Joker from Batman is in the video
Heath ledger play Bob Dylan in I'm Not There
Heath Ledger play The Joker in Dark Knight
OMG
zeprefel 3 years ago 3
Thank you than you thank you for posting this!! This is the video I've been yearning to encounter again for...I don't know how many years. I was a little girl, ten or something, when I first saw it on telly. It was with the Japanese subtitles for the lyrics and I was struck by the poetry and beauty of those words. Strange how time flies. This song is timeless. Thank you again, Mr. videorama123. You made my day.
tairanotomomori 3 years ago
i have come back to clarify. one of the most amazing and brilliant songs i have ever heard. and then matched up with this awesome video makes it just... unbeatable. rock on bob!
deadhead362 3 years ago
bob is the man! fantastic song! blows me away
deadhead362 3 years ago
INCREDIBLE song. bob dylan is truly the best.
beatboxingpktkd 3 years ago
Is this song just not perfect??? First Dylan song I really got into, long, long ago... Smokin' video too!
jawhitten 3 years ago
música foda
ainda vem o filho da puta do caetano veloso e caga em cima, FILHO DA PUTA.
Abraços,
Vanderson.
vanhunterx 3 years ago
puta ki pariu essa musica é imaculada esse viado do caetano merdoso cometeu uma heresia filho da puta tinha que ter vergonha de ter nascido pra "mexer"nessa musica...abçs
bfrv 3 years ago
concordo contigo! Aquele viado devia cantar com o katiguele!
stigmaweb 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
probably the worst dylan song ever, its sounbs like ub40. erughhh
anycolouryouwant 3 years ago
Something is happening here, but you dont know what it is? Do you Mr....
blujufirst 3 years ago
I love this music.
Pearl10 3 years ago
Awesome...
Foggystar 3 years ago
Bob Dylan is SO hot. In every single aspect.
Xochiquetzal2006 3 years ago 7
The book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy? Hardly - that's a shot of Dayeinu from the hagadah. Lol!
leah1959 3 years ago
Brilliant song
cleo1994 3 years ago
ALL HAIL DYLAN!
dlrice 3 years ago
I love this song.
fitnessninja 3 years ago
BRILLANT. THANKS SO MUCH.
sirtinycreep 3 years ago
Amúsica da minha vida, simplesmente, maravilhosa!!!
Rofngr 3 years ago 2
ouvi sem querer essa música, e não parei mais.
geovanesouza 4 years ago
why does the flag on the moon doesn't have its shadow?
lamartineta 4 years ago
Because its not the Moon its Warner Bros Studio. There is however, a Very Dark Shadow rising from North America and it is threatning to engulf the Planet in Darkness
blujufirst 4 years ago
There IS a shadow from the flag if you'd care to look instead of falling back on conspiracy theory. You can see it just above the "Classic" logo in the lower right.
767676jdjdjd 3 years ago
Mmmm their appears to be wires from above attached to their upper backs? To give more lift and distance to their choreographed cavorting! To make it seem know doubt, that they are in an environment where the pull of gravity is much less than here on Terra Firma! Fake
blujufirst 3 years ago
this is the best song of bob
Justidee 4 years ago
a beatfle song ;bob you are a great
khalidkezzar 4 years ago
Great images by Vargas, great imagery by Zimmerman. I got chills when I watched this in 83 and i still get 'em when I see this again. Thanks for posting!
rabidgoldfish65 4 years ago
this album was zims best ever!!! to see the lyrics and how they are aqeless is priceless
history is repeating this right now
wake up Bush, u asso!!!
Bush is whack, get those kids back here now
we have enough problems of our own
Peace -
RU-Out
imru4real 4 years ago
The 80s dylan wasn't great. Every other decade was great but the 80s for him. This song is by far his best song that he wrote in the 80s
hammydahamburger 4 years ago 2
agree
videorama123 4 years ago
i think the songs on infidels has the most incredible lyrics
thcarmine 4 years ago 5
Infidels was my introduction to Dylan, I know every song word for word. But the critics were right his earlier stuff was better for the most part. But that takes nothing away from Infidels
blujufirst 4 years ago 3
Oh Mercy is even better.
badairguitar 3 years ago
I am only now starting to understand what the words mean in this song. But the first time I saw it on MTV years ago I immediately knew that it was the greatest song of all time. Even though back then I didn't understand what he was saying.
aaronhirshberg 4 years ago 4