Sometimes you’ve just got to have a bit of Christian Bob to keep you on the straight and narrow. Hearing this this morning was good timing for me too, as the demons stepped out from the shadows and started getting into my noggin. Just like Bob did back in the late 70s / early 80s, I had my own foray into Christianity after the passing of my father in 2003 and got baptised in the sea and everything.
I would now consider myself more of an agnostic-Judeo-Christian who holds dear ‘The Logos‘ (the divine animated force which pervades the Universe and the ‘Word’ made flesh), archetypes, meta-heroes and the spiritual truths of Biblical scripture. I remain very fond of Christian music, as most of my long-time readers could attest, including of course today’s track.
Anyways, back to Bob in his Christian period, where he made three records reflecting his Christian spirituality and devotion at the time. What Can I Do For You comes from the second record of the Christian trilogy called Saved.
Its predecessor, Slow Train Coming, was a little more secular in places, but Saved was all-out evangelical outreach music. There’s some great stuff on it too, including Covenant Woman, Pressing On, & Saving Grace, all of which have featured here.
The biggest bang for buck for me from all the songs has been Covenant Woman. That is a ‘top-shelf’ / ‘drop all tools’ Bob kinda song in my humble estimation, if you aren’t already familiar with it. I wrote the following about it in my Dylanholics Anonymous post:
I always feel the urge to turn my ‘Google Play’ on when I’m riding the bus. Ya know when you want to tune into Dylan while in crowded, uncomfortable surroundings. Sometimes it gets too much and I want to hear something like Covenant Woman for the 100th time….(weeps)
Today’s track may not be in the esteemed league of the aforementioned, but it’s still pretty darn good. Heck, that’s why it’s here today to bless our gracious ears. It’s just a beautifully inspired song that I find poignant and reaffirming. Like I said, it couldn’t have come at a better time for me today, so I’m thankful for that.
I love the lazy keyboard sound in this as well. It conjures images of a kind of third-rate backyard Christian music band set-up, but I like that ‘no frills’ aspect to it because it feels real. Also, special mention to the lovely ladies’ choral backing here, adding that gospel feel. It included singer Carol Dennis, who later married Dylan in 1986. They had mutually agreed to keep their marriage a secret to protect thir daughter, Desiree Gabrielle Dennis-Dylan. The harmonica playing is great on here too, and I love how it meanders towards the end and closes the song so tenderly, but with a certain majestic quality. It’s just so special!
The album Saved hit No. 3 on the UK charts and reached No. 24 in the US. Critical reaction to the album was mixed. Dylan’s sudden departure from contemporary and secular music was a big shock for fans and critics alike. Once again, he was booed often when he performed his new spiritual music in concert. I imagine he couldn’t have given two-sh/ts, and good on him.
People really got stuck into him. Even Kurt Loder for Rolling Stone criticised several of the songs for being hampered by overtly religious messages. He said Dylan’s efforts at a gospel album were not as remarkable as others, “not just because he lacks the vocal equipment but because he’s too inventive, too big for the genre“. Gee wizz. Confused head-shaking-inducing stuff, right?
Now get this….you ready? (drumroll)
In 2020, Rolling Stone included Saved in their list of the “80 Greatest Albums of 1980”, praising Dylan for being “at the peak of his vocal powers, and he’s rarely played with a better bunch of musicians“.
It’s always nice to end an article on a high point.
You have given everything to me
What can I do for You?
You have given me eyes to see
What can I do for You?
[Verse 1]
Pulled me out of bondage and You made me renewed inside
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied
Opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide
And You’ve chosen me to be among the few
What can I do for You?
[Chorus]
You have laid down Your life for me
What can I do for You?
You have explained every mystery
What can I do for You?
[Verse 2]
Soon as a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly
He gets wise in his own eyes and he’s made to believe a lie
Who would deliver him from the death he’s bound to die?
Well, You’ve done it all and there’s no more anyone can pretend to do
What can I do for You?
[Chorus]
You have given all there is to give
What can I do for You?
You have given me life to live
How can I live for You?
[Verse 3]
I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts
I don’t care how rough the road is, show me where it starts
Whatever pleases You, tell it to my heart
Well, I don’t deserve it but I sure did make it through
What can I do for You?
References:
1. Saved (Bob Dylan album) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
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