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Speaking of Mr Dylan, I know he’s very respected by a plethora of musicians and has a very loyal fan base, but I know nothing of the man and his music.
If I had to listen to just three Dylan songs to gain an appreciation, what would they be?
Bob Dylan Sing Dr Seuss
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1. Mr. Tambourine Man
2. Blowin’ in the Wind
3. You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Asking for three Bob Dylan songs is a bit like asking for three bible verses in all of scripture. Anyway, now I’ll explain why I chose these three:
Mr. Tambourine Man
When he exploded onto the scene in the 1960s, he was the “voice of a generation” and singularly articulated the emotions of millions of people. Amazing. But it wasn’t just because he said what they thought and felt, it was because he did it with such unparalleled poetry. Read the lyrics of this song; it’s some of the best poetry in history. “to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free, silhouetted by the sea…”
Blowin’ in the Wind
This song was the birth of Postmodernity. Enough said.
You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
Casual Dylan listeners wouldn’t include this song in their definitive history of the man. But you asked for three songs that will help you gain appreciation, so, I’m including it. It is from his quintessential album “Blood on the Tracks”, which he wrote during/after his divorce. This song is simply the best breakup song ever written. Sorry to go all hyperbolic on you, but when pop culture says something is “the best ever” about something, they are blowing smoke. Bob Dylan REALLY IS the best ever. Listen to this song over and over until it drowns out everything else you’ve ever heard….
I agree with Nathan, how do we narrow down these songs…Bob Dylan is greatness, but not in the musical sense. Moreso as the author of the times he’s lived through.
To get a great idea of the feelings in the 60’s listen to, “The Times they are a’changing” This song will give you a heartbeat of an entire generation!
Then “Things have Changed”, written in the 90’s is a great song about this same generation 3 decades removed. Kinda sad, if you really compare the two songs.
Bob Dylan songs are an aquired taste, but with time you’ll get the deeper meaning in each song.
Great insights, littlepastor. I agree that this music is “an acquired taste” – his singing obviously sucks and the studio production is generally one-take recording. But to me that’s part of the beauty of it. It helps the listener focus on the genius of the lyrics instead of the snazziness of the “product”, a concept which will seem quite foreign to the American Idol generation(s).