By Brett Stewart
“The first time
that I heard Bob Dylan I was in the car with my mother, and we were listening
to, I think, maybe WMCA, and on came that snare shot that sounded like somebody
kicked open the door to your mind, from 'Like a Rolling Stone.”
– Bruce Springsteen inducting Bob Dylan into
the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten comments like
“Why on earth do you listen to Bob Dylan?! He can’t even sing!” Or, “What’s so
great about his music?” The most upsetting moment is when a kid my age is
completely oblivious of him in the first place.
I’m writing this article to explain to my generation and
those who don’t understand, just why Bob Dylan is so popular and will remain as
a cultural icon forever.
1. Lyrics
This will always be the first on the list with anything
regarding Dylan. Dylan is the debatably the strongest lyricist and poet in rock
and roll… ever. His masterpieces like ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, ‘Visions of Johanna’,
and ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ are among a massive four decade long catalog of
lyrical gold. Even his weaker pieces like ‘Hurricane’ make our generation’s
“lyricists” work look like Hallmark valentine cards.
The convicting and accusing question of “How does it feel?”
rocked the entire musical world forever. In fact, I can’t even explain his
lyrics.
“Darkness at the break of noon,
shadows even the silver spoon, the handmade blade, the child’s balloon,
eclipses both the sun and moon, to understand you know too soon, there’s no
sense in trying.” It’s magic. (And don’t say its drugs; try to get a
pothead write poetic beauty like that.)
I think the 'Don't Think Twice It's Alright' is the most beautiful song ever written. See video above.
2. The Electric Switch
When Dylan went electric, the entire world was either
overjoyed or just pissed off. When he played ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ at the Newport
Folk Festival he got booed off stage… but this moment changed the history of
music. Dylan went electric and everyone else followed.
3. Post Electric Switch Trilogy
In the early 60’s Dylan was big on protest songs. ‘Blowing
in the Wind’ became the poster song for the civil rights movement. When he
switched electric, he had a three album trilogy of musical transformation. ‘Bringing
it all Back Home,’ ‘Highway 61 Revisited,’ and ‘Blonde on Blonde.” These three
albums are the foundation for rock and roll, and they’re just plain awesome.
Tracks like ‘Ballad of a Thin Man,’ ‘Highway 61 Revisited,’ and my personal
favorite, ‘Maggie’s Farm’ changed the way we rock.
4. Reincarnations
Dylan’s music is different than any other artist of his
time, or of any time. It doesn’t die or fade away. It changes. Dylan has
reincarnated himself into a different person and artist half a dozen times
throughout his career.
5. Budokan
The 1979 album ‘Bob Dylan At Budokan’ is either praised as a
musical masterpiece or a total P.O.S. However you feel about it, it doesn’t
change the fact that an artist took 22 of his hit songs and made them a different genre. The album is
basically a soul and reggae album. On its own merit, the album is outstanding.
6. It’s just good and there’s a LOT of it.
I look at my generation’s music, and it sucks. Some of it is
okay or pretty good, but the vast majority of it sucks. Dylan is the refreshing
light at the end of the tunnel. Not only does he have dozens of remarkable
songs, he has a dozen versions of each one of those songs. He’s released over
40 albums. The Dylan catalog is vast and never ceases to entertain me. There’s
always something interesting in it.
My suggestion to my generation? After you are done with this
article, watch the videos in it. Get rid of the concept that it isn’t Party
Rock, it’s meaningful. Just… listen to it. Get past the immediate impression that
Dylan “can’t sing” and look onto WHAT he’s singing. And I promise, you’ll end
up liking his voice anyway.
Oh, and then go on Spotify and listen to the catalog. Pick
random songs. You’ll find something, trust me.
Except stay away from "The Witmark Demos" and "Live 1964." I can't defend that crap... no idea what he was thinking.
No comments:
Post a Comment