This is not the jokerman. This is someone whose heart can be got ahold of. And in a real sense this person is more vulnerable, and even more in need of a place to hide, than the genius who could write and perform “Blind Willie McTell.”

~Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, Vol 2: The Middle Years 1974-1986 ) It’s getting harder and harder to recognize the trap

Too much information about nothing, too much educated rap

Never could learn to drink that blood, and call it wine

What looks large from a distance, close up is never that big

~Bob Dylan (Someone’s Got a Hold of My Heart)

Great song recorded during the “infidels” sessions in 1983, but sadly not included on the released album.

check out:

It later developed into “Tight Connection to My Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)”, recorded during the “Empire Burlesque” sessions in 1985 (and released on that album).

Here are 2 versions, both probably recorded 16 April 1983.

Unreleased version (rough cuts bootleg):



The Bootleg Series 1-3 version:



Lyrics

They say, “Eat, drink and be merry

Take the bull by the horns”

I keep seeing visions of you, a lily among thorns

Everything looks a little far away to me Gettin’ harder and harder to recognize the trap

Too much information about nothin’

Too much educated rap

It’s just like you told me, just like you said it would be The moon rising like wildfire

I feel the breath of a storm

Something I got to do tonight

You go inside and stay warm Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

You—

Yeah, you got a hold of my heart Just got back from a city of flaming red skies

Everybody thinks with their stomach

There’s plenty of spies

Every street is crooked, they just wind around till they disappear Madame Butterfly, she lulled me to sleep

Like an ancient river

So wide and deep

She said, “Be easy, baby, ain’t nothin’ worth stealin’ here” You’re the one I’ve been waitin’ for

You’re the one I desire

But you must first realize

I’m not another man for hire Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

You, you, you, you

Yeah, you got a hold of my heart Hear that hot-blooded singer

On the bandstand croon

September song, Memphis in June

While they’re beating the devil out of a guy who’s wearing a powder blue wig I been to Babylon

I gotta confess

I could still hear the voice crying in the wilderness

What looks large from a distance, close up is never that big

Never could learn to drink that blood and call it wine

Never could learn to look at your face and call it mine Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

Someone’s got a hold of my heart

You—

Yeah, you got a hold of my heart

–

.. and here is “Tight Connection To My Heart (Has Anyone Seen My Love)”:



-Egil