interview66

Davis: Ummmmm. Do you wear that tie when you write - when you're writing your songs?

Dylan: When I write? No, I usually wear this after I get done - after I finish something very good. To make myself really feel good, I put on the tie, and then I feel much better about it - and usually I have a hit.

Davis: Really? Oh really? Oh, that's great! What songs did you write ...

Dylan: Oh, I wrote ... uh ... I wrote ... well, let's see. Well, after I wrote "Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" I wasn't sure if it was any good. So I put on the tie and I KNEW I had no problems from there on in. And it was a hit!

Davis: Gosh!

Dylan: Yeah! Pete Seeger recorded it, yeah, and that was a hit.

Davis: Yeah? Well, what are your plans for the future, Mr Dye-lan?

Dylan: Oh, I ...

Davis: Can I call you Bob?

Dylan: I'd appreciate it if you'd call me Mr Dye-lan.

Davis: Oh, Okay.

Dylan: Most high school students do.

Davis: All right.

Dylan: What was the question?

Davis: Uh .. uh ... oh yes, what are your plans for the future?

Dylan: Well, I'm gonna take off this tie.

Davis: Yes.

Dylan: That's the immediate future, take off the tie.

Davis: Oh, did you just finish writing something?

Dylan: I just finished writing something just before you came.

Davis: I see.

Dylan: I just finished writing something, and you know that's why I got the tie on.

Davis: Oh, I'm so glad! I might never have seen you in a tie if I hadn't come just when you finished writing something.

Dylan: Yeah, most people NEVER get to see me in this tie.

Davis: Really? Really?

Dylan: Yeah, and I have some more ties.

Davis: Different ones? I mean do you have different ones for different kind of songs?

Dylan: Oh, I have a whole lot of ties in my bedroom.

Davis: Yeaaah?

Dylan: Would you like to go in my bedroom and see some more?

Davis: Oh ... more what?

Dylan: More TIES!

Davis: Oh, oh! Are you going to write some songs?

Dylan: I just might write a song - write a song RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!

Davis: You mean - wee that is, uh, with your tie off?

Dylan: With my tie off - and I'll put it right back on when I'm done. You'll be very safe.

Davis: Oh, well, well, okay.

Published in Cavalier Magazine Feb 1966 and reprinted in the booklet "Positively Tie Dream".