Hey what happened to my Guns and Roses lead part?
By Stephen Pate – “Wiggle Wiggle” from the 1990 CD Under the Red Sky is one of those Bob Dylan songs that drives people nuts. Why isn’t it like “Desolation Row” or “Forever Young“?
Even guitar god Slash defers to Dylan and producer Don Was on this one, as they should.
“Slash tells Radio.com about playing guitar on Bob Dylan’s “Wiggle Wiggle” from the 1990 album “Under the Red Sky. And the somewhat uncomfortable call he had with producer Don Was afterwards, when he had to ask why his solo didn’t make the song.” Radio.com
International Dylan expert Michael Gray tweeted “But Slash DOESN’T play lead on Wiggle Wiggle. Bob asked him to “play like Django Reinhardt” (nice joke); unable to, his lead was cut.” @1michaelgray1
“Under The Red Sky” is another of those Bob Dylan albums that critics tramped all over. Forget them, put it on the CD and listen with your ears. Ostensibly an album to his new daughter Desiree, the album is quintessential Bob Dylan filled with creativity and imagination. Even the so-called nursery rhymes have double meanings but then don’t they all?
Critics savaged the album when it was released giving equal measure of blame to Dylan and producer Don Was, yes the same Don Was who they lauded the last week for the excellent MusiCares 2015 show. Bub Dylan critics are the worst pack of wannabees and I never listen to them.
“Cat’s in the Well” from the album was a concert staple for years on the Never Ending Tour. During the decade of 2000, Dylan played “Cat’s in the Well” every year peaking at 39 times in both 2004 and 2007, for a total of 198 performances.
“Under the Red Sky” was also performed frequently although not as often. That was the golden decade when Dylan rotated more than 100 songs per year on his set list. The songs on Under the Red Sky get inside your head and will never leave. Classic Dylan.
Under the Red Sky song list
1. Wiggle Wiggle
2. Under The Red Sky
3. Unbelievable
4. Born In Time
5. T.V. Talkin’ Song
6. 10,000 Men
7. 2 X 2
8. God Knows
9. Handy Dandy
10. Cat’s In The Well
Where to find Under the Red Sky
If you don’t own “Under the Red Sky” pull out your credit card and order it otherwise you are missing some great Dylan songs. Otherwise it’s almost impossible to find on YouTube or the internet.Dylan guards his jewels.
Amazon.com is a good place to start looking for the CD which is bargain priced under $6 Under The Red Sky
Also available from iTunes – Under the Red Sky (Remastered) – Bob Dylan and on Bob Dylan Complete Album Collection
Wiggle Wiggle lyrics
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a gypsy queen,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle all dressed in green,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle ’til the moon is blue,
Wiggle ’til the moon sees you.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle in your boots and shoes,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, you got nothing to lose,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, like a swarm of bees,
Wiggle on your hands and knees.
Bridge #1:
Wiggle to the front, wiggle to the rear,
Wiggle ’til you wiggle right out of here,
Wiggle ’til it opens, wiggle ’til it shuts,
Wiggle ’til it bites, wiggle ’til it cuts.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a bowl of soup,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a rolling hoop,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a ton of lead,
Wiggle – you can raise the dead.
Bridge #2:
Wiggle ’til you’re high, wiggle ’til you’re higher,
Wiggle ’til you vomit fire,
Wiggle ’til it whispers, wiggle ’til it hums,
Wiggle ’til it answers, wiggle ’til it comes.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like satin and silk,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle like a pail of milk,
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, rattle and shake,
Wiggle like a big fat snake.
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Ferdinand_The_Imposter
I agree. Played that thing to death along with the Pretenders’ “Packed.” Long before then I stopped talking about Dylan, never tried to convince anyone he was good or that they should check this or that out, just enjoyed for myself.