Bob Dylan has shared another new single out of nowhere. The famous folk-rock singer released “I Contain Multitudes” by surprise on Friday. The relaxing track follows the surprise arrival of the much-longer “Murder Most Foul” shared late last month.
The track takes its title from a famous Walt Whitman quote, “Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes.” The 78-year-old Dylan showcases his Nobel Prize-level lyrical abilities on the song as he’s heard unapologetically comparing himself to historical and cultural figures such as Anne Frank, William Blake, Indiana Jones, and even “Them British bad boys, the Rolling Stones.”
Dylan’s vocals are surprisingly clear considering the mileage on his famous voice, and they impress as he continues singing a mix of interesting, self-proclaiming lyrics like, “I drive fast cars/And I eat fast foods” and “I’m a man of contradictions/I’m a man of many moods.”
Listen to the new song below.
Bob Dylan – “I Contain Multitudes”
[Video: Bob Dylan]
Dylan is scheduled to team up with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats for a run of summer performances beginning on June 4th Bend, OR. In all likelihood, however, the summer tour will likely be postponed or canceled as more festivals and concerts continue to get canceled or pushed back to the fall thanks to the ongoing industry shutdown from COVID-19.
Stay tuned to Dylan’s website for concert updates in the coming weeks.