Isis is a folk‑rock composition written and performed by American singer‑songwriter Bob Dylan. The track was first released on Dylan’s 1976 studio album Desire.
Background and composition
- Writing and recording: Dylan wrote the song in early 1975. Recording sessions took place in January 1975 at Columbia Studios in New York City, with additional overdubs added later that year.
- Personnel: The recording features Dylan on vocals and acoustic guitar, with contributions from Emmylou Harris (backing vocals), Scarlet Rivera (violin), Tony Brown (bass), and other members of the ensemble that Dylan assembled for the Desire sessions.
- Production: The track was produced by Don DeVito in collaboration with Dylan.
Musical and lyrical characteristics
- Genre: Folk rock, with prominent violin lines that give the piece a distinctive melodic texture.
- Length: Approximately 6 minutes 33 seconds on the album version.
- Structure: The song follows a narrative lyric structure, employing a first‑person perspective to recount a myth‑inspired personal journey.
- Themes: Lyrically, “Isis” references the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis as a symbolic figure. The narrative describes a protagonist who leaves his wife, embarks on a quest, confronts danger, and ultimately returns, reflecting motifs of exile, redemption, and reunion.
Release and reception
- Album placement: Appearing as the ninth track on Desire, “Isis” contributed to the album’s critical acclaim and commercial success; Desire reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- Critical commentary: Music critics have highlighted the song’s storytelling qualities and its fusion of folk tradition with mythic imagery. It is often cited as a standout track on the album and a notable example of Dylan’s mid‑1970s lyrical style.
Live performances
- Tour history: Dylan has performed “Isis” live on several occasions, most prominently during his 1975–1976 Rolling Thunder Revue tour, where it was featured as a centerpiece of the setlist. Live recordings from this period appear on the official release Bob Dylan – The Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings (2019).
Legacy
- Cover versions: The song has been covered by various artists, including folk and rock performers who cite Dylan’s narrative approach as an influence.
- Cultural impact: “Isis” remains a frequently discussed track in scholarly analyses of Dylan’s work, particularly in studies examining the integration of mythic references into contemporary songwriting.
No additional notable songs titled “Isis” have been identified that meet the criteria for a separate encyclopedic entry under the singular term “Isis (song)”.