Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan

It means everything and nothing that Bob Dylan was going through a divorce when he wrote Blood on the Tracks, considered one of his greatest albums. On one hand, there’s romantic pain in nearly every song, and what sounds like very specific references to his marriage. On the other, Dylan has ridiculed the idea that he’d write an album of diary entries.

Dylanologists could spend hours outlining the deep meanings in these songs, but it’s worth noting that Dylan was also studying painting at the time, and was fascinated with the idea of shifting perspectives. Keep that in mind when “Tangled Up in Blue” takes its narrative jumps and shifts from first to third person: You’re supposed to absorb the story from a distance and assemble the pieces yourself

According to a news story in spring 2008, Blood on the Tracks is a popular item in Senator Barack Obama’s iPod.

In a word, relax. Don’t charge into this one just after you’ve five-starred “Run To the Hills” and the adrenaline is still flowing. Dylan liked to record with live musicians playing together, so think in terms of natural imperfections.

The drum pack is loping and laid-back Nashville-style, and not as easy as it sounds: The bass drum is slightly behind the beat, so go for feel instead of precision.

As for the vocal, remember that you’re telling a story. Each verse melody may be the same, but Dylan never sings it the same way twice, so you’ll need to get used to where he twists the tune to suit his purpose.

Still being Bob Dylan, inscrutable as ever.