A Deep Dive into "Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan - What & where is Desolation Row? I have the answers

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A Deep Dive into “Desolation Row”

This beast of a song is over 11 mins long. One of the longest popular songs at that time was “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones clocking in at a mere feeble 3:43 compared to “Desolation Row”.
With it being so long, is it all rubbish or is there actually conviction in the words Dylan is saying.
Let’s start out simple, take the title. “Desolation” means to me; emptiness and loneliness. “Row” meaning, most likely at least, a street with buildings on each side.
The title itself is almost an oxymoron, it seems to me Dylan is going to paint a picture of loneliness in a hamlet full of surprises and wonder. And we all know that to be true by knowing the song.
Before getting into the lyrics fully, let’s stay on this idea of Desolation Row actually being a place…
Al Kooper said “[it’s] an area infested with whore houses, sleazy bars and porno supermarkets totally beyond renovation or redemption”.
Dylan said, "Oh, that's some place in Mexico, it's across the border. It's noted for its Coke factory.”


#BobDylan #DesolationRow