someday baby / baby some day

I love discovering the stories and (r)evolutions of songs. I think this stems from my interest in traditional folk music, which is characterised by a proliferation of various variations of the same song: for instance I'm captivated by versions of the traditional songs 'Lord Bateman' and 'John Barleycorn'. But, in particular, it is the 'archaeologies' of Bob Dylan, and his artistic process, which I find fascinating. I suppose, for me, the ultimate expression of this is discovering and 'working through' the similarities and differences between 'Standing In The Doorway' from his album 'Time Out Of Mind' and 'Dreaming Of You' - a previously unreleased track which can be found in his latest album 'Bootleg 8: Tell Tale Signs'. But, there is another song that I'm thinking about right now: 'Someday Baby'. It features on his latest studio album 'Modern Times', and is perhaps the 'lightest' (in a good way!) track on there, atleast musically:

'Someday Baby' from 'Modern Times'

But, on 'Tell Tale Signs', we hear an alternate version of 'Someday Baby', which is much deeper and emotionally moving. Whilst listening to songs my mind seeks out musical and lyrical change and crescendo. And it finds it here, but ever so subtly, that it's almost impercepable . This is because Bob reveals the secret of the song immediately in the first verse - cards on the table, heart open, shaky vulnerability exposed - and is maintained throughout. There is a plateau, a stasis of heightened emotional intensity. And this intimacy - from the padding of symbols and gentle rolling bass - to trying to decipher Bob's actual words (it took me ages to work out he was singing: "...Little by little/ bit by bit/ everyday/ I'm becoming more/ of a hypocrite...") is sustained for a long, but short 6 minutes.

'Someday Baby' from 'Bootleg 8: Tell Tale Signs'



"...when I heard you was cold
I bought you a coat and hat
I think you must've forgotten 'bout that
someday baby
you ain't gonna worry
for me
anymore..."