"Sleepwalker" - The Wallflowers

Since Bob Dylan is my "God", I guess that would make his son, Jakob Dylan the equivalent of my "Jesus". The thing that sets Jakob Dylan apart from most other famous musician's offspring is that his genes are not his claim to fame. He doesn't leverage his famous DNA to further his career. Everything Jakob has accomplished has been through his own talent and perseverance. It can't have been easy to succeed in the shadow of his famous father, but Jakob has held his own. In an interview with Jakob, Scott Gold, a Times staff writer, describes the cross that Jakob bears; "For 45 years, Bob Dylan's fans have walked a fine line between devoted and obsessive. One piece of fascination -- to both artists' chagrin -- has long focused on Jakob Dylan, the only Dylan child who elected to become a recording artist.”

Jakob was born the youngest of four children to Bob Dylan and his ex-wife Sara. Bob and Sara had the highest profile relationship of any of Dylan's romances. At least two of Bob's songs were directly written about her, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", and "Sara". The latter of which was an attempt to reconcile their disintegrating marriage. Jakob has commented that the Bob Dylan album, "Blood on the Tracks", is effectively a conversation between his parents. He has also admitted that one of his dad’s more famous songs, “Forever Young”, was written about him.

Jakob fronted the successful nineties band, The Wallflowers. He has also had a successful solo career as well. "Sleepwalker", was the first single off of The Wallflowers third album, "Breach". Very much like his father, much of what Jakob writes is mysterious and complicated. To sit and try decipher this song would drive me mad, so I won't offer my opinion on what the song means this time - instead i'll offer a bit of insight into one of the lyrics.

Bob Dylan often referred to famed folk singer, Sam Cooke, in his writing and Jakob Dylan seems to have followed suit. One fan breaks down the reference for us; "Cupid, don't draw back your bow, Sam Cooke didn't know what I know", refers to Cooke, in at least two different ways. Sam Cooke wrote and sang "Cupid", (Cupid, draw back your bow.."). Dylan reverses the line and asks "Cupid" to spare him from falling in love. He also plays on another one of Cooke's lyrics, "I don't know much about history..geography..(etc.) but I know that I love you and I know that if you love me too, what a wonderful world it would be." Jakob sings, "Sam Cooke didn't know what I know", meaning that love isn't the wonderful thing Cooke thought it was.

There is essence of a young Bob Dylan in Jakob Dylan's gravelly voice, and in the sophistication of his lyrics. He is very much like his father in the sense that he remains a mystery to the media and keeps his private life very private. I tried to find the acoustic version of "Sleepwalker" - which  I prefer - but couldn't find a link with video. Definetly download the acoustic version.

For links to other Jakob Dylan interview check out 

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/08/entertainment/ca-dylan8/4

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/08/arts/music/08decu.html?pagewanted=all

Maybe I could be the one they adore

That could be my reputation
It's where I'm from that lets them think I'm a whore
I'm an educated virgin

Sleepwalker, don't be shy
Now don't open your eyes tonight
You'll be the one that defends my life
While I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried

Let me in, let me drown or learn how to swim
Just don't leave me at the window
I could be the one to be your next best friend
You may need someone to hold you

Sleepwalker, take this knife
You may see someone tonight
You'd be the one that saves my life
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'

Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried


I'm in your movie and everyone looks sad
But I can hear you, your voice, the laughtrack
But you never saw my best scene
The one where I sleep
Sleepwalk into your dreams


Now, sleepwalker, what's my line
It's only a matter of time
Until I learn to open up my eyes
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'
Cupid, don't draw back your bow
Sam Cooke didn't know what I know
I'll never be your valentine
The sleepwalker in me

Now, the sleepwalker in me
Now, the sleepwalker in me
And God only know that I've tried