Country Rock

The song “Lay, lady Lay” was written by Bob Dylan. It was intended for the soundtrack of the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. However, it missed the submission deadline and was not included. Dylan released it on his 1969 album Nashville Skyline and as a single backed with “Peggy Day.” In 1969, the song went to #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the U .K. Singles Chart. It was also in the Top 20 in Ireland and Australia.

Dylan sings in a low crooning style rather than a high nasal one he adopted for earlier albums. He attributed it to the fact that he stopped smoking (he had used this voice before, but never mind). On the track were Dylan (guitar, harmonica, keyboards, vocals), Pete Drake (pedal steel guitar), Charlie Daniels (guitar), Charlie McCoy (bass), Kenny Buttrey (drums), and Bob Wilson (organ, piano).

The song’s lyrics are simple and direct. It has become a standard and has been covered by numerous artists, including The Birds, The Everly Brothers, Melanie, The Isley Brothers, Duran Duran, Hoyt Axton, Ministry, and many more.

Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota. Over these many decades he has been a singer, songwriter, painter, writer, and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. His music covers variety of genres, including folk, blues, country, gospel, rock and roll, rockabilly, jazz, the American Songbook. He has been influential both musically and culturally.

Here are the lyrics to “Lay, Lady, Lay” by Bob Dylan:

“Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Whatever colors you have in your mind
I’ll show them to you and you’ll see them shine.

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Until the break of day, let me see you make him smile
His clothes are dirty but his hands are clean
And you’re the best thing that he’s ever seen.

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Why wait any longer for the world to begin
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love
When he’s standing in front of you.

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead.”

For other song by and performed by Bob Dylan: “Maggie’s Farm” and “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” The trio of Peter, Paul and Mary do a beautiful rendition of Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Lay, Lady, Lay” by Bob Dylan.