Tedeschi Trucks Band – The Soulful Reimagining of “Tangled Up in Blue”

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks’ performance of Bob Dylan’s *Tangled Up in Blue* at MGM Fenway on October 1st illustrated the power of musical storytelling. The Tedeschi Trucks Band took this classic song and brought their own soulful interpretation, giving new life to Dylan’s poetic lyrics and detailed narrative. Susan Tedeschi’s voice, known for its warmth and depth, added a deeply emotional dimension that felt genuine and moving. She communicated the story’s winding path through love and loss with a clarity that allowed each line to be felt. Derek Trucks’ guitar work added bluesy undertones and sliding notes, enhancing the song’s depth while staying true to its folk roots.

Tedeschi Trucks Band performs Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue” at MGM Fenway on 10/1/24 in Boston, MA. Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions. Audio by Casey C.

The band’s arrangement struck a balance between honoring Dylan’s original and bringing their own style to it. Rather than merely covering the song, they re-envisioned it, combining blues, rock, and folk elements that made it distinctly theirs. Susan’s vocals and Derek’s guitar played off each other beautifully, creating an exchange that emphasized the song’s themes. The rest of the band contributed to a rich, complete sound that surrounded the audience and brought them into the narrative.

With Less Than Face Productions and Casey C.’s audio work, the quality of the event was polished and balanced, allowing the audience to enjoy the full experience. Lighting and staging created a warm, intimate atmosphere that felt like a shared storytelling session. Fans swayed, sang along, and responded to every shift in the music, creating an engaging exchange between the band and the crowd.

As the song drew to a close, it was clear that the Tedeschi Trucks Band had succeeded in both honoring Dylan’s work and transforming it into something uniquely theirs. This performance of *Tangled Up in Blue* was a testament to the band’s ability to reinterpret classic songs with genuine feeling and authenticity, reminding the audience of the lasting power of Dylan’s lyrics and the band’s unique talent. The crowd left with a renewed appreciation for Dylan’s work and for the heart Tedeschi and Trucks put into making this classic their own.

Lyrics:
Early one mornin’ the sun was shinin’
I was layin’ in bed
Wond’rin’ if she’d changed at all
If her hair was still red
Her folks they said our lives together
Sure was gonna be rough
They never did like Mama’s homemade dress
Papa’s bankbook wasn’t big enough
And I was standin’ on the side of the road
Rain fallin’ on my shoes
Heading out for the East Coast
Lord knows I’ve paid some dues gettin’ through
Tangled up in blue

She was married when we first met
Soon to be divorced
I helped her out of a jam, I guess
But I used a little too much force
We drove that car as far as we could
Abandoned it out West
Split up on a dark sad night
Both agreeing it was best
She turned around to look at me
As I was walkin’ away
I heard her say over my shoulder
“We’ll meet again someday on the avenue”
Tangled up in blue

I had a job in the great north woods
Working as a cook for a spell
But I never did like it all that much
And one day the ax just fell
So I drifted down to New Orleans
Where I happened to be employed
Workin’ for a while on a fishin’ boat
Right outside of Delacroix
But all the while I was alone
The past was close behind
I seen a lot of women
But she never escaped my mind, and I just grew
Tangled up in blue

She was workin’ in a topless place
And I stopped in for a beer
I just kept lookin’ at the side of her face
In the spotlight so clear
And later on as the crowd thinned out
I’s just about to do the same
She was standing there in back of my chair
Said to me, “Don’t I know your name?”
I muttered somethin’ underneath my breath
She studied the lines on my face
I must admit I felt a little uneasy
When she bent down to tie the laces of my shoe
Tangled up in blue

She lit a burner on the stove
And offered me a pipe
“I thought you’d never say hello,” she said
“You look like the silent type”
Then she opened up a book of poems
And handed it to me
Written by an Italian poet
From the thirteenth century
And every one of them words rang true
And glowed like burnin’ coal
Pourin’ off of every page
Like it was written in my soul from me to you
Tangled up in blue

I lived with them on Montague Street
In a basement down the stairs
There was music in the cafés at night
And revolution in the air
Then he started into dealing with slaves
And something inside of him died
She had to sell everything she owned
And froze up inside
And when finally the bottom fell out
I became withdrawn
The only thing I knew how to do
Was to keep on keepin’ on like a bird that flew
Tangled up in blue

So now I’m goin’ back again
I got to get to her somehow
All the people we used to know
They’re an illusion to me now
Some are mathematicians
Some are carpenters’ wives
Don’t know how it all got started
I don’t know what they’re doin’ with their lives
But me, I’m still on the road
Headin’ for another joint
We always did feel the same
We just saw it from a different point of view
Tangled up in blue

Written by: Bob Dylan
Copyright © 1974 by Ram’s Horn Music; renewed 2002 by Ram’s Horn Music