Album: Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)

License This Song 

• Go 'way from my window
  Leave at your own chosen speed
  I'm not the one you want, babe
  I'm not the one you need
  You say you're lookin' for someone
  Who's never weak but always strong
  To protect you an' defend you
  Whether you are right or wrong
  Someone to open each and every door
  But it ain't me, babe
  No, no, no, it ain't me babe
  It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
  It ain't me you're lookin' for
  
  Step lightly from the ledge, babe
  Step lightly on the ground
  I'm not the one you want, babe
  I will only let your down
  You say you're lookin' for someone
  Who will promise never to part
  Someone to close his eyes for you
  Someone to close his heart
  Someone who will die for you an' more
  But it ain't me, babe
  No, no, no, it ain't me babe
  It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
  It ain't me you're lookin' for
  
  Go melt back in the night
  Everything inside is made of stone
  There's nothing in here moving
  An' anyway I'm not alone
  You say you're looking for someone
  Who'll pick you up each time you fall
  Someone To gather flowers constantly
  An' to come each time you call
  A lover for your life an' nothing more
  But it ain't me, babe
  No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
  It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
  It ain't me you're lookin Writer/s: Bob Dylan
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

• Utter from LondonTo me, he's clearly calling out/saying no to a person with narcissistic relationship expections (tho ones that often presented/misconstrued as 'traditional romantic). 'Babe's' expectations reveal that she wants her lover to be nothing more than a cipher. Others are objects for her use - aggrandisement, protection etc - no matter if it requires them to betreray themselves, have no views of their own, even die. Classic narcissitic expectation.
• Arlie from Ny NyThere is also a song written by John Jacob Niles that begins this way, sung by Joan Baez. It was written in 1946, or rather transcribed then, if I'm thinking that might be right. Anyway, it begins "Go way from my window, go way from my door." That's where I'm pretty sure he got the phrasing.
• Gerry ODuring the early 60s, due to “protest” songs like Blowing in the Wind, Dylan was proclaimed in the media as the voice of his generation. This is something he was very uncomfortable with. But due to this label that was given to him, it was expected in certain circles that he would show up at demonstrations around the country in support of causes like the civil rights and anti war movements, much in the way other folk acts were doing (Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary). First and foremost, Dylan considered himself to be an artist and performer, not an activist, and he began to resent people in the different movements and media who were defining who he was and putting pressure on him to participate in activities and organizations that he wasn’t comfortable with. This song was an answer to them. He wanted people to know that he wasn’t going to allow them to define who he was, and he wanted them to know that he wasn’t going to be pressured into joining them.
• Liz from NyI believe it is about how if we have these needs we must find these within ourself and not seek them out through a relationship. That relationship could be with a partner or even a parent/child relationship.
• Guy Murray from LondonI feel like it’s a song about non attachment and learning to unconditionally love. Reflecting back to people (man or women) that if you NEED this person, to close their heart, to always pick you up when you fall down, to be picking wild flowers, then you are not living life as an individual selflessly. It’s not saying that I’m leaving you- just that within me I am the rock, I do not need anyone else and that you do not either. Instead we learn to do things for ourselves and shine brighter next to one another in this way.
  This was after a serious trip on LSD.
• Eustace Fril from New YorkThis song is clearly an antiwar song! it is addressed to the American flag, and refers to the war in Vietnam. See full analysis at http://emf.neocities.org/bd/itaintmebabe.html
• Jebber from Sudbury, OnI too am surprised there aren't many comments, I guess it's about what this song means to the listener?
  
  To me it's about a relationship that despite the feelings involved simply didn't work, and both were bound to be hurt either way, regardless of the feelings... Whatever it is the song is powerful and only Bob himself would have to tell us the true meaning.
• David from Woburn, MaHow are there no comments yet?
  
  This is one of my favorite Dylan songs, particularly the live version off Bootleg Vol. 6 when he sings a duet with Joan Baez. Definitely one of the more intricate and imaginative ways to sing about infidelity.

More Songfacts:

Dude (Looks Like A Lady)Aerosmith

"Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" by Aerosmith was inspired by Vince Neil from Motley Crue.

Candle In The WindElton John

Marilyn Monroe is the subject of Elton John's "Candle In The Wind," but the song is really a look at how we react to celebrities who die young.

BadMichael Jackson

Wesley Snipes played the rival gang leader in Michael Jackson's "Bad" video.

Fields Of GoldSting

Sting wrote "Fields of Gold" after buying a house near a barley field and enjoying the majestic sunsets.

AnacondaNicki Minaj

"Anaconda" was originally recorded by Missy Elliott in 2012, but the rapper decided to shelf the track so it was re-recorded by Minaj two years later.

Don't Stop Believin'Journey

The "Don't Stop Believin'" resurgence started when the Journey song was used in a roller skating scene of the 2003 movie Monster.

Editor's Picks

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.