This iconic song is a beautiful piece of poetry that is full of descriptive detail and flowing rhymes that just capture the heart. The song was even covered on the Judas Priest album of 1977 Sin After Sin. The original piece is in F minor, featuring a wash of strings and guitars with sparse electronic textures thrown in as an invention of the seventies or one that record makers were just starting to adapt to their records. This song is about a phone call Baez received from a past lover who perhaps wanted to reconnect with her. It is said in the song that she gave him a pair of cuff-links and that the memories of their relationship (or relationships that have fallen) bring diamonds and rust.
The song is rumored to be about Baez’s relationship with Bob Dylan in the sixties. The intricacy of the songs lyrics and musical arrangement made the song a top 40 hit for Baez. It was regarded as one of her best compositions and has certainly stood the test of time.
At a concert commemorating Baez’s 75th birthday celebration, Baez performed this classic song alongside friend and fellow folk singer Judy Collins to a standing ovation. Baez was kind enough to share the spotlight and let Judy hit a high E-flat at the end while Baez hit the B-flat a fourth below on the last line: “If you’re offering me diamonds and rust, I’ve already paid.” It was a fabulous performance that is not soon forgotten. I am putting a link to the Youtube video posted on this performance. It is worth more than five or ten listens. It is your portal to decades gone by that is no more. It makes me wish that I was born in that decade because I prefer a life under rose-colored lenses.
