Day of the Locusts
| "Day of the Locusts" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Bob Dylan | |
| from the album New Morning | |
| Released | October 21, 1970 |
| Recorded | August 12, 1970[1] |
| Studio | Studio B, CBS Studio Building (New York) |
| Length | 3:58 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Bob Dylan |
| Producer(s) | Bob Johnston |
"Day of the Locusts" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It appears on his eleventh studio album New Morning, released on October 21, 1970. The song was inspired by Dylan's experience receiving an honorary degree from Princeton University, which occurred during a Brood X emergence of cicadas.[2]
Background and recording
[edit]"Day of the Locusts" is a depiction of Dylan's experience receiving an honorary doctorate from Princeton University in June 1970. Dylan was uneasy about going to the ceremony and receiving the award, and had to be convinced by then-wife Sara and musician David Crosby to attend.[1] Jim Beviglia of American Songwriter highlights the influence of gospel music in the song's chorus, while also noting the juxtaposition of "easygoing, upbeat music" against the conflicted tone of the lyrics.[3]
The recording of "Day of the Locusts" took place at Studio B in the CBS Studio Building in New York, with Dylan performing seven takes of the song on August 12, 1970.[1] This session occurred long after much of New Morning was recorded; however, biographer Clinton Heylin suggests that the recording of the song inspired Dylan to discard the covers he had recently recorded and instead re-record "If Not for You" and "Time Passes Slowly", both of which would also appear on New Morning.[1]
Reception
[edit]"Day of the Locusts" has received positive reviews from critics. Beviglia praises the song for its "wry humor" and "surreal" lyrics.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Heylin, Clinton (2009). Revolution in the Air: The Songs of Bob Dylan 1957-1973. Chicago Review Press. p. 414-415. ISBN 978-1-55652-843-9.
- ^ Greene, Andy (June 10, 2021). "Flashback: Bob Dylan Recalls 1970 Cicada Swarm at Princeton in 'Day of the Locusts'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Beviglia, Jim (September 30, 2024). "The Bob Dylan Lyric About His Brush with Academia". Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Beviglia, Jim (September 17, 2024). "Behind the Album: 'New Morning', A Solid Album from Bob Dylan When He Needed It Most". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 16, 2025.