FAWM: "I Didn't Even Have To Think The First Time"

I Didn't Even Have To Think The First Time

6 days ago by @edwinb

I Didn't Even Have To Think The First Time

edwinb

00:00

Liner Notes

Another #folk #answersong with #ukulele and harmonica #fuc. This is a response to Bob Dylan's, "Don't Think Twice It's All Right". Now I love that song, but it is really quite bitter and while I don't think the target of the song needs me to speak up for them 60-odd years later, I have anyway.

This was a surprisingly quick write, although I suppose it is one I've wanted to have a go at for a while. I don't think I've stolen any of the tune from the original, but you'll probably see a few nods to the lyrics and chords. Not that Dylan was averse to stealing lines and tunes. Ahem. Sorry Bob :).

Lyrics

I don't have any need to wonder why You couldn't bring yourself to say goodbye It doesn't matter much to me at all As I see you disappearing down the hall

I can smell the coffee as I'm slowly waking up The world is looking brighter as I pour another cup I don't need to think again, I'm doing fine I didn't even have to think the first time

A light has flickered on inside my head When you always kept me in the dark instead So I bid you travel safe along the road While I sit back and watch the river flow

Whatever you're believing there is nothing I can say But I wish I had the words so I'd be sure you stayed away You might think that I will have you on my mind But I didn't even have to think the first time

There's the heart and the soul I never had While you told me that you wanted me so bad Now I'm standing at the window looking on So I'm sure as I can be that you are gone

Wherever you are going, for fortune or for fame You're never going to hear me calling out your name And I hope you don't consider this unkind But I didn't even have to think the first time

Comments

@berni1954 2d

This is super. I love feedback songs like this. It has just enough of the original to be a true response. I like the line that you nicked from another Zimmerman song too - "Watching the river flow" 😁

My favourite couplet is this one: "A light has flickered on inside my head When you always kept me in the dark instead!"

@edwinb 2d

Cheers :). If you look carefully, that's not the only song I nicked from. There's three others in there somewhere... (deliberately, at least. Maybe some others by accident!)

@tiggy 3d

Love the response. It would have been a perfect reply after some of my breakups! And I have a soft spot for a harmonica as my dad used to play one.

@newukenewyork 4d

Nicely written response song! The harmonica is a perfect element.

@headfirstonlyMod 5d

I think that "Yeah, don't let the door hit you on the way out" is the perfect reponse to Bob's rather arrogant, self-centred original. He might be a genius, but he can also be a monumental dick. Very nicely done.

@aeye 6d

Great answer / response to Dylan as the others have said. Great harmonica too. I never understood how to play that thing no matter how many times I tried so props to you for being able to so well.