What is so great about Bob Dylan?

Question

I have to admit, as embarrassing as it is, I have not read or even listened to much of his work, (I know a few popular songs) but I've heard a lot about him from teachers and professors. So what is great about this guy? I've heard him sing, and I'm not going to make any comments. Apparently he's more known for his lyrics and writing which is why I'm asking here. Is his writing any good? Can someone maybe post a sample poem of his? Thanks?

Answer 1

Well, when Dylan became popular in the early 60's, there was really nobody like him before. He did folk music, but wrote all his own songs. Before that, ppl just recycled and sang old folk songs. On top of that, he wrote a lot of "political" songs that fit so perfectly for the political climate and culture at that time. Although he denies being a topical songwriter, many people believe his early work was.

He wrote "Blowing in the Wind" which was essentially the theme song for the Civil Rights Movement. If you read the lyrics of Blowing in the Wind, and try to put yourself in that time era and be there at a rally for civil rights, you will get goosebumps just thinking how a young 20 year old jewish boy from Minnesota could write such moving lyrics.

That was just the tip of the iceberg. So many of his songs touch SO many peoples lives. They are deep and meaningful and although many people dont like his voice, when he sings his songs, you feel it in his soul with the voice he has...

He was modest and didnt like all the attention given to him by leftist politicians.



He literally was a voice for his generation. He wrote songs that really captured the mindset of young people in that generation, and on top of that, his songs are timeless. You can listen to any of his songs today and relate to it.



Anyway..

here are a few of my favorite videos of him from youtube

This one is of him talking to a reporter. Yes, he was an *** to the reporter but everything he says is exactly what he says to this day at age 67... his whole attitude to the world hasnt changed since then...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pR8YuIGqWi4&feature=related



This clip is a perfect example of his genius and how his mind worked... just loooking at words he can jumble them up into different sentences...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3eiASBBuFso&feature=related



This one I just find HILARIOUS! he is yelling at someone while he is drunk... this video is charming in my opinion lol

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DZuD8NwX_eY&feature=related



I love this performance of his "like a rolling stone" when he went electric... amazing performer!! he has a lot of passion in this performance

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xO0gSJGJ7Fs&feature=related



anyway i guess i could post every single last video of him and i would have a reason for them all to be my favorite :)



lol one last video actually is part 1 of a press conference he did back in '65... i found it charming and funny as well...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AjqBc7XCVsM



Hope you like my info and you get a little more of a sense of why he is so special and a living legend :)



btw... i'm 23, so I think (since you mentioned professors in your question) around the same age as you... or same generation at least... so this is someone from your age groups perspective on the great bob dylan :)

Answer 2

Bob Dylan's songs are interesting poetic

stories and some are quite long.

I can't think of one off hand that doesn't rhyme.

In the sixties his songs were thought of as anti war and comforted many people with clever lyrics and intricate melodies.

Bob Dylan however wrote from his heart and was not intending to be a spokesman for war.

He was quoted "I always thought of myself as a song and dance man"



I cannot think of any musician who has songs more covered by any other musician.



new movie about Bob "I'm not there"

(I haven't seen it yet, comes to DVD in May.)

(good first Bob CD to intoduce you to "Blood on the tracks")





"I Shall Be Released" by Bob Dylan



They say everything can be replaced,

Yet every distance is not near.

So I remember every face

Of every man who put me here.



CHORUS

I see my light come shining

from the west unto to the east

Any day now, any day now I shall be released.



They say every man needs protection,

They say every man must fall.

Yet I swear I see my reflection

Some place so high above this wall.



CHORUS



Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,

Is a man who swears he's not to blame.

All day long I hear him shout so loud,

Crying out that he was framed.



CHORUS



Jimi Hendrix covered "All along the watchtower"

Answer 3

I like Bob Dylan's music a lot but yes his lyrics do form a great part of his music. They are simple, prophetic and beautiful!

Very recently, he is in the news for being considered for a Pulitzer Prize!



Check out the lyrics for any of his famous songs - 'Blowin in the Wind', 'The Times they are a changing' and 'Mr.Tambourine' to get a taste of his lyrics.



And then go back and listen to him singing. Hope you appreciate it better!

Answer 4

For his generation, he was a special voice that still echoes today. You might want to check either A&E, The History Channel, or Discovery, one of them did a documentary on his life. Very informative, it shows the real and fictionalized versions of this man. Also, look at the body of his work and see how many have been covered by other artists. Jimmy Paiges "Watch Tower" was a cover of Dylan.