Who is Joey in Bob Dylan's Song?

The song “Joey” by Bob Dylan is about the life and death of Joe Gallo, a real-life mobster who was killed on his birthday at Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy, on April 7, 1972. The song was written by Dylan and Jacques Levy, who collaborated with Dylan on most of the songs on the album Desire.

The song tells the story of Gallo’s early life, his rise to power in the Mafia, and his eventual downfall. Dylan paints a complex picture of Gallo, simultaneously portraying him as a violent criminal and a charismatic leader. He suggests that he was a master of his own fate, but that his fate was ultimately determined by his own actions.

Biographical Sketch: “Joey” is essentially a biographical song that paints a portrait of Joey Gallo. Dylan describes Joey’s background, his rise within the mafia, and his reputation as a feared and ruthless figure in the criminal underworld.

Complex Character Study: The song doesn’t glorify Joey but rather presents a complex character study. Dylan explores Joey’s motivations, his sense of honor, and his inner conflict. It’s not a one-dimensional portrayal; it shows the humanity and contradictions within this notorious figure.

Injustice and Betrayal: The song suggests that Joey felt betrayed by his own associates in the mafia and may have been set up for an assassination. Dylan’s lyrics hint at a sense of injustice and treachery, adding to the tragic elements of the story.

Reflection on Crime and Consequences: “Joey” can also be seen as a reflection on the consequences of a life of crime. It doesn’t romanticize the mafia lifestyle but rather underscores the violence, betrayals, and inevitable downfall that often accompany it.

Narrative and Storytelling: Like many of Dylan’s songs, “Joey” is a narrative-driven piece. It tells a story with characters, plot developments, and a sense of place. Dylan’s storytelling prowess is on full display in this song.

Here are some of the lines from the song that have been interpreted in different ways:

“Joey, Joey, king of the streets, child of clay” – This line suggests that Gallo was both powerful and vulnerable, a man who was both feared and loved.
“He was a man of contradictions, a man of violence and peace” – This line highlights the complexity of Gallo’s character, showing that he was capable of both good and evil.
“He was a victim of the system, a victim of his own ambition” – This line suggests that Gallo was a product of his environment, a man who was shaped by the circumstances of his life.
“He was a man of his time, a man of his place” – This line suggests that Gallo was a man of his era, a product of the social and political conditions of the time.

“Joey”

Born in Red Hook Brooklyn in the year of who knows when
Opened up his eyes to the tune of an accordion
Always on the outside whatever side there was
When they asked him why it had to be that way “Well” he answered “just because”.

Larry was the oldest Joey was next to last
They called Joe “Crazy” the baby they called “Kid Blast”
Some say they lived off gambling and running numbers too
It always seemed they got caught between the mob and the men in blue.