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Bob Dylan is one of the greatest and most influential songwriters of our time, and his music has touched millions around the world. Among his many popular songs, “Foot of Pride” is a lesser known gem that deserves greater attention. Released in 1983 on his album, “Infidels”, this powerful track is widely regarded as one of Dylan’s most profound and personal works.
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Despite its relative obscurity, “Foot of Pride” has a rich history and meaning that is worth exploring. In this article, we will delve into the backstory and significance of this iconic song, exploring its themes, symbols, and lyrics in detail.
Bob Dylan: The Man, The Legend
Before we dive into “Foot of Pride”, it’s important to understand the man behind the music. Bob Dylan was born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1941 and grew up in a working-class Jewish family. He showed an early interest in music and began playing guitar and harmonica in his teens.
In the early 1960s, Dylan burst onto the music scene with his folk-inspired protest songs, such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin'”. He quickly became a cultural icon and a voice of the counterculture movement.
Over the years, Dylan has reinvented himself and his music numerous times, experimenting with different styles and genres. He has continued to release new music well into his 70s, cementing his status as a living legend and one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
The Story Behind “Foot of Pride”
“Foot of Pride” was written and recorded during an especially tumultuous period in Dylan’s life. In the early 1980s, he was going through a divorce and experiencing creative struggles that led him to take a break from music for a few years. When he returned to the studio to record “Infidels”, he was in a reflective, introspective mood.
The song itself was inspired by a Biblical story from the book of Genesis. In the story, God visits the city of Sodom and Gomorrah in the form of three angels. Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, greets the angels and tries to negotiate with God to spare the city from destruction. However, God ultimately decides to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins.
In “Foot of Pride”, Dylan reimagines this story as a metaphor for the destructive forces of modern society. The “foot of pride” is a symbol of humanity’s arrogance and hubris, which leads to its downfall. Dylan’s lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and religious references that underscore the song’s themes of sin, redemption, and faith.
The Lyrics of “Foot of Pride”
“Foot of Pride” is a dense and complex song that rewards careful listening and analysis. Here are some of the key lyrics and their meanings:
Verse 1:
“On the dance floor nobody’s allowed to leave,
It’s badly light and the newspapers are cruel
And the pianos they sound like prisons bars
And the talk in this joint is beyond belief”
This opening verse sets the tone for the song, with its bleak depiction of a world gone wrong. The line “nobody’s allowed to leave” suggests a sense of entrapment and frustration, while the “newspapers” and “pianos” symbolize the oppressive forces of society.
Verse 2:
“The preacher and the gambler are sitting side by side
They’re both going to heaven, but they’re taking different roads
You can’t take it with you and you know it’s too worthless to be sold
They tell you this in church and they tell you at the stove”
This verse explores the theme of mortality and our ultimate fate. The “preacher and the gambler” represent two different paths to salvation, with the former relying on faith and the latter on chance. The line “you can’t take it with you” is a reminder that material possessions are ultimately meaningless.
Verse 3:
“Welcome to the human race, with its wars, disease and brutality
You with your innocence and your grace, restoreth the order of things
You killed your European brother and you spit on his grave
You buy your self erasing aerosol, the day you wished you’d never saved”
This verse is one of the most powerful in the song, with its indictment of human violence and cruelty. The “innocence and grace” of the human spirit are contrasted with the “wars, disease and brutality” of the world. The line “you killed your European brother” is a reference to World War II and the Holocaust, while the final line is a rebuke of consumer culture and its excesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the meaning of the title, “Foot of Pride”?
The “foot of pride” is a symbol of humanity’s arrogance and hubris, which leads to its downfall.
2. Who inspired Bob Dylan to write the song?
The song was inspired by a story from the book of Genesis in the Bible.
3. What is the song about?
The song is a bleak commentary on the state of modern society, exploring themes of sin, redemption, and faith.
4. When was “Foot of Pride” released?
The song was released in 1983 on Bob Dylan’s album, “Infidels”.
5. What is the significance of the lyrics in the song?
The lyrics are dense and complex, using vivid imagery and religious references to explore the song’s themes in depth.
6. Who else has covered “Foot of Pride”?
The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Jason Isbell, Mark Lanegan, and My Morning Jacket.
7. Why is “Foot of Pride” considered a lesser known Dylan song?
Although “Foot of Pride” is a powerful and influential song, it is not as well known as some of Dylan’s more popular tracks.
8. What is the backstory behind the creation of “Infidels”?
Bob Dylan was going through a tumultuous period in his life, dealing with a divorce and creative struggles, when he recorded “Infidels”.
9. What other songs are on the “Infidels” album?
The album features a number of iconic tracks, including “Jokerman” and “Sweetheart Like You”.
10. What is the legacy of Bob Dylan in music?
Bob Dylan is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of all time, known for his poetic lyrics, powerful music, and enduring cultural impact.
11. How has Dylan’s music changed over the years?
Dylan has experimented with a wide range of musical styles and genres over the years, from folk to rock to blues to country.
12. What is Dylan’s connection to the counter-culture movement of the 1960s?
Dylan’s early music was closely associated with the counterculture movement of the 1960s, with his politically and socially conscious lyrics inspiring a generation of activists and artists.
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