Bob Dylan — What Was It You Wanted
Album: Oh MercyAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1207
Length: 4:59
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What was it you wanted?
Tell me again so I'll know.
What's happening in there,
What's going on in your show.
What was it you wanted,
Could you say it again?
I'll be back in a minute
You can get it together by then.
What was it you wanted
You can tell me, I'm back,
We can start it all over
Get it back on the track,
You got my attention,
Go ahead, speak.
What was it you wanted
When you were kissing my cheek?
Was there somebody looking
When you give me that kiss
Someone there in the shadows
Someone that I might have missed?
Is there something you needed,
Something I don't understand.
What was it you wanted,
Do I have it here in my hand?
Whatever you wanted
Slipped out of my mind,
Would you remind me again
If you'd be so kind.
Has the record been breaking,
Did the needle just skip,
Is there somebody waitin',
Was there a slip of the lip?
What was it you wanted
I ain't keepin' score
Are you the same person
That was here before?
Is it something important?
Maybe not.
What was it you wanted?
Tell me again I forgot.
Whatever you wanted
What could it be
Did somebody tell you
That you could get it from me,
Is it something that comes natural
Is it easy to say,
Why do you want it,
Who are you anyway?
Is the scenery changing,
Am I getting it wrong,
Is the whole thing going backwards,
Are they playing our song?
Where were you when it started
Do you want it for free
What was it you wanted
Are you talking to me?
Tell me again so I'll know.
What's happening in there,
What's going on in your show.
What was it you wanted,
Could you say it again?
I'll be back in a minute
You can get it together by then.
What was it you wanted
You can tell me, I'm back,
We can start it all over
Get it back on the track,
You got my attention,
Go ahead, speak.
What was it you wanted
When you were kissing my cheek?
Was there somebody looking
When you give me that kiss
Someone there in the shadows
Someone that I might have missed?
Is there something you needed,
Something I don't understand.
What was it you wanted,
Do I have it here in my hand?
Whatever you wanted
Slipped out of my mind,
Would you remind me again
If you'd be so kind.
Has the record been breaking,
Did the needle just skip,
Is there somebody waitin',
Was there a slip of the lip?
What was it you wanted
I ain't keepin' score
Are you the same person
That was here before?
Is it something important?
Maybe not.
What was it you wanted?
Tell me again I forgot.
Whatever you wanted
What could it be
Did somebody tell you
That you could get it from me,
Is it something that comes natural
Is it easy to say,
Why do you want it,
Who are you anyway?
Is the scenery changing,
Am I getting it wrong,
Is the whole thing going backwards,
Are they playing our song?
Where were you when it started
Do you want it for free
What was it you wanted
Are you talking to me?
Comments (67)add comment
The Shadow Kingdom version is great also.
uh oh...brother bob is being a troublemaker
great guitar, kinda a shuffle, cool
nobel prize 7 from me. More than enough
Really intrigued by the mesmerizing lyrics with a hint of Judas' kiss.
Oh Mercy is my current fave to play in the car. A Political World ... Everything is Broken ... Disease of Conceit - 1989 and now. BTW, I am 78, a long-time Dylan fan, and Oh Mercy is one of my favorites. One can see on this album that Dylan actually has pretty good voice, not always obvious. There are some beautiful songs on this album, alongside the observational ones, and some auto-biographical (imho) pieces too.
Awesome version of a great song. Sooo cool. 
Is this not Jesus talking to Lazarus (the biblical one, not the RP user).
At last a Dylan song I quite like
WilliDoc wrote:
I was just going to comment: it's like I'd listen to this song for the first time....
This is a different mix to my album version. Love it. What was it you wanted?
More Bob...
I was just going to comment: it's like I'd listen to this song for the first time....
Via Wikipedia: Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon call Oh Mercy "a renaissance" for Dylan and write of the recording sessions: "The arrangements are very reminiscent of Yellow Moon by the Neville Brothers, and Dylan eventually got familiar with this particular atmosphere.
Lanois claimed Oh Mercy was a record you listen to at night because it was "designed at night": "Bob had a rule, we only recorded at night. I think he's right about that: the body is ready to accommodate a certain tempo at nighttime... Oh Mercy is about that'.
Lanois claimed Oh Mercy was a record you listen to at night because it was "designed at night": "Bob had a rule, we only recorded at night. I think he's right about that: the body is ready to accommodate a certain tempo at nighttime... Oh Mercy is about that'.
The problem with Bob Dylan is that the more i get old, the more i listen to his music. So it takes approximately 2 or three hour each day before it's enough, and i have no more time for other artist. Even his minor albums appears genious with time.
This is a different mix to my album version. Love it. What was it you wanted?
More Bob...
More Bob...
Everything Daniel Lanois touched in that decade shines bright
I can't help but hear Dire Straits' "Where do you think you're going" ...
amb599 wrote:
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
wow. I like how when people slag Dylan they go all in. I bet you are fun at parties.
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
eveliko wrote:
lol you weren't sold on Desire? Blood on the Tracks? oh mercy indeed...
I would even dare saying I finally like Dylan with this.
lol you weren't sold on Desire? Blood on the Tracks? oh mercy indeed...
Dear America,
Please vote.
Yours in hope.
New Zealand
Please vote.
Yours in hope.
New Zealand
One is only confused by Dylan if one doesn't "care" about the lyrics of a song. Dylan is all about the words, d'uh. This song is arresting lyrically, I would say almost an answer to Positively 4th Street but from the same man 25 years later, without the scorn and with insight of age and a thicker skin, but still as sharp as a tack about people's characters. There is also a certain vulnerable empathy here that Dylan shows only reluctantly.
westslope wrote:
If Lazarus likes it, there is a 98.567% probability that I will also like it.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
Same here, with regard to liking what Lazarus likes. Speaking of which, he must be in a new hotel without internet service....kinda missing his friendly and 'live in the moment' posts. So....I hope life is grand for you right this moment, westslope! Long Live RP!!
If Lazarus likes it, there is a 98.567% probability that I will also like it.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
Same here, with regard to liking what Lazarus likes. Speaking of which, he must be in a new hotel without internet service....kinda missing his friendly and 'live in the moment' posts. So....I hope life is grand for you right this moment, westslope! Long Live RP!!
Bob,
Come back to America.
Come back to the Midwest.
Come back to Highway 61. There are plenty of venues along the way. Drove by some last weekend.
Come back to America.
Come back to the Midwest.
Come back to Highway 61. There are plenty of venues along the way. Drove by some last weekend.
Keep playing Dylan, Bill!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm usually not a fan of Dylan, but I'm digging on this tune and the haunting harmonica it contains...
amb599 wrote:
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
That is such a humor inducing statement. Yep, after all the changes you request, you could still "almost tolerate".
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
That is such a humor inducing statement. Yep, after all the changes you request, you could still "almost tolerate".
Sorry, Bill, but your knew what my response would be before you ever played this song: A solid 1. Bleh.
I like this album of my hero more and more!
sdwright wrote:
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
Long time coming! Good, eh?
eveliko wrote:
eveliko wrote:
I would even dare saying I finally like Dylan with this.
I couldn't go so far as to say I like this but at least it didn't induce immediate vomit. I think I could almost tolerate Dylan if someone else sang, wrote, played, and produced his songs. This is getting closer.
Oh Mercy is a Pre-View of the "New Dylan" 1997-2014 period.
A great album
A great album
I would even dare saying I finally like Dylan with this.
bluedot wrote:
primm wrote:
Completely disagree with bluedot on Knopfler being "an unabashed dylan vocal imitator. " Not even wrong.
I can't say whether Dylan's getting better with age: I haven't listened to his recent stuff.
oh, please. knopfler is an UNABASHED dylan vocal imitator. this isn't even an argument anymore. knopfler's vocals are throw-away dylan mannerisms.
it's just a device to lead us into his cool guitar,
which is mark's REAL contribution. dylan has no style? HUH? even if you hate
him, the idea that he "has no style" is SO lame. he's ALL ABOUT style. that's why you hate him!
dylan's voice is original and vibrant. you don't hear us commenting on HIS guitar one
way or the other! it's his original songwriting
and vocals we love or hate! hello? get a dang CLUE. i think he's just getting better and better. his newest album is all twisted-up blues, filled
with insights on life and death.
it's just a device to lead us into his cool guitar,
which is mark's REAL contribution. dylan has no style? HUH? even if you hate
him, the idea that he "has no style" is SO lame. he's ALL ABOUT style. that's why you hate him!
dylan's voice is original and vibrant. you don't hear us commenting on HIS guitar one
way or the other! it's his original songwriting
and vocals we love or hate! hello? get a dang CLUE. i think he's just getting better and better. his newest album is all twisted-up blues, filled
with insights on life and death.
primm wrote:
interestingly knopfler produced and played almost of all of the guitar on the 81 release by Dylan infadels great stuff
Completely disagree with bluedot on Knopfler being "an unabashed dylan vocal imitator. " Not even wrong.
I can't say whether Dylan's getting better with age: I haven't listened to his recent stuff.
primm wrote:
That is interesting because I was under the impression Ex Rolling Stone Mick Taylor got equal billing.
interestingly knopfler produced and played almost of all of the guitar on the 81 release by Dylan infadels great stuff
That is interesting because I was under the impression Ex Rolling Stone Mick Taylor got equal billing.
westslope wrote:
Thank you, westslope! Everybody in my hotel room loves this marvelous song from a cool album... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... time flies when we're having fun...
If Lazarus likes it, there is a 98.567% probability that I will also like it.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
Thank you, westslope! Everybody in my hotel room loves this marvelous song from a cool album... we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners... time flies when we're having fun...
bluedot wrote:
oh, please. knopfler is an UNABASHED dylan vocal imitator. this isn't even an argument anymore. knopfler's vocals are throw-away dylan mannerisms.
it's just a device to lead us into his cool guitar,
which is mark's REAL contribution. dylan has no style? HUH? even if you hate
him, the idea that he "has no style" is SO lame. he's ALL ABOUT style. that's why you hate him!
dylan's voice is original and vibrant. you don't hear us commenting on HIS guitar one
way or the other! it's his original songwriting
and vocals we love or hate! hello? get a dang CLUE. i think he's just getting better and better. his newest album is all twisted-up blues, filled
with insights on life and death.
interestingly knopfler produced and played almost of all of the guitar on the 81 release by Dylan infadels great stuff it's just a device to lead us into his cool guitar,
which is mark's REAL contribution. dylan has no style? HUH? even if you hate
him, the idea that he "has no style" is SO lame. he's ALL ABOUT style. that's why you hate him!
dylan's voice is original and vibrant. you don't hear us commenting on HIS guitar one
way or the other! it's his original songwriting
and vocals we love or hate! hello? get a dang CLUE. i think he's just getting better and better. his newest album is all twisted-up blues, filled
with insights on life and death.
Lazarus wrote:
If Lazarus likes it, there is a 98.567% probability that I will also like it.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
If Lazarus likes it, there is a 98.567% probability that I will also like it.
This is new Dylan for me. Sweet.
willie nelson did a cover of this in the mid nineties from a Dylan tribute , great song and nelson did a great cover
this isn't the album version unless i'm losing my mind. not as dirgy.
read dylan's book "Chronicles" a few months ago - cool book, includes a chapter about this time period and working with lanois.
read dylan's book "Chronicles" a few months ago - cool book, includes a chapter about this time period and working with lanois.
Gotta agree with Buddy, this is one of Dylan's best albums. Excellent production really showcases his weird stylings
This entire album is a 10.
Nope. Still not good.
its just a trippy set, thanks B
I came in to comment how much I enjoyed Willie Nelson's version, that memorable night back then, and of course the song for what it is. And what do I find? An argument going on about Dylan influencing Knopfler or vice versa. Huh? Not a single day without a surprise on RP.
Changing the discussion:
I find Dylan (or I ) change and improve over the years. Sometimes he just grates and I can't hit the "Mute" fast enought. Then later, a year or decade, I'll be in a different mood. Then it clicks and I enjoy it.
That is the major advantage RP has all the robot-radio stations beat.. Real people have moods, emotions and feelings.
I find Dylan (or I ) change and improve over the years. Sometimes he just grates and I can't hit the "Mute" fast enought. Then later, a year or decade, I'll be in a different mood. Then it clicks and I enjoy it.
That is the major advantage RP has all the robot-radio stations beat.. Real people have moods, emotions and feelings.
lbrc wrote:
which gets me back to my original point "dire straits has a style where dylan has nothing! (unless you count his mumbling whiny singing as a style.) dire straits owes nothing to dylan. " quit crying you big baby.
:p
edited by lbrc at 9:32 am on 6/17/2003
Ask Knopfler if he doesn't owe Dylan anything. I'm sure he'd say something like, "Go home, greenhorn...ya don't know shit."
which gets me back to my original point "dire straits has a style where dylan has nothing! (unless you count his mumbling whiny singing as a style.) dire straits owes nothing to dylan. " quit crying you big baby.
:p
edited by lbrc at 9:32 am on 6/17/2003Ask Knopfler if he doesn't owe Dylan anything. I'm sure he'd say something like, "Go home, greenhorn...ya don't know shit."
It's cool, come on! (I prefer Bob's voice over Mark's anytime ..)
Dire Straits "Where do you think you're going?" 1979
Bob Dylan "What was it you wanted" 1989
Flame away
Bob Dylan "What was it you wanted" 1989
Flame away
oh, please.
knopfler is an UNABASHED dylan vocal imitator.
this isn't even an argument anymore.
knopfler's vocals are throw-away dylan mannerisms.
it's just a device to lead us into his cool guitar,
which is mark's REAL contribution.
dylan has no style? HUH? even if you hate
him, the idea that he "has no style" is SO lame.
he's ALL ABOUT style. that's why you hate him!
dylan's voice is original and vibrant.
you don't hear us commenting on HIS guitar one
way or the other! it's his original songwriting
and vocals we love or hate!
hello? get a dang CLUE.
i think he's just getting better and better.
his newest album is all twisted-up blues, filled
with insights on life and death.
originally posted by lbrc:
dire straits has a style where dylan has nothing! (unless you count his mumbling whiny singing as a style.) dire straits owes nothing to dylan.
dylan has no style? well, if you have to yell about it, then maybe your argument is weak. the fact of the matter is that dire straits style is very reminiscent of dylan. if dylan doesn't have a style then neither does d.s.
Do you think he has Alzheimer\'s? 
What in the HELL is he saying?!? 
Originally Posted by RonH:
Dire Strair-ish? Come on, how about Dire being Dylanish!! Wise up rgrace.This "is" dire straits.Were do you think they got their style.
Some of it, anyway. I don't think Knopfler INTENTIONALLY imitates Dylan. Then again, this Dylan tune really sounds like one of Straits' more sinister tunes from their early albums. 
Never was a Dylan fan and I have listened to him alot
over the years. This one is not too bad. :) I give it a 7.
Originally Posted by waryofthis:
I must beg to differ, Dark. Dylan once spoke relevant, interesting lyrics and actually had a voice. Now his lyrics are vapid and cold. His voice is shot, like gravel, he has no range at all. The great music and production save this song from being a total loss. His last good albums were Desire and Blood on The Tracks. He needs to retire.
Bob had range???
He is a poet who does his work to music.....
A great singer with range,,, he is not, was not, nor will be.
He does have a vast greatness of works tho, and should be honored for that and he has a style that has been imitated a lot.
Aretha Franklin has Range ( the ability to sing an aria two ranges lower than her own and still make an impressive emotional impact), Bob Dylan has a Style all his own.
\"most excellent\" - lovin\' the mellow dylan. i think he should do a duet or two with Beth Orton. :)
Thus does not suck as much as other Dylan, this one gets a "4" instead of my usual "1"
Dire Straits-ish. Actually pretty good, atmospheric production. Not TOO annoying.
Artists don't retire. So, whether you like it or not, Dylan will confront us with new work, as long as he's able to. I find it very interesting and impressive what effect growing old has on somebody like Dylan and what his view on this world is, now he's getting to the end of his career.
Maybe he can be an example in that respect as well.
Actually I\'m not much of a Dylan fan.. but this I liked!
It may have been a little repetitious, but that seems to be its hook, and unlike some of his other songs that I\'ve heard, he doesn\'t do odd intonation or hooking in his voice like some people joke on him for.
That I appreciate the most.. cause all I can usually think of when I hear Dylan is \"you... look ..... like...\" long drawn out pauses like a slowed hemp addict trying to remember the next word... yeah.. that may sound funny.. but listen or hear it enough and it gets on your nerves.
Definately a \'pro\' for the man.
-T