Bob Dylan - Long and Wasted Years Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is the artist of 'Long and Wasted Years'?

   'Long and Wasted Years' is a song by Bob Dylan, a legendary American singer-songwriter known for his influential music and lyrics.

2. What key is 'Long and Wasted Years' performed in?

   The song 'Long and Wasted Years' is performed in the key of G major, enhancing its emotional and intense progression.

3. How is 'Long and Wasted Years' musically structured?

   Unusually for a Dylan song, 'Long and Wasted Years' has no musical chorus or bridge and no lyrical refrain. It consists of 10 four-line verses recited over a descending chord progression that intensifies throughout its nearly four-minute duration.

4. What style of singing is used in 'Long and Wasted Years'?

   Critics describe Bob Dylan's singing in 'Long and Wasted Years' as strong, half-sarcastic, and half-ferocious. Greil Marcus likens Dylan's delivery to that of a preacher or con man, likening his voice to characters like Luke the Drifter and Elmer Gantry.

5. What language style is used in 'Long and Wasted Years'?

   In 'Long and Wasted Years,' Bob Dylan adopts a speech-like, declamatory style, reminiscent of storytelling or sermonizing, which adds to the song's emotional and narrative depth.

6. How do critics view 'Long and Wasted Years'?

   The song is praised by critics like Eyolf Ostrem, who calls it Dylan's 'craziest song in many years.' Greil Marcus appreciates its declamatory voice, and a 2021 WhatCulture article ranks it as an underrated masterpiece, recognizing Dylan's musical innovation at age 71.