Bob Dylan — Thunder On The Mountain
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Length: 5:51
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Thunder on the mountain and there's fires on the moon
A ruckus in the alley and the sun will be here soon
Today's the day, gonna grab my trombone and blow
Well, there's hot stuff here and it's everywhere I go
I was thinkin' 'bout [[Alicia Keys]], couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee
Feel like my soul is beginning to expand
Look into my heart and you will sort of understand
You brought me here, now you're trying to run me away
The writing on the wall, come read it, come see what it say
Thunder on the mountain, rollin' like a drum
Gonna sleep over there, that's where the music coming from
I don't need any guide, I already know the way
Remember this, I'm your servant both night and day
The pistols are poppin' and the power is down
I'd like to try somethin' but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shinin' and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need
I've been sittin' down studyin' the art of love
I think it will fit me like a glove
I want some real good woman to do just what I say
Everybody got to wonder what's the matter with this cruel world today
Thunder on the mountain rolling to the ground
Gonna get up in the morning walk the hard road down
Some sweet day I'll stand beside my king
I wouldn't betray your love or any other thing
Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches
I'll recruit my army from the orphanages
I been to St. Herman's church, said my religious vows
I've sucked the milk out of a thousand cows
I got the porkchops, she got the pie
She ain't no angel and neither am I
Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes
I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams
Thunder on the mountain heavy as can be
Mean old twister bearing down on me
All the ladies in Washington were scrambling to get out of town
Looks like something bad gonna happen, better roll your airplane down
Everybody going and I want to go too
Don't wanna take a chance with somebody new
I did all I could, I did it right there and then
I've already confessed, no need to confess again
Gonna make a lot of money, gonna go up north
I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth
The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf
For the love of God, you ought to take pity on yourself
A ruckus in the alley and the sun will be here soon
Today's the day, gonna grab my trombone and blow
Well, there's hot stuff here and it's everywhere I go
I was thinkin' 'bout [[Alicia Keys]], couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee
Feel like my soul is beginning to expand
Look into my heart and you will sort of understand
You brought me here, now you're trying to run me away
The writing on the wall, come read it, come see what it say
Thunder on the mountain, rollin' like a drum
Gonna sleep over there, that's where the music coming from
I don't need any guide, I already know the way
Remember this, I'm your servant both night and day
The pistols are poppin' and the power is down
I'd like to try somethin' but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shinin' and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need
I've been sittin' down studyin' the art of love
I think it will fit me like a glove
I want some real good woman to do just what I say
Everybody got to wonder what's the matter with this cruel world today
Thunder on the mountain rolling to the ground
Gonna get up in the morning walk the hard road down
Some sweet day I'll stand beside my king
I wouldn't betray your love or any other thing
Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches
I'll recruit my army from the orphanages
I been to St. Herman's church, said my religious vows
I've sucked the milk out of a thousand cows
I got the porkchops, she got the pie
She ain't no angel and neither am I
Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes
I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams
Thunder on the mountain heavy as can be
Mean old twister bearing down on me
All the ladies in Washington were scrambling to get out of town
Looks like something bad gonna happen, better roll your airplane down
Everybody going and I want to go too
Don't wanna take a chance with somebody new
I did all I could, I did it right there and then
I've already confessed, no need to confess again
Gonna make a lot of money, gonna go up north
I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth
The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf
For the love of God, you ought to take pity on yourself
Comments (111)add comment
I find Bob Dylan, like Joanie Mitchell, difficult to listen to. Don't like their voices. But they were/are great song-writers. I often like others' covers of their songs better than their own versions.
Outstanding song Bob
I've already heard this a LOT on local radio. It has not held up well for me. I'm giving it a charitable 4. Barely.
"I'll suck the milk out of a thousand cows..." WTF, over?
c.
Oh God said to Zimmerman, "Kill me a song"
Bob says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Bob say, "What?"
God say, "You can do what you want, Bob, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God says, "Out on Highway 61."
handyrae wrote:
Bob Dylan is better than this. Much, much better.
You must be referring to that other Bob Dylan
Rafter101 wrote:
I didn't know Dylan could suck, but this does.
I love it but what do I know other than he seems to bring out passion one way or the other.
Dave K
I didn't know Dylan could suck, but this does.
I didn't know that Dylan could rock, but this one has me dancin'! 
Anyone for rock'n'roll leftovers? This has been sitting in the back of the fridge for a while. Mind the mold, eh? 
Dylan still rocks long and hard. Check out the CD - definitely worth a listen. The man can PLAY
this song sucks out loud
handyrae wrote:
Bob Dylan is better than this. Much, much better.
Agreed. This just seems amateur compared to his other work, even though it's his latest offering.
coloradojohn wrote:
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the house of detention YEAH
I think ol Bob has tapped into some Eternal Blues, got his mojo risin high on this one like he did on Love and Theft, yup, he's still got it, still layin down them blues like the Gospel according to Bob LOVE IT!
Amen, brother.
Bob Dylan is better than this. Much, much better.
madaxeman wrote:
From the American perspective,I'd guess Woody gets there long before His Bobness,who started in life as a Woody clone.
The original singer/songwriter IMHO was Robert Burns,whose songs are still being sung more than 200 years after his death.Eddi Reader has a couple of albums of Burns' stuff,and I lately heard Nickle Creek doing an awsome version of Flow Gently Sweet Afton.
BTW He was a world class poet too.
Granted, but few have influenced contemporary pop music songwriting as much as Dylan, except for maybe the Beatles. The focus on the songwriting, vocals...instead of the overall composition/musical arrangement is huge.
lmic wrote:
Dylan invented singer-songwriting as we know it - musical stories with personal emotional content. Simple as that.
Even people who don't like his voice should stay aware of that historical FACT, and give proper respect.
From the American perspective,I'd guess Woody gets there long before His Bobness,who started in life as a Woody clone.
The original singer/songwriter IMHO was Robert Burns,whose songs are still being sung more than 200 years after his death.Eddi Reader has a couple of albums of Burns' stuff,and I lately heard Nickle Creek doing an awsome version of Flow Gently Sweet Afton.
BTW He was a world class poet too.
lmic wrote:
Dylan invented singer-songwriting as we know it - musical stories with personal emotional content. Simple as that.
With a single stroke of your electronic pen, you wipe out the whole of the development of the Blues, R&B, Jazz etc as we know it.
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the house of detention YEAH
I think ol Bob has tapped into some Eternal Blues, got his mojo risin high on this one like he did on Love and Theft, yup, he's still got it, still layin down them blues like the Gospel according to Bob LOVE IT!
sidetrak wrote:
The stream name should be labled: Radio Paradise - DJ-mixed modern & Bob Dylan, classic rock, Bob Dylan, world, Bob Dylan, electronica, Bob Dylan & more Bob Dylan.
Come on, do we really need to play this much of Bob Dylan? I don't really like his music but I can tolerate it once in a while, but not multiple times a day!
someday grasshopper, even you will understand...
That's funny, I was just thinking about ol' Cowboy Bob. 
Dylan invented singer-songwriting as we know it - musical stories with personal emotional content. Simple as that.
Even people who don't like his voice should stay aware of that historical FACT, and give proper respect.
Suckage. Sorry Bob, but this is absolute suckage.
I feel it Bob, outstanding.
MrSpaz wrote:
.... 3). Social or "buzz" listeners - people who find and listen to music to associate themselves with a group or set themselves apart; all other aspects secondary. It also seemed that while there was some commingling between 1&2 and 3&2, there weren't really any 1&3 responses.It seems pretty obvious you're a solid group 3 listener, and in that case; yes, this is the shit.
Wrong.
The stream name should be labled: Radio Paradise - DJ-mixed modern & Bob Dylan, classic rock, Bob Dylan, world, Bob Dylan, electronica, Bob Dylan & more Bob Dylan.
Come on, do we really need to play this much of Bob Dylan? I don't really like his music but I can tolerate it once in a while, but not multiple times a day!
Bob Dylan imitating Chuck Berry? Dylan imitating himself is bad enough.... 
Go, go Johnny go go go. Go Johnny, go go go.
Bobby be Bad.
zensend wrote: The best thing about Dylan is he doesnt give a rat's ass about what any of us think. I'm just glad he's out there going to work everyday. There aint much in the world today that's genuine, that's the real deal, but Dylan most certainly is. Read the last Rolling Stone interview if you whinny naysayers want to know why you're wrong. Well... it might help, but maybe not, because you won't understand what the hell he's talking about. That's okay. Just keep gawking at the latest piece of eye/ear candy spoonfed to you by MTV. Oh... and the talk about lifting lyrics...what a news flash!!!! He's been doing that from day one. And doing it so much better than anyone else that he's become Bob Dylan. It's called making art.
I remember reading a post some time ago about why people listen to music, and I agreed with the conclusions pretty much completely. The conclusion (by informal survey) was that there were basically three groups of listeners; 1.) Music listeners - they'll listen to almost anything they like the sound of; all other aspects were secondary. 2.) "Meaning" listeners - those who dig for meaning in lyrics and try to find messages in the song or album as a whole. Finally; 3). Social or "buzz" listeners - people who find and listen to music to associate themselves with a group or set themselves apart; all other aspects secondary. It also seemed that while there was some commingling between 1&2 and 3&2, there weren't really any 1&3 responses.
Now that I've laid out all that setup, I'll get to the main point 
; It seems pretty obvious you're a solid group 3 listener, and in that case; yes, this is the shit. Bob Dylan still has more buzz than an old neon sign. However, from a 1+2 standpoint, this disc seems a lot weaker than his previous offerings both musically and lyrically. Anyways, thanks for the down-your-nose commentary, but realize that some of us approach the music we listen to from a different angle than thou and judge it accordingly.
; It seems pretty obvious you're a solid group 3 listener, and in that case; yes, this is the shit. Bob Dylan still has more buzz than an old neon sign. However, from a 1+2 standpoint, this disc seems a lot weaker than his previous offerings both musically and lyrically. Anyways, thanks for the down-your-nose commentary, but realize that some of us approach the music we listen to from a different angle than thou and judge it accordingly.
At least his voice is in check with this song. Not too bad.
I'm just waiting for the bootleg series version of "Blood on the Tracks".... someday soon, I hope..
algrif wrote:
There was a man named Dylannnn
Whose couldn't make his songs scannnn
When asked why this was
He said 'It's because
I like to try to fit as many words into the last line as I possibly cannnnnn'
This SLAYED me! Heh!
anyone know the significance of the Alicia Keys namecheck? Bizarre? Nearly as weird as Neil Young namechecking Chris Rock....... 
zensend wrote: The best thing about Dylan is he doesnt give a rat's ass about what any of us think.
He sure did on his Alimony Tour when he needed every penny he could get hold of!
At least his recent voice isn't the droning nasal irritating whine of his youth, but a sort of semi-gravelly Tom Waits-lite that's mostly in tune. Which is quite some improvement.
channeling Ethel Merman
God-like? No.
God? Just, maybe.
Like him, or leave him, I don't think he cares.
He is going to rock.
Wow. What a power packed start to my morning. Keep it up, Bill.
5:54 am - Bob Dylan - Thunder On The Mountain
5:50 am - Bob Marley - Zion Train
5:46 am - Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
5:44 am - Ray Charles - I've Got a Woman
5:40 am - Rolling Stones - Monkey Man
Since Dylan's music is, for the most part, only good for his intelligent lyrics, shouldn't he have at least made some attempt to make them intelligible?
The musical backup to his weak vocals is too simplistic and boring. I've heard more interesting stuff from hobby musicians playing at the local pub.
When Bob finally passes away, it will be interesting to see how commentators evaluate his cultural influence. I expect obituaries written by middle aged journalists to position him alongside Elvis Presley and John Lennon, maybe above them in terms of his endurance.
But if kids who have never heard of him listened to this track to see what all the fuss is about, they would rapidly return to whichever three minute wonder is currently topping the charts.
A shame.
There is nothing particularly special about this. If it weren't Bob, I think it might have gone unnoticed. It's ok, but just not outstanding.
Any band could turn in this performance. Even mine. Maybe if Zimmerman would front the band, we'd go platinum! LOL!
Feet tappin' good times
OldFrenchie wrote:
this is just terrible
Pretty well sums it up.
For the love of God take pity on US, Bob.
redeyespy wrote:
I really dig Dylan, but that is pretty accurate, in this case.
You'll be swell! You'll be great! Gonna have the whole world on a plate!
sukilau wrote:
sounds like dylan meets ethel merman
I really dig Dylan, but that is pretty accurate, in this case.
You'll be swell! You'll be great! Gonna have the whole world on a plate!
algrif wrote:
There was a man named Dylannnn
Whose couldn't make his songs scannnn
When asked why this was
He said 'It's because
I like to try to fit as many words into the last line as I possibly cannnnnn'
that's hilarious!! This song sounds soo much like some stuff from "love and theft". Both albums have great songs, they're all just so much the same. Heard one song from "love and theft" or htis album and you might as well ahve heard them all.
this is just terrible
There was a man named Dylannnn
Whose couldn't make his songs scannnn
When asked why this was
He said 'It's because
I like to try to fit as many words into the last line as I possibly cannnnnn'
Very Ordinary!! sad to be saying this!! havenet even rated it!!
Even tho Dylan has achieved godlike status, it doesn't mean that some of his songs don't suck. This one does.
I'll be straight-forward and admit that I do not care for most of Bob Dylan's oeuvre. I know it's sacrilege but I think that he's overrated as a songwriter. I know that he's written some important songs but he just grates on my nerves, especially his harmonica playing.
That being said, this is a good song and a solid album. He's surrounded himself with some excellent musicians and there is a great sound all the way through.
hippiechick wrote:
According to my friend, who just read Dylan's bio, after his motorcycle accident, he wanted to lose his identity ...
It's been my experience lately that losing one's identity seems to happen without much effort as the aging process really begins to kick in.
kevin36 wrote:
We seesaw between RP listeners complaining about singers who sound like silken voiced babies and people complaining about singers who sound like wizened old men.
Man this man is a genius
milehighYinzer wrote:
How 'bout givin' them to someone who's gonna treat them right.
Dylan was going as far as wearing eye shadow, and a bunch of other crazy things when he was going through his re-born days. He was having a major midlife crises in the 80s. I regret buying any of his albums from the 80s.
Shot Of Love?? Infidels?? Knocked Out Loaded?? Oh Mercy?
How 'bout givin' them to someone who's gonna treat them right.
hippiechick wrote:
According to my friend, who just read Dylan's bio, after his motorcycle accident, he wanted to lose his identity and that's why he did all the crazy stuff he did, like becoming a Christian, then an Orthdox Jew. He also played bad on purpose. Guess he was having a mid-life crisis. His last 3 albums reflect an epiphany he had after hearing some old blues man play in a bar. There there really are 2 different Dylans. Kind of a before and after.
Dylan was going as far as wearing eye shadow, and a bunch of other crazy things when he was going through his re-born days. He was having a major midlife crises in the 80s. I regret buying any of his albums from the 80s.
The first few bars made me think this was Ween's "Jimmy Pack." Not that I'm disappointed, but I may need to listen to some Ween again soon.
How about playing something else from this album?
wow. you peeps are brutal.
"8" - just to spite you ;-) (well, that, and I actually like the song...)
catsoup wrote:
But you should stop abusing microphones like that, for the good of mankind."
We seesaw between RP listeners complaining about singers who sound like silken voiced babies and people complaining about singers who sound like wizened old men.
According to my friend, who just read Dylan's bio, after his motorcycle accident, he wanted to lose his identity and that's why he did all the crazy stuff he did, like becoming a Christian, then an Orthdox Jew. He also played bad on purpose. Guess he was having a mid-life crisis. His last 3 albums reflect an epiphany he had after hearing some old blues man play in a bar. There there really are 2 different Dylans. Kind of a before and after.
Aw, man! I heard the opening of this, and thought it was some Stevie Ray Vaughan I had somehow missed.
And then Bob starts. Gack.
"Mr. Dylan, you are a cultural treasure, respected by millions. Your writing has expressed so many things most people can barely understand. But you should stop abusing microphones like that, for the good of mankind."
algrif wrote:
I just don't really understand what Dylan thinks he is adding with this. It sounds like an old man with no voice left singing to a basic R&B outfit playing quietly in the background trying not to drown out his oh so weak voice. I can hear the same thing at the local pub if I want. But I don't want. It's just plain pointless.
An old man with the grizzled confidence of having done it all RIGHT....
No, really, guys this is So good - pure class, great ironic lyrics - on music 'I already know the way'!! You bet! Superb band. Keeping it simple makes it great. And the timing of the lyrics.... I love this. Drive to it!!!
sounds like dylan meets ethel merman
algrif wrote:
I just don't really understand what Dylan thinks he is adding with this. It sounds like an old man with no voice left singing to a basic R&B outfit playing quietly in the background trying not to drown out his oh so weak voice. I can hear the same thing at the local pub if I want. But I don't want. It's just plain pointless.
Not as pointless as this: Ferb? Did you snork the swailburrels?
I just don't really understand what Dylan thinks he is adding with this. It sounds like an old man with no voice left singing to a basic R&B outfit playing quietly in the background trying not to drown out his oh so weak voice. I can hear the same thing at the local pub if I want. But I don't want. It's just plain pointless.
shutter wrote:
Oh, but if it was on NPR then it must be so
Regardless of where the news came from (the dig on NPR was rather lame)....it is something that should be easily verifiable by checking lyrical content from both songs in question.
ScottN wrote:
NPR had a story on the new Dylan album that has him lifting "word for word" major lyric stanzas. If true...
Oh, but if it was on NPR then it must be so
vandal wrote:
Agreed.
All of the early Brit Wave classic rock outfits did the same; Zeppelin, Cream, Et Al. There is no shame in it.
American bluesmen have been operating in the same "borrowing and modifying" mode since the beginning of the genre. Its practically a tradition.
Gotcha, thanks for the input.
Moak wrote:
Look, first of all, Dylan is the LAST person who needs to be "lifting" someone else's music. And second, who doesn't know already that some of these songs are old and have been pieced together, borrowed from and added to over the years. It's not like he's being sneaky and hoping nobody will notice. "Rollin' And Tumblin"??? Come On!! His whole body of work and some knowledge of blues and folk music make this whole conversation irrelevant.
Agreed.
All of the early Brit Wave classic rock outfits did the same; Zeppelin, Cream, Et Al. There is no shame in it.
American bluesmen have been operating in the same "borrowing and modifying" mode since the beginning of the genre. Its practically a tradition.
Couldn't contain myself. Just upped it from 9 to 10....
C'mon, why is he looking for Alicia Keyes?
Not again!!!!! Nooooooooo!!!!
sharkartist wrote:
What can be said other than he is the absolute, hands down real deal. Great record Bob!
Yahooo!
What can be said other than he is the absolute, hands down real deal. Great record Bob!
ScottN wrote:
NPR had a story on the new Dylan album that has him lifting "word for word" major lyric stanzas. If true, that goes beyond musical community license and heads toward plagiarism. I really hope it's not true!
Look, first of all, Dylan is the LAST person who needs to be "lifting" someone else's music. And second, who doesn't know already that some of these songs are old and have been pieced together, borrowed from and added to over the years. It's not like he's being sneaky and hoping nobody will notice. "Rollin' And Tumblin"??? Come On!! His whole body of work and some knowledge of blues and folk music make this whole conversation irrelevant.
Moak wrote:
Give it a break already. Musicians have been doing this for centuries. It's about what you can add or bring to the song that makes it a little different or better.
NPR had a story on the new Dylan album that has him lifting "word for word" major lyric stanzas. If true, that goes beyond musical community license and heads toward plagiarism. I really hope it's not true!
hippiechick wrote:
I was all set to get on the Dylan Bandwagon until I read that he "adapted" songs from other artists and didn't give them credit.
Boo!
Give it a break already. Musicians have been doing this for centuries. It's about what you can add or bring to the song that makes it a little different or better.
Lovin it in London
Bob's still got it.
hippiechick wrote:
I was all set to get on the Dylan Bandwagon until I read that he "adapted" songs from other artists and didn't give them credit.
Boo!
I read about that too. Say it aint so, Bob!
I was all set to get on the Dylan Bandwagon until I read that he "adapted" songs from other artists and didn't give them credit.
Boo!
Man, this is sooo right on!!!!
dharmanavy wrote:
His words...Just keeps getting better and better... 
Amen. They sneak up on you like a thief in the night, stick something in your memory.
I wanna be with you in paradise
And it seems so unfair
I can't go to paradise no more
I killed a man back there
Go, go, go, Bobby, go.
There's also a song about the levees breaking that I'd like to think is a nod to New Orleans, as the album was released on the Katrina anniversary.
Love it. L O V E it.
algrif wrote:
Why?? 
Because he's been playing with dozens of classic styles of American music his whole career. He's been a Chuck Berry fan since he was a kid.
His words...Just keeps getting better and better...
bob, did you produce this whole album in an afternoon? sounds like it.
I like it... it's not about Dylans voice; it's about his writing, & well, I enjoy the music on this one very much.
Never bought a Dylan album in my life. That may change now.
I'd love to hear the Stones cover this.
Bobby B. Goode?
Okay, I'm not the first. >
kevin36 wrote:
Spoken like someone who has missed out on 40 or so albums...
Why??
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Bob Dylan reached the top of the U.S. pop albums chart for the first time in 30 years on Wednesday, becoming the oldest living person to launch a new disc at No. 1.
The 65-year-old rock poet's latest album, "Modern Times," sold 192,000 copies in the week ended September 3, his best sales week since tracking firm Nielsen SoundScan started using its point-of-sales data to collate the charts in 1991.
The grand old man showing the young'uns how it's done.
rharvey658 wrote:
Dylan has finally listened to Johnny B Goode ??!!!
right said, Fred!
algrif wrote:
Dylan has finally listened to Johnny B Goode ??!!!
Spoken like someone who has missed out on 40 or so albums...
hippiechick wrote:
This guy has earned a Lifetime Cool Award!
You got that right! Go, Bob.
Dylan has finally listened to Johnny B Goode ??!!!
For some interesting background on this, check out https://www.slate.com/id/2147487/.
dmax wrote:
"I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee "
wtf?
the train keeps rolling and it's getting longer and better.......all aboard
"I got the pork chop, she got the pie"
Love that line. That's that sorta "potluck" i need to go to. Utterly great album by Dylan. Gravel voice and all.
Dylan doin' some rock&roll, ala Johnny B Goode. Just gotta listen!
Dylan co-wrote this lyric with Moses after a bender.
Jesus plays bass, Muhammed carves a pretty cool guitar solo.
And God said, "it is good."
And God said, "it is good."Didn't this title belong with the set that was playing awhile ago? All those mountain titles.
This guy has earned a Lifetime Cool Award!
FANTASTIC album! Thank you Bob, I've waited too long for something new from you!