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When I Paint My Masterpiece is a song written by Bob Dylan and first released by The Band in 1971. It featured on their album Cahoots, which came out on September 15, 1971. Dylan and The Band performed the song together live in the early hours of January 1, 1972, at a New Year's Eve concert. The song has also been covered by the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band, Chris Whitley, Elliott Brood, and Greensky Bluegrass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | When I Paint My Masterpiece |
| Artists | Bob Dylan, The Band, Jerry Garcia Band, Grateful Dead |
| Album | Cahoots |
| Year | 1971 |
| Lyrics | Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble / Ancient footprints are everywhere / Well, you can almost think that you're seein' double / On a cold dark night on the Spanish Stairs |
| Lyrics (alternate) | Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble / Ancient footprints are everywhere / You can almost think that you're seein' double / On a cold, dark night on the Spanish Stairs / Got to hurry on back to my hotel room / Where I've got me a date with Botticelli's niece / (a pretty little girl from Greece or) Botticelli's niece / She promised she'd be right there with me / When I paint my masterpiece |
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What You'll Learn
Bob Dylan wrote the song in 1971
Bob Dylan wrote the song "When I Paint My Masterpiece" in 1971. The song was first released by The Band and appeared on their album Cahoots, which was released on September 15, 1971. Dylan's version was recorded at New York's Blue Rock Studio, with Leon Russell and session musicians, including Jesse Ed Davis on lead guitar. The recording sessions took place from March 16 to 19, 1971, and also produced the 45 RPM single "Watching the River Flow", which was released by CBS Records on June 3, 1971.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was one of many songs Dylan wrote and recorded during this prolific period in his career. In 1971, he also recorded "George Jackson", which he released on November 4, and made a surprise appearance at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh on August 1. Dylan's live performances had become rare by this time, and his appearance attracted media coverage.
Dylan continued to be productive in the following years, releasing numerous albums and songs. He has had a significant impact on popular culture and is considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His lyrics incorporate political, social, and philosophical influences, defying pop music conventions and appealing to counterculture.
Dylan's song "When I Paint My Masterpiece" has endured as a favourite among fans and has been performed by other artists, including The Grateful Dead, who often played the song in their concerts starting in 1987. The song has also been covered by Chris Whitley, Elliott Brood, and the bluegrass band Greensky Bluegrass.
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It was first released by The Band
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" is a song written by Bob Dylan and first released by The Band in 1971. The Band recorded the song for their album Cahoots, which was released on 15 September 1971. Dylan had recorded the song earlier that year at New York's Blue Rock Studio, backed by Leon Russell and session musicians, including Jesse Ed Davis on lead guitar.
The Band were a Canadian-American roots rock group that originally consisted of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard instruments, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, baritone saxophone, vocals), and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals).
Dylan and The Band performed "When I Paint My Masterpiece" together live in the early hours of 1 January 1972 at a New Year's Eve concert by The Band. This recording was released as a bonus track on the 2001 CD reissue of The Band's live album Rock of Ages.
The song has been covered by various artists, including Jerry Garcia Band, Grateful Dead, Chris Whitley, Elliott Brood, and Greensky Bluegrass.
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Dylan performed it with The Band on New Year's Eve 1971
Bob Dylan joined The Band for a New Year's Eve concert in 1971, performing together in the early hours of January 1, 1972. The Band's New Year's Eve show was the final night of their four-concert residency at the Academy of Music in New York City. The residency marked a career summation for The Band, who had become famous in their own right since working with Dylan.
The performance with Dylan was unrehearsed and off-the-cuff. The Band's Robbie Robertson recalled that they "figured it out" and "winged it" as they had "played with Bob so much over the years". Dylan and The Band huddled together before each song to decide what to play next. They performed a set including "Down in the Flood", "When I Paint My Masterpiece", "Don't Ya Tell Henry", and "Like a Rolling Stone".
Dylan sang lead on three of the four songs, and co-lead on the fourth. Recordings of the performance were released as bonus tracks on the 2001 CD reissue of The Band's live album *Rock of Ages*, and were also included on the 2013 release *Live at the Academy of Music 1971*.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" was first released by The Band on their 1971 album *Cahoots*. Dylan later recorded the song at New York's Blue Rock Studio, backed by Leon Russell and session musicians, including Jesse Ed Davis on lead guitar.
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The Grateful Dead often played the song in concerts
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" is a song written by Bob Dylan in 1971. It was first released by The Band, who recorded it for their album Cahoots, which came out on September 15, 1971. The Grateful Dead often played this song in concerts, with the first performance by the band dating back to 1987.
The Grateful Dead's vocalist, Bob Weir, usually sang lead on the song, but lead singer Jerry Garcia also performed it as early as 1972 with Merl Saunders and John Kahn, both of whom became members of the Jerry Garcia Band. The song is often included in the setlists of Grateful Dead concerts, sometimes alongside other Dylan songs.
The lyrics of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" paint a vivid picture, with references to the streets of Rome filled with rubble and ancient footprints everywhere. The song also mentions a date with Botticelli's niece in a hotel room and dodging lions in the Coliseum. These lyrics create a unique narrative that has captivated audiences and musicians alike.
The Grateful Dead's interpretation of the song added their own distinct style and flavour to it. Their live performances of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" often included extended jams and improvisational passages, showcasing the band's musical prowess and their ability to explore and expand upon the original composition.
The Grateful Dead's frequent performances of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" have helped to keep the song alive and introduced it to new generations of fans. Their renditions have also added to the song's legacy, demonstrating its enduring appeal and versatility in the hands of talented musicians.
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The song mentions the streets of Rome
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" is a song by Bob Dylan, released in 1971. It was first released by The Band, a Canadian-American roots rock group, who recorded the song for their album Cahoots. Dylan himself also recorded a solo version of the song, accompanying himself on piano. This version was released in 2013.
> Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble
> Ancient footprints are everywhere
> Well, you can almost think that you're seein' double
> On a cold dark night on the Spanish Stairs
These lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's experience in Rome, with references to the city's ancient history and iconic landmarks such as the Spanish Steps. The mention of "rubble" and "ancient footprints" suggests a sense of the city's long and tumultuous history, while the line about seeing double could allude to the disorienting effect of wandering through the city's narrow streets and ancient ruins.
The song continues with the singer hurrying back to their hotel room, where they have a date with a "pretty little girl from Greece" or, in another version, "Botticelli's niece." This adds a layer of intrigue and romance to the narrative, as the singer navigates the challenges of travel while also pursuing personal connections and artistic endeavours.
The mention of the streets of Rome in "When I Paint My Masterpiece" is just one example of how the song captures a sense of place and a journey through different lands. The song also references Brussels and the "land of Coca-Cola," highlighting the singer's desire to return to familiar comforts and the juxtaposition of ancient history with modern culture.
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Frequently asked questions
The song was written by Bob Dylan and was first released by The Band in 1971.
The Band performed the song live for the first time on January 1, 1972, at a New Year's Eve concert.
The song was released on The Band's album 'Cahoots' on September 15, 1971.
