We never did too much talkin’ anyway/
But don’t think twice, it’s all right.

In “Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright)” Dylan has come to the end of another relationship. He is trying to pass it off like he doesn’t hurt—don’t worry about it, don’t think twice. But we get the feeling that it might be more meaningful to him than he lets on. The relationship was very sexual. There are several illusions to that in “Don’t Think Twice”. But there is also the interesting line: “I gave her my heart, but she wanted my soul.” That is a great Dylan line. So, he was clearly emotionally invested.

He also expresses a desire for her to chase after him, or for her to be more hurt about the breakup. We get the feeling that she won’t think twice and that is what got him to think about the title of the song.

The melody of the song is traditional, so if it sounds like you might have heard it before, it is possible. However, by now, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice” is the standard. This is very early Dylan, and we can hear that his voice sounds very clear and almost as good as it ever did.  Note the clarity of his guitar picking. We can tell he is an above-average acoustic guitar player: he strikes the individual strings cleanly while singing and maintaining the rhythm. That is not easy.

Dylan does spiteful breakup songs better than anyone. Here we get just a hint of his true feelings. The message of “Don’t Think Twice” is delivered in a very passive-aggressive manner. Whereas he is thinking “Screw you bitch” it comes out “we never did too much talkin anyway/ but don’t think twice it’s all right.”

Don’t Think Twice Lyrics

It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
When your rooster crows at the breaks of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m traveling on

Don’t think twice, it’s all right

It ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
And it ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin’ you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway

So don’t think twice, it’s all right
It ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never done before
It ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
I can’t hear you any more
I’m a-thinking and a-wond’rin’ walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I’m told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul

Don’t think twice, it’s all right
So long honey, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
Goodbye’s too good a word, babe
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don’t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right

written by Bob Dylan