"Visions of Johanna" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde. Dylan first recorded the song in New York City in November 1965, under the working title of "Freeze Out", but was dissatisfied with the results. When the Blonde on Blonde recording sessions moved to Nashville in February 1966, Dylan attempted the composition again with different musicians, and decided to release this performance. Three alternative versions of the song have been officially released: one of them a November 1965 studio outtake, and two others live performances from his 1966 world tour.
Several critics have acclaimed "Visions of Johanna" as one of Dylan's highest achievements in writing, praising the allusiveness and subtlety of the language. Rolling Stone included "Visions of Johanna" on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1999, Sir Andrew Motion, poet laureate of the UK, listed it as his candidate for the greatest song lyric ever written. Numerous artists have recorded cover versions of the song, including The Grateful Dead, Marianne Faithfull and Robyn Hitchcock.
Read more about Visions Of Johanna: Recording, Live Performances and Recordings, Interpretation, Legacy, Cover Versions
Famous quotes containing the words visions of, visions and/or johanna:
“...I remembered the rose bush that had reached a thorny branch out through the ragged fence, and caught my dress, detaining me when I would have passed on. And again the symbolism of it all came over me. These memories and visions of the poor—they were the clutch of the thorns. Social workers have all felt it. It holds them to their work, because the thorns curve backward, and one cannot pull away.”
—Albion Fellows Bacon (1865–1933)
“Three things there be in man’s opinion dear,
Fame, many friends, and fortune’s dignities:
False visions all, which in our sense appear,
To sanctify desire’s idolatry.”
—Fulke Greville (1554–1628)
“Too nice is neighbor’s fool.”
—Common Dutch saying, trans by Johanna C. Prins.