The Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup featuring some of music’s most iconic figures, released “Took My Breath Away” on their second album, Volume 3. This track, often overshadowed by bigger hits and debated within Dylan circles, offers a fascinating glimpse into the band’s dynamics and potential tributes. While some critics like Heylin suggest Bob Dylan’s involvement in Volume 3 was minimal, the songwriting credits tell a different story, placing Dylan squarely within the creative process of this particular song.
Despite the speculation around Dylan’s engagement, “Took My Breath Away” carries a distinct weight, especially when considered as a possible homage to Roy Orbison. Orbison, a beloved member of the Wilburys during their first volume, had passed away before the creation of Volume 3. The lyrics, seemingly simple on the surface, take on a poignant depth when viewed through the lens of remembrance. Lines like, “You took this song of mine, And changed the middle bit,” can be interpreted not literally, but metaphorically. Orbison’s unique musical presence and vocal genius undeniably “changed the middle bit” of the Wilburys’ sound and dynamic during Volume 1. His absence would have profoundly altered their collective creative process.
The song continues with a powerful emotional core:
It’s getting hard to rhyme
Impossible to play
I’ve tried it many times
You took my breath away.
These lines resonate with the feeling of loss and the struggle to create in the absence of a vital creative force. “You took my breath away” becomes more than just a romantic phrase; it evolves into an expression of the profound impact Orbison had and the void his departure left. The subsequent lines, “One day when the sun is shining, There will be that silver lining,” offer a glimmer of hope amidst the melancholy, suggesting an eventual acceptance and healing.
While “Took My Breath Away” might not be immediately recognized as a quintessential Dylan song, his subtle influence can be detected in its lyrical nuances and emotional undercurrent. Dismissing the entire Volume 3 album, as Heylin does, might lead to overlooking gems like this one, which potentially holds deeper meaning than initially apparent.
The final verse further solidifies the interpretation of the song as a tribute:
I don’t know how to feel
This hasn’t been my day
Seems like I’ve lost a wheel
You took my breath away.
These lines capture the raw, disorienting feeling of grief. “You took my breath away” in this context is not an expression of admiration, but of being stunned and emotionally winded by loss. It’s a powerful and fitting elegy for a fallen comrade. “Took My Breath Away,” therefore, stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Roy Orbison on the Traveling Wilburys, subtly woven into the fabric of a seemingly simple, yet deeply emotive song.
