Dylan Lyrics, help with interpretation.

[Robert165]

I'm not sure what he means, have an idea, but can't clarify it to myself.
What does he mean here in the last line of this verse:



In the dime stores and bus stations,
People talk of situations,
Read books, repeat quotations,
Draw conclusions on the wall.
Some speak of the future,
My love she speaks softly,
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all.



Here's the video:
[YOUTUBE=OAQ7GsDzx8Q]Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero[/YOUTUBE]


The lyrics:
Home Page | Bob Dylan

 

[nozflubber]

A failure to live, and to live ideally. The lyrics are about people who have "settled" in life, as in settled for less than they felt they deserved. Living too simply.

 

[Fecal McAngry]

I'm not sure what he means, have an idea, but can't clarify it to myself.
What does he mean here in the last line of this verse:



In the dime stores and bus stations,
People talk of situations,
Read books, repeat quotations,
Draw conclusions on the wall.
Some speak of the future,
My love she speaks softly,
She knows there's no success like failure
And that failure's no success at all.

Please do not try to toejam Bob's INFP mosaic lyrics into the formalism of a linear, neat interpretation with a nice little bow-tie on it. It won't work.

This is a song about Suze Rotolo. I believe she is an ISFP. "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" can be viewed as a "portrait of an ISFP" in much the same way that "Sad-Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands," "Shelter From The Storm," "Sara" and many others can be read as "portraits of an INFJ." "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" is one of many Bob songs which describe Suze; perhaps nowhere did Bob write more overtly or bitterly about their relationship than in Home Page | Bob Dylan

YouTube - Another Side of Bob Dylan - 10 Ballad In Plain D

 

[Wonkavision]

I have no idea what it means but I love the song and I love Bob Dylan.

I enjoy speculating about his lyrics so much I don't really care that much what they actually mean.

 

[nolla]

To me it seems that she has realized the meaninglessness of "conclusions" and to her there is no success or failure. So, she can speak softly, without anger or resentment for her life.

 

[Robert165]

Thanks for the replys everyone
i think i agree with nolla
and want to thank fecal mcangry for the info
thanks to nozflubber and wonkavision as well

 

[simulatedworld]

I love Dylan. He's one of the five best rappers of all time.

 

[LEGERdeMAIN]

haha. yes. great rappist.

Dylan has many lyrics that don't make sense. Keep in mind he kept the company of many stream-of-consciousness writers/poets/etc. Chances are you'll have to extract the vanilla some other way.

 

[nolla]

Whoohoo! I won!