Steve - Willie Nelson has so much class and integrity that he could darn near run for God (instead of president) as far as I'm concerned. What a superb performer.

Peter T. - I'm one of those weirdos who pays absolute attention to the lyrics too, so you are not alone. A song like "Don't Think Twice" is not written to be listened to by the other party (in the collapsed romance) at all...it's a dialogue between the singer and himself. Period. If the singer happens to be famous, of course, then everybody else will end up hearing it too, and the usual reactions will follow.

Bob was in a whole lot of pain. It was Suze that was leaving him (and she was in a whole lot of pain too, needless to say). He was riding the whirlwind (of fame) and losing most of his close human contacts in the process.

I've written some pretty vicious songs about defunct relationships (both lovers and friends) on the odd occasion. I had to do it, just so I could talk to myself about what I was going through. The other person never gets to hear those songs if I can help it. If I was famous, I would not be able to help it...they would end up hearing the song.

How much guts must it take to be famous and still honest?

That's how it goes.

The "I once loved a woman, a child I'm told" was obviously referring to Suze. No doubt about that at all.

The deeper you love, the worse it hurts...at times.