Artist: Bob Dylan
Track: Key West
Lyrics
McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doctor said, "McKinley, death is on the wall
Say it to me, if you got something to confess"
I heard all about it, he was goin' down slow
I heard it all, the wireless radio
From down in the boondocks, way down in Key West
I'm searching for love, for inspiration
On that pirate radio station
Coming out of Luxembourg and Budapest
Radio signal, clear as can be
I'm so deep in love that I can hardly see
Down on the flatlands, way down in Key West
Key West is the place to be
If you're looking for immortality
Stay on the road, follow the highway sign
Key West is fine and fair
If you lost your mind, you will find it there
Key West is on the horizon line
I was born on the wrong side of the railroad track
Like Ginsberg, Corso and Kerouac
Like Louis and Jimmy and Buddy and all the rest
Well, it might not be the thing to do
But I'm sticking with you, through and through
Down in the flatlands, way down in Key West
I got both my feet planted square on the ground
Got my right hand high with the thumb down
Such is life, such is happiness
Hibiscus flowers, they grow everywhere here
If you wear one, put it behind your ear
Down in the bottom, way down in Key West
Key West is the place to go
Down by the Gulf of Mexico
Beyond the sea, beyond the shifting sand
Key West is the gateway key
To innocence and purity
Key West, Key West is the enchanted land
I've never lived in the land of Oz
Or wasted my time with an unworthy cause
It's hot down here, and you can't be overdressed
China blossoms of a toxic plant
They can make you dizzy, I'd like to help you but I can't
Down in the flatlands, way down in Key West
Well, the fish tail ponds and the orchid trees
They can give you that bleeding heart disease
People tell me I ought to try a little tenderness
On Newton Street, Bayview Park
Walking in the shadows after dark
Down under, way down in Key West
I played Gumbo Limbo spirituals
I know all the Hindu rituals
People tell me that I'm truly blessed
Bougainvillea blooming in the summer, in the spring
Winter here is an unknown thing
Down in the flat lands, way down in Key West
Key West is under the sun, under the radar, under the gun
You stay to the left, and then you lean to the right
Feel the sunlight on your skin, and the healing virtues of the wind
Key West, Key West is the land of light
Wherever I travel, wherever I roam
I'm not that far before I come back home
I do what I think is right, what I think is best
History Street off of Mallory Square
Truman had his White House there
East bound, West bound, way down in Key West
Twelve years old, they put me in a suit
Forced me to marry a prostitute
There were gold fringes on her wedding dress
That's my story, but not where it ends
She's still cute, and we're still friends
Down on the bottom, way down in Key West
I play both sides against the middle
Trying to pick up that pirate radio signal
I heard the news, I heard your last request
Fly around, my pretty little Miss
I don't love nobody, give me a kiss
Down on the bottom, way down in Key West
Key West is the place to be
If you're looking for immortality
Key West is paradise divine
Key West is fine and fair
If you lost your mind, you'll find it there
Key West is on the horizon line
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Lyrics
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Bob Dylan – Key West (Philosopher Pirate)
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[Verse 1] / McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled / Doctor said, "McKinley, death is on the wall / Say it to me, if you got something to confess" / I heard all about it, he was
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Bob Dylan – Mother of Muses
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In many epic poems, such as the Iliad, the poet begins by calling upon a muse (traditionally a goddess) to give the poet divine inspiration to tell the story.
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Bob Dylan – Crossing the Rubicon
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[Verse 1] / I crossed the Rubicon on the 14th day / Of the most dangerous month of the year / At the worst time, at the worst place / That's all I seem to hear / I got up early
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On April 16, 2020, Bob Dylan teased a new work on his Twitter account with the hashtag #IContainMultitudes
https://twitter.com/bobdylan/status/1250913270933917709?s=20
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Bob Dylan – False Prophet
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[Verse 1] / Another day that don't end / Another ship goin' out / Another day of anger, bitterness, and doubt / I know how it happened / I saw it begin / I opened my heart to the
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I'm sittin' on my terrace, lost in the stars / Listening to the sounds of the sad guitars / Been thinking it all over and I've thought it all through / I've made up my mind to give
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This Genius project helps connect music to historical events
Many times, we listen to a song, not ever knowing it was based on an actual event in history. The list includes a very
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... Bob-marley-and-the-wailers-natty-dread-lyrics 2017-01-11T16:13:52-05:00 weekly ... lyrics 2017-01-11T16:13:52-05:00 weekly 0.5 https://genius.com/Syco-myko ...
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Genius Q&A
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Q:When did Bob Dylan release “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)”?
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Bob Dylan released “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)” on June 19, 2020.
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Bob Dylan’s 39th studio album is his first with original material since 2012s “Tempest”. Between 2012 and 2020 he released 3 cover albums of traditional pop standards.
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