Jokerman album art

Jokerman

Bob Dylan
Infidels (1983)
Moderate 95 BPM
AI-analyzed — check another song
Share on X Facebook

Song DNA

Dynamic Range7/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Styledynamic vocals
Notes: Dylan's distinctive vocal delivery carries philosophical weight over a complex, mature arrangement that builds tension without jarring shifts. The production creates an introspective yet vivid sonic landscape.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksnone
Breathing Soundsmild
Repetitive Micro-soundsnone

A six-minute philosophical exploration of a morally ambiguous trickster figure, blending biblical imagery with secular themes and intricate poetic language.

affiliate links

Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: contemplative, intense, introspective, mysterious, reflective

Traditions: art rock, folk rock, rock

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 7/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: dynamic vocals.

Where this sits in Bob Dylan's catalog

We have 95 songs from Bob Dylan in the library. Of those, 29 are rated Safe, 60 Moderate, and 6 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 7/10 sits above the artist average of 5.4, making it the #19 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Infidels

We have 4 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans moderate in sensory profile.

1983 context

Released in 1983. We have 241 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.5/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1980s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
contemplative · 3297intense · 2409introspective · 5721mysterious · 13reflective · 5792
Traditions
art rock · 243folk rock · 224rock · 1459

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

Frequently asked about "Jokerman"

Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.

What is the sensory intensity of "Jokerman" by Bob Dylan?

"Jokerman" by Bob Dylan rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 7/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.

How loud is "Jokerman" — what is its dynamic range?

"Jokerman" has a dynamic range of 7/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.

Does "Jokerman" have sudden or surprising changes?

"Jokerman" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

What is "Jokerman" best for?

In our library "Jokerman" is recommended for: deep listening, emotional release, meditation, study. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.

When was "Jokerman" released?

"Jokerman" is from 1983, on the album "Infidels". It appears in our 1980s catalog.

What is the emotional mood of "Jokerman"?

We tag "Jokerman" as contemplative, intense, introspective, mysterious, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.

What is the vocal style of "Jokerman"?

The vocal style is dynamic vocals.

Should I listen to "Jokerman"?

"Jokerman" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

Last Call
Kanye West
moderate
DR 6
Bad
Michael Jackson
intense
DR 8
Chaise Longue
Wet Leg
moderate
DR 6
Preciosa
Marc Anthony
moderate
DR 7
Dancing with Our Hands Tied
Taylor Swift
moderate
DR 6
Oblivion
Astor Piazzolla
safe
DR 6

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2
Frédéric Chopin safe
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan safe
It's Too Late
Carole King safe
If I Were a Boy
Beyoncé safe
I Contain Multitudes
Bob Dylan safe

What this song means to people

No stories yet. Be the first.

Share what this song means to you

Keep exploring

Queen Jane Approximately
Bob Dylan moderate
I Contain Multitudes
Bob Dylan safe
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Bob Dylan safe
Version of the Truth
Squirrel Flower moderate
Shaking Hell
Sonic Youth intense
San Vicente
Milton Nascimento moderate
← All Bob Dylan songs    Check another song →