Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Bob Dylan)

31 JANUARY 1966


Bob Dylan’s generally overlooked single ‘Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?’ entered the UK charts at #17 (its highest position) during this week. It reached #58 on the US Billboard chart. Hardly a massive hit, but a splendid bit of music nonetheless.

The studio backing band here was the Hawks, later to become The Band, and a classic Dylan sound, all richly-layered guitars, organ, xylophone, piano and harmonica, with inventive but cryptic lyrics.  .
'He looks so truthful, is this how he feels
Trying to peel the moon and expose it
With his businesslike anger and his bloodhounds that kneel
If he needs a third eye he just grows it
He just needs you to talk or to pick up his chalk
Or remember where he throws it.'
This song was included in Nick Hornby's book '31 Songs'. The excellent version here in the video above is from ‘The Bootleg Series’.

Recorded: 30 November 1965
Released: 21 December 1965
Highest chart position: #17 (UK), #58 (US)
Length: 3:32
Writer: Bob Dylan
Producer: Bob Johnston


'He sits in your room, his tomb with a fist full of tacks
Preoccupied with his vengeance
Cursin' the dead that can't answer him back
You know that he has no intentions
Of looking your way, unless it's to say
That he needs you to test his inventions

Hey, come crawl out your window
Use your hands and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
You can go back to him any time you want to

He looks so truthful, is this how he feels?
Trying to peel the moon and expose it
With his business-like anger and bloodhounds that kneel
If he needs a third eye he just grows it
He just needs you to talk or to hand him his chalk
Or pick it up after he throws it

Hey, please crawl out your window
Oh, use your hands and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
You can go back to him any time you want to

He looks so righteous while your face is so changed
As you sit on the box you keep him in
While his genocide fools and friends rearrange
Their religion of the little ten women
That backs up their views but your face is so bruised
Come on out the dark is just beginning

Hey, please come out your window
Oh, use your hands and legs it won't ruin you
How can you say he will haunt you?
When you can go back to him any time that you want to

You've got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend
If you won't come out your window
Yes, come out your window'