Soul Music
Diamonds and Rust
Oct 12, 2024
Joan Baez, the iconic folk singer and activist, reflects on her transformative relationship with Bob Dylan, which inspired the legendary song ‘Diamonds and Rust’. Music writer Kevin EG Perry reveals the song's backstory, while Judy Collins reminisces about their performances together and the Newport Folk Festival. Classicist Edith Hall shares how the song helped her through a tough divorce, connecting its themes of nostalgia and loss to personal experiences. This heartfelt conversation celebrates music's power to evoke memories and healing.
27:51
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Quick takeaways
- Joan Baez's 'Diamonds and Rust' exemplifies the bittersweet essence of love, interweaving cherished memories with painful past experiences shaped by time.
- The podcast highlights how Baez and Dylan's tumultuous relationship influenced their creative paths, ultimately illustrating the complex interplay of identity and fame in their lives.
Deep dives
The Story Behind 'Diamonds and Rust'
Joan Baez's song 'Diamonds and Rust' is inspired by a phone call she received from Bob Dylan, prompting deep reflections on their past relationship. The lyrics reveal the bittersweet nature of love, illustrating how memories can evoke both cherished moments ('diamonds') and painful experiences ('rust'). The contrasting emotions encapsulate the journey of seeing a significant relationship through a new lens years later, emphasizing the transformative power of time. Baez recalls their early days when they supported each other in their music careers, adding layers to the emotional narrative of their shared history.
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