Daily Jam - Wigwam

Just close your eyes for a moment or two and let the swaying rhythm and melody wash over you like purifying waves of sound, the horn section ebbing and flowing like the pristine blue waves of some hidden lagoon, your fingers gently gliding through the water to the sing-songy “da da dah da da’s,” as the sun burns bright above you. Picture the love of your life slowly moving closer towards you, striding gracefully across the hazy dunes, floating, an almost surreal and dreamlike movement, but honest and true. But above all else, happy. And then the moment fades away in caress.

I have no idea why Bob Dylan’s “Wigwam” makes me feel this way. It’s kind of a love song…maybe. There are no real lyrics, so it’s hard to gauge, but it feels like it should be one. There’s an overwhelming romantic quality to it all, more than likely stemming from the Mariachi-esque horn section that plays throughout, and Dylan’s almost playful “da’s” and “la’s,” like someone at a loss for words, all blushing and rosy-cheeked in the presence of one’s betrothed. It’s short and sweet, but feels like this revelatory notion of untempered love, like holding hands in the hallway or sneaking a kiss before night’s end. And it always makes me smile.

Everybody has a favorite Dylan song, mine just happens to come from a record considered by many to be at best a glorified bootleg album, and at worst an intentional joke. So, without further ado, here’s “Wigwam” from 1970’s Self Portrait.

Smile.