Girl from the North Country
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
| “Girl from the North Country” | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Song by Bob Dylan | ||
| Album | The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan | |
| Released | May 27, 1963 | |
| Genre | Folk | |
| Length | 3:22 | |
| Label | Columbia Records | |
| Writer | Bob Dylan | |
| Composer | Bob Dylan | |
| The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan track listing | ||
|
||
"Girl from the North Country" (also known as "Girl of the North Country"[1]) is a song written by Bob Dylan. It was first released in 1963 as the second track on Dylan's second studio album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Dylan re-recorded the song as a duet with Johnny Cash in 1969. That recording became the first track on Nashville Skyline, Dylan's ninth studio album. Live performances by Dylan appear on the albums Real Live and The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration.
[edit] Origin of the song
The song was written following his first trip to England in December, 1962, upon what he thought to be the completion of his second album. The song is a tribute to a former girlfriend, Echo Helstrom who Dylan knew before leaving for New York. Dylan left England for Italy to search for his then-girlfriend, Suze Rotolo, whose continuation of studies there had caused a serious rift in their relationship. Unbeknownst to Dylan, Rotolo had already returned to the United States, leaving about the same time that Dylan arrived in Italy. It was here that he finished the song, ostensibly inspired by the apparent end of his relationship with Rotolo. Upon his return to New York in mid-January, he convinced Rotolo to get back together, and to move back into his apartment on 4th Street. Suze Rotolo is the woman featured on the album cover, walking arm in arm with Dylan down Jones Street, not far from their apartment.
While in London, Dylan met several figures in the local folk scene, including British folksinger Martin Carthy. "I ran into some people in England who really knew those [traditional English] songs," Dylan recalled in 1984. "Martin Carthy, another guy named [Bob] Davenport. Martin Carthy's incredible. I learned a lot of stuff from Martin." Carthy exposed Dylan to a repertoire of traditional English ballads, including Carthy's own arrangement of "Scarborough Fair," which Dylan drew upon for the melody and lyrics of "Girl from the North Country," including the line from the refrain "Remember me to one who lives there, she once was a true love of mine". It is of note that musically this song is nearly identical to his composition Boots of Spanish Leather, composed and recorded one year later for the 'The Times They Are A-Changin' album.
[edit] Cover versions
Joe Cocker performed the song on his 1970 live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
Rod Stewart also covered this song on his 1974 album Smiler.
Pete Townshend's "North Country Girl," on his album All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, is another variant on the traditional song that Dylan based "Girl from the North Country" on, albeit in a more pop-oriented manner. He has also performed live versions of the song more similar to Dylan's original.
The Secret Machines recorded a version of the song, and it occasionally makes its way onto setlists during tours.
Sam Bush also recorded a version of this song which is on his live album, Peaks of the Telluride.
Eels perform a slowed down, live, acoustic version on Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall.
The Black Crowes often cover this song during their live performances.
The Vasco Era have opened live performances with their version of this song.
Altan performed this song on their album Another Sky
Railroad Earth performed a live version of this song September 29th, 2007 at the Gothic Theater in Denver, Colorado.
Susan Herndon recorded the song with French lyrics on her 2007 album 1,000 Pies
A version exists on the internet that is a collaboration between M. Ward, Conor Oberst, and Jim James.
Link Wray & his Ray Men put out a version in 1965.
