The Beatle Invasion

Beatles Track “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”

by gisrael on March 11th, 2008

(Image is from US National Archives and is in the public domain)

It’s no secret that John Lennon was a huge fan of Bob Dylan. The third track of "Help!" is an excellent example of Dylan’s influence on John’s writing. The busy acoustic rhythm guitar, use of tambourines, and throaty vocal style are all reminiscent of Dylan at his best. The opening lyrics are even "borrowed" from Bob.

Compare the opening lines of "You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away" by the Beatles:

Here I stand head in hand
Turn my face to the wall
If she’s gone I can’t go on
Feelin’ two-foot small

With the opening lines of "I Don’t Believe You [She Acts Like We Have Never Met]" by Bob Dylan:

I can’t understand,
She let go of my hand
An’ left me here facing the wall.
I’d sure like t’ know
Why she did go,
But I can’t get close t’ her at all.

And while you’re at it, give an ear to these two different yet related songs.

Tags: Beatles, blog, history, track, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez

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POSTED IN: history, track