Bob Dylan Throws a Lot of References in New Surprise Track "I Contain Multitudes"

Shortly after the release of his 17-minute epic "Murder Most Foul," Bob Dylan is back again without a warning in releasing "I Contain Multitudes," earlier today, April 17.

His second song in just three weeks is another ballad, like his earlier release, but much shorter (at 4:38) and has a less complicated narrative. "I Contain Multitudes" is described by Rolling Stone as "a delicate ballad with a minimal arrangement," referring to the song's use of harp-like string plucks, deep and continually resonating cello sounds, and the absence of percussion through the track.

The lyrics throw a multitude of references, with witty and mischievous lines. "Today, tomorrow, and yesterday, too/The flowers are dyin' like all things do." Dylan opens. He then ends his second verse with "I paint landscapes, and I paint nudes/I contain multitudes."

He first notes his supposed similarities with Edgar Allan Poe, "Got a tell-tale heart, like Mr. Poe/Got skeletons in the walls of people you know."

Dylan then throws a nod to David Bowie with the title of his 1972 track, "I relic and I frolic with 'all the young dudes'/ I contain multitudes."

In the last verse of "Multitudes," Bob Dylan likens himself to Anne Frank, Indiana Jones, and "them British bad boys," The Rolling Stones.

"I live on the boulevard of crime/I drive fast cars, and I eat fast foods/I contain multitudes," Dylan ends.

Bob Dylan first teased his new single with a simple Twitter post yesterday, April 16, stating "#IContainMultitudes." It was followed by another post around midnight, containing the link to his new song as well as the online streaming services to play or download the song. The link was captioned with a list of pairs referenced in the song, such as today and tomorrow, skeletons and nudes, and Anne Frank and Indiana Jones.

Following Triplicate?

His second surprise release of "I Contain Multitudes" after "Murder Most Foul" hints at a possible upcoming studio album. His last studio album "Triplicate" was released on March 31, 2017, his 38th overall, and his first to include three discs of ten tracks each.

Dylan's first surprise track, "Murder Most Foul," is a 17-minute epic ballad that illustrates and seemingly implies theories on the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. From referencing people (Oswald and Ruby) to places (Dealey Plaza and the Grassy Knoll), Dylan hauntingly recreates the fateful day in Dallas, Texas.

Aside from the JFK incident, "Murder Most Foul" also drops references to music and the various personalities that helped shape it. From Liverpool quartet turned worldwide phenomenon The Beatles, to soul legends Etta James and Guitar Slim, to The Who's opera "Tommy." Dylan created a more ominous-sounding, kaleidoscopic view of American music from the 50s to the 80s in his lengthy song.

Among the numerous titles and nicknames attached to Bob Dylan over his five-decade career is "The Voice of the Generation," due to the number of influential topical songs he released in the 60s. It was in 1980 that Janet Maslin of the New York Post wrote about the songs in his sophomore album "The Freewheelin'" are those that established him as "the voice of his generation."

Watch Bob Dylan's "I Contain Multitudes" below:

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