Everything Is Broken

Bob Dylan's "Everything Is Broken," from his 1989 album Oh Mercy, is a rollicking blues-rock anthem that captures a world in disarray, with its vivid imagery of broken bottles, dishes, and hearts. The song, produced byV Daniel Lanois, who helmed the Oh Mercy sessions, shared in a Broken Record podcast interview that Dylan rewrote the song entirely between March and April 1989, transforming it from its original title, "Broken Days," into the sharp, universal lament it became. Lanois described Dylan's obsessive reworking process, noting how he sat beside Dylan for two months, watching him refine the lyrics to perfection. Critics like John Paul from Spectrum Culture have praised the song’s blues roots, calling it a timeless expression of despondency that resonates with anyone feeling the weight of a fractured world. The track’s gritty energy made it a standout, spending eight weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart, peaking at number eight in October 1989.

Interestingly, an alternate version of "Everything Is Broken" exists, featured on The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs, showcasing Dylan’s tendency to experiment with different takes. Fans on Reddit’s r/bobdylan community often cite the song as a highlight of Oh Mercy, with its swampy, atmospheric vibe—thanks to Lanois and members of the Neville Brothers’ band—evoking a sound akin to their album Yellow Moon. The song’s cultural reach extended beyond music, appearing in a 2021 Guardian list of "80 Bob Dylan songs everyone should know," cementing its status as a fan and critic favorite. Dylan himself detailed the song’s creation in his memoir Chronicles: Volume One, describing the Malibu songwriting sessions that birthed it.

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, began his musical journey in the late 1950s in Minneapolis’ Dinkytown, playing folk and blues under the name Bob Dylan, inspired by poet Dylan Thomas. By 1961, he moved to New York City, immersing himself in the Greenwich Village folk scene. His 1962 debut album, Bob Dylan, featured traditional covers, but his 1963 release, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, with originals like "Blowin’ in the Wind," marked him as a voice of the counterculture. Dylan’s shift to electric rock in 1965 with Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited revolutionized music, blending folk’s intellectualism with rock’s energy, despite alienating some purist fans. His influence, from inspiring the Byrds’ chart-topping "Mr. Tambourine Man" to shaping artists like Neil Young and Patti Smith, solidified his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters, with over 125 million records sold.

For the latest on Dylan, visit his official website at bobdylan.com, where you’ll find tour dates and news, like the recent release of The 1974 Live Recordings. Connect with him on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he’s been surprisingly active, sharing quirky posts about restaurant recommendations and hockey encounters. Fans can dive deeper through communities like r/bobdylan on Reddit or explore Flagging Down the Double E’s, a fan site by Ray Padgett offering detailed analyses of Dylan’s live performances. The Bob Dylan Fans Facebook group is another vibrant hub for Zoo Freaks to join the conversation.