Things Have Changed

Bob Dylan's 'Things Have Changed' is a song that encapsulates the feelings of disconnection and disillusionment with the state of the world. The lyrics convey a sense of weariness and a recognition that the world has become a place that is almost unrecognizable. Dylan's character in the song is a man who has seen too much and finds himself out of sync with the times. The opening lines set the stage for a narrative of a man who is alone, both physically and metaphorically, as he reflects on his life and the world around him.

The chorus, 'People are crazy and times are strange / I'm locked in tight, I'm out of range / I used to care, but things have changed,' serves as a refrain that underscores the transformation the narrator has undergone. He no longer feels a part of the world he once knew; the rules have changed, and so has he. The song suggests a loss of idealism and a sense of resignation to the madness of contemporary life. The repeated declaration 'I used to care, but things have changed' indicates a profound shift in the narrator's perspective, a detachment that has emerged from coping with the chaos of the modern world.

Dylan's lyrics often include rich imagery and symbolism, and 'Things Have Changed' is no exception. References to biblical apocalyptic visions ('If the bible is right, the world will explode') and the surreal ('Mr. Jinx and Miss Lucy, they jumped in the lake') paint a picture of a world that is both absurd and unpredictable. The song captures the zeitgeist of a society grappling with rapid change and uncertainty, and it resonates with listeners who feel alienated by the pace and direction of contemporary life. Dylan's gravelly voice and the song's bluesy rhythm contribute to the overall feeling of world-weariness and the acceptance of life's unpredictability.