Introduction: “All I Really Want to Do”
The song titled “All I Really Want to Do” is a love and pop song written by the famous writer and singer, Bob Dylan. Although it differed from his traditional songs, when it was released on the album “Another Side of Bob Dylan,” it proved to be a tremendous success for the album. Not only did it endear itself to the audience, but it also resonated with the pop and rock audience. The song, along with its poetry and music, differs from what Bob Dylan was accustomed to singing. Written in 1964 and performed in the same year, “All I Really Want to Do” depicted not only a different type of love but also a distinct character of a lover.
Lyrics of “All I Really Want to Do”
The song’s lyrics consist of six stanzas, each comprising six lines. Bob Dylan skillfully plays with words in the song. The first stanza hints that all he desires is to be friends with his sweetheart, emphasizing that he does not seek to possess her. It opens with the famous line, “I ain’t lookin’ to compete with you” (1-7), a theme echoed in subsequent stanzas.
The essence of the lyrics is that he does not want to compete, cheat, mistreat, snatch rights, or engage in possessive behavior. His sole intention is to be her friend. This sentiment is reiterated in the second and third stanzas, where he emphasizes his desire to avoid violence, resist making her an object of beauty or a showpiece, and simply be her friend. He rejects the typical lover’s approach of pursuing, confining, defining, studying, or planning his entire life around her. Instead, he wants an authentic friendship and rejects the insincerity of fake offers.
In literal terms, the poet sits with his sweetheart, expressing his difference from other lovers who pursue a girl merely to become her husband and assert ownership over her beauty. He distances himself from traditional masculine behaviors, asserting that his only desire is friendship. Unlike those who marry to showcase their wives as property, mold them to their liking, and exhibit possession, his intention is genuine friendship and nothing else.
Subject of “All I Really Want to Do”
The lyrics convey the song as the lament of a broken heart, with the context that Bob Dylan wrote it shortly after parting ways with his sweetheart. Consequently, the bitterness he experienced during this period permeates the lines. Repetition is a notable feature, where the same theme recurs throughout each stanza. In the first stanza, the cluster of words like “compete, beat, cheat, mistreat, then simplify, deny, and crucify” emphasizes a common theme (1-5), and this pattern continues through the final line of each stanza.
These repetitive phrases illustrate the typical ways in which men are expected to treat their sweethearts or wives, reflecting a conventional narrative. However, the poet distinguishes himself by rejecting this conventional approach and expressing his desire to maintain a friendship with his sweetheart. The closing lines, “All I want to do / Is, baby, be friends with you,” articulate the poet’s true intentions, emphasizing that he seeks nothing more (12-13).
The lyrics fluctuate between being straightforward and occasionally mischievous and humorous. For instance, when he states, “I don’t want to fake you out,” it conveys a sense of seriousness and sincerity from the writer. The lyrics, therefore, reveal a complexity that combines both heartfelt emotions and a touch of playfulness.
Music of “All I Really Want to Do”
The song features a compelling musical structure with a time signature of 12/8, representing four groups of three quavers in a bar. Musicians can follow a beat in fours, emphasizing the first quaver in each bar, creating a rhythmic pattern of 123 123 123 123 from start to finish.
This unconventional 12/8 beat is a distinctive element of the song, contributing to its popularity. Bob Dylan’s choice to use this rhythmic structure sets the song apart from more common musical patterns. The lilting feeling of 123 123 123 123 is maintained throughout the entire composition, creating a unique and memorable musical experience.
Examining specific verses, the division of beats is evident, as seen in lines like “I don’t/ want to fake/ you out/” and “Take or/ shake or/ forsake/ you out.” The song’s success can be attributed, in part, to this distinctive 12/8 beat, which complements the serious yet occasionally humorous message conveyed by the lyrics.
Conclusion: “All I Really Want to Do”
In essence, “All I Really Want to Do” stands out as one of the most popular songs of its time, breaking away from traditional songwriting and singing conventions. Bob Dylan uses this song as a platform to express his feelings after separating from his sweetheart, presenting an unconventional plea for friendship instead of a traditional romantic relationship. The song represents a declaration of freedom from the confines of traditional marital expectations, challenging the notion of a wife sacrificing her life for her husband’s love. Dylan’s unique approach, emphasizing the desire for friendship over romantic entanglements, has resonated with audiences, making the song a beloved and enduring piece in pop and rock music history.
Works Cited: “All I Really Want to Do”
Dylan, Bob. “Bob Dylan Songs.” Bob Dylan. N. d. Web. 25 Feb. 2023.
Three Relevant Questions: “All I Really Want to Do”
- “All I Really Want to Do”: How does Bob Dylan use the lyrics of this song to convey his perspective on love and relationships, and what insights can be gained from the contrast between what he wants to do and societal expectations?
- “All I Really Want to Do”: In what ways does the song reflect the cultural and social context of the 1960s, and how does Dylan’s lyrical expression contribute to the broader countercultural movements of that era?
- “All I Really Want to Do”: How does the music and poetic language in this song contribute to the overall emotional impact, and what themes or messages does Dylan communicate about personal freedom and authenticity through his lyrics?
