Diamonds & Rust – Joan Baez

“Diamonds & Rust” is one of Joan Baez’s most powerful and personal songs, released in 1975 on the album of the same name. Unlike much of her earlier work, which often leaned toward traditional folk and socially conscious themes, this track is intensely autobiographical. Baez wrote it about her relationship with Bob Dylan, reflecting on their romance and the bittersweet emotions that lingered years later. The song has a confessional tone, and its lyrics are filled with vivid imagery that blends fondness, regret, irony, and a touch of bitterness. It stands out as a mature work from Baez, showcasing both vulnerability and strength.

The song’s title itself, Diamonds & Rust, suggests the contrast between beauty and decay, permanence and corrosion—fitting metaphors for love that was once brilliant but has since weathered with time. In the lyrics, Baez recalls the unexpected phone call from Dylan that stirs up old memories, some glowing like diamonds, others tarnished like rust. Her ability to weave personal recollection with universal emotion is what makes the song resonate so deeply; it’s at once about her specific experience and about the universal ache of remembering a love that has ended.

Musically, “Diamonds & Rust” represents a departure from Baez’s more stripped-down folk style, featuring fuller instrumentation with electric guitar, giving it a folk-rock edge. This choice amplifies the song’s emotional intensity. Baez’s voice, known for its purity and clarity, carries a hushed, almost resigned tone here, which underscores the vulnerability of the subject matter. The song became a defining moment in her career, praised for its lyrical sophistication and emotional honesty.

Beyond its autobiographical roots, “Diamonds & Rust” has lived on as a classic because of its universality. It speaks to anyone who has revisited a past love, balancing nostalgia with the painful realization that some things cannot be reclaimed. Many listeners, even without knowing its connection to Dylan, find themselves drawn to its melancholy truth. Over the years, it has been covered by artists in genres ranging from folk to heavy metal—most famously by Judas Priest—demonstrating the timeless power of Baez’s songwriting.