Bob Dylan turning 67!
Posted at 9:36 AM on May 23, 2008
by Bill DeVille
(35 Comments)
That fellow from Hibbing, Bob Dylan is turning 67 on Saturday. We thought it would be fun to play 67 songs over the course of this holiday weekend to celebrate...since it's a little difficult to eat cake through your radio speaker. So we'll be playing a Dylan song every hour until sometime on Monday. I was enlisted with the difficult task of compiling the list of tunes. Thanks to my colleagues for all the fantastic suggestions. Actually the task wasn't that difficult because of Dylan's body of work. His music touches on 5 decades w/plenty of highs and even a few lows. (Self Portrait, Street Legal)
If you think about it what other artists besides the Beatles & the Stones have a body of work as impressive and full of GREAT songs as Dylan?
I think my favorite Bob Dylan song is, "Mozambique" from his very underrated DESIRE album. I just love that gypsy fiddle and those Emmy Lou Harris harmonies! What it your favorite Dylan song?
Comments (35)
Favorite Dylan song?
"Most of the Time"
From "Oh Mercy"
Favorite Dylan song? Just one?
Well, there are live versions of Heart of Mine and You're a Big Girl Now from Biograph that are classics. Shooting Star from Oh Mercy captures those emotions of love and loss better than most any song.
The list goes on and on. It's like buckets of rain. All them great song coming out of our ears.
I find it really intriging how people from Minnesota try and claim Bob Dylan. I just heard the host say "My paraent weren't from around here, so they did not listen to Bob Dylan." That statement is soooo ignorant. People form Bob's hometown did not like him, he was an awkawd Jewish kid, and there are not many Jews in Minnesota, that did not conform to the Scananavian norm here. He dropped out of school and left Minnesota at 16 (I think). He learned his craft in NY City. The ONLY thing Minnesota gave Bob was the motivation to leave and seek out his art. Bob is as much from Minnesota as he is from anwhere else. In fact, in terms of his music, Bob Dylan is from Grenwich Village, New York City. HE HATED GROWING UP HERE! And the host is going to say, "my parent weren't from around here, so they did not listen to Bob." Your parents not being from around here, actually, probably raised the liklihood that theuy WOULD listen to Bob.
Sorry for the spelling errors. I just had it when people try and distort history.
Street Legal isn't all bad.
Changing of the Guards and Senor are both Dylan classics, in my opinion.
But yeah, not one of his best ones.
There are too many great Dylan songs to even name "my favorites," so here are my 10 favorite Dylan albums (not necessarily in this order):
Desire, John Wesley Harding, Blood on the Tracks, Highway 61 Revisited, Bringing it All Back Home, Infidels, Oh Mercy, Slow Train Coming, and The Times They Are a-Changin', and Time Out of Mind
Oddball list, I know, but there you go!
Sorry that my comment rubbed you the wrong way, Peter. I just assumed that people from The Twin Cities were listening to Dylan back in 60's and 70's moreso than my parents.
i've always heard that dylan didn't hate minnesota, it was just that it didn't provide the opportunity for what he was tryin' to achieve (which was to emulate woody and continue his legacy). the albums that best signify dylan's emotional and lyrical prowess have to be freewheelin', 61 revisted, blonde on blonde (gotta love the mercury sound on lad eyed lady), blood on the tracks (if you see her), and desire. not that the trio of his last studio CDs are less effective, but he definetly captured the times with his singin' prior to his deep, rough vocals beginnin' with time out of mind. you could throw infidels in there as well, it shows how he established longevity by never conformin' or stayin' with one distinct sound.
Yeah, there are some great tunes off of Street Legal...New Pony is my fav. Also, the lyrics from Journey Through The Dark Heat are pretty interesting....
As for a favorite song...geez, I guess the one that made me fall in love with Dylan is Tangled up in Blue. I just love those 'story' songs that he has so many of. But up near the top of the list there has to be Isis, Dont Think Twice, Its Alright, and Cold Irons Bound. All of those, very different sounds. But thats what is so great about Dylan. There is an album and a sound for every kind of mood you might be in. Dylan is always a great choice.
To Peter Azzi:
Your recount of Bob Dylan "not liking being from here" might be accurate, but that does not mean that Minnesotans did not like him. He has been extremely popular here ever since the beginning of his music career at the U of M.
He is from here, whether he likes it or not; and he has many fans and followers here, whether he likes it or not. He will always be a Minnesota music legend. Him and Prince.
My favorites:
"The Man In Me"
"The Hurricane"
"Stuck Inside Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again"
"The Mighty Quinn"
"Lay Lady Lay"
"Jokerman" and "Sundown on the Union" from his Infidels album are just as relevent now as they were in the 80's when he wrote them about the "Gipper". Other notables: "A Hard Rains a Gonna Fall" live version on one of the cities 97 sampler CD's, "Seven Curses" on one of the bootleg CD's, "Isis" live version from Rolling Thunder Revue. And so many more.
Peter, you seem like you are trying pretty hard to present yourself as a Dylan biographer, which ironically seems like you are trying to claim Bob Dylan yourself???? Chill out man. It's about the music isn't it?
Come on, Peter. The Current is celebrating Bob Dylan's birthday because he's a great songwriter, not just because he's from Minnesota.
My favorites are "Like a Rolling Stone," "Positively 4th Street," "Shelter from the Storm" and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." I'm really enjoying the hourly dose of Dylan and can't wait to hear more!
Peter-
You are distorting Dylan's history as well. He learned his craft at the U of M, then took it to New York. He still has a home in MN. Must not hate Minnesota that much, since he comes back here to do concerts almost every year.
My favorite Dylan song varies from month to month. I love "Visions of Johanna" and "4th Time Around" off Blonde on Blonde. Also love "Just like Tom Thumb's Blues" off Highway 61 Revisted.
Peter-
To use the term "claim" indicates there is some falsity in statements that Dylan's origins are here. This is, of course, undoubtedly false. Moreover, in addition to the excellent comments indicating the issues with that statement made by others, he came back to record his arguably piece de resistance--Blood on the Tracks.
You Ain't Going Nowhere is absolutely fantastic and vintage Dylan. Don't Think Twice is an extremely close second.
Happy Birthday BD.
By far my favorite Bob Dylan song has to be "Masters of War", it is just a timeless anti-war song that rings even more true today than back when it was recorded.
"Shelter from the Storm" - since I first heard it played at the "Blue Angel" talent show at St. Mary's Univ in Winona by a fellow student. Bought the album...11 concerts and about 25 albums later, I am still hooked. Happy Birthday, Bob. Thanks for the thought-provoking and timeless lyrics.
Dylan has created his persona despite where he grew up not because of it. Dylan felt something about some "odd" music he stumbled upon on the radio. His love and curiosity for this music drove him to seek it out in New York's early folk scene and by befriending an almost forgotten Woody Guthrie (whom he modeled himself after).
My favorite songs are "This Land is Your Land" because it shows Dylans discovery and identification with American Music and "Maggies Farm" because it shows the the next extension of American Music.
Dylan's greatness lies in his love of American Music and his courage to play it despite the cost.
I gotta go with "motorpsycho nightmare" from another side of bob dylan, its a perfect example of his fertile imagination and story-telling. I dont think Peter ever listened to "girl of the north country" or the whole album the freewheelin bob dylan for that matter.
"Simple Twist of Fate" it is so sad and yet so beautiful...the search for the "one" you "think" is your match...never knowing if they are still out there!
Hands down!
"It's alright Ma I'm only bleeding"
Buckets of Rain!
Sweetheart Like You from Infidels.
Usually its "It's All Over Now Baby Blue", but sometimes its "Love Minus Zero" or "It Ain't Me Babe". I like the cunning, mid-60s Dylan best.
Tangled up in Blue is my fav, but I am currently intoxicated by the live version of 'Visions of Johanna' recorded at his famous 'Judas!' concert in England when he was going electric. I think the song is perfect and damn near religious.
When Bob got the Pulitzer they credited him for the power of his poetry. Amen! And happy birthday Bob!
I Think Tomorrow is a Long Time is my favourite love ballad for its words and its sound.
A simplistic, but poignant extract of a mans love for a lady.
This song makes my spine tingle when I hear it. Just beautiful.
Every record of his I have heard has a gem or three - but one of the four sides (vinyl version) of "Greatest Hits, Vol II" has three irrestible songs in a row:
-"When I Paint my Masterpiece"
- A rollcking version of "I Shall Be Released"
- a terrific "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere"
Also, on that same side I think (I first hard it on vinyl) is "Tomorrow is a Long Time" and "Down in the Flood", also two worthy songs.
I think that may be my favorite run of songs on any record ever, and I am not a real Dylan devotee. It will reward you if you check it out -- the record is a double CD or two vinly records and has a bluish cover.
-
i have five, for my mom and i write our top five dylan songs whenever we go on road trips which is quite frequently. Not in any order.
1) hard rains gonna fall
2) girl from the north country
3) lonesome death of hattie carroll
4) spanish harlem incident
5) gates of eden
Hi folks!
I'm sure I'm going to write too much here, but this is just too sweet a discussion not to contribute my little thoughts. I love Bob Dylan so much--I'm glad the Current has reminded me that his birthday is here!
I'm pretty anal-retentive about upkeep on my iTunes statistics, so, according to playcount, here are my five favorite Dylan songs of all-time:
1) Lay Lady Lay--from Nashville Skyline, another underrated album. I always laugh at myself for this somewhat cliched choice, but at the same time, an ex-girlfriend and I once shared a deep affinity for this song, and its truly a beautiful song about love, so it makes sense.
2) Time Passes Slowly--again from an underrated disc, New Morning. Also from Biograph. I live in Alaska now, so to hear Dylan singing about the mountains in such a plaintive voice is heavenly.
3) Girl from the North Country--because I'm from North Dakota, neighbors :-)
4) Like a Rolling Stone--my guess is that this is the Dylan song no one says no to.
5) Idiot Wind--from Blood on the Tracks. I just like how mad Bobby D. gets here, rallying against the stupidities of our sad humanity (stupidities for which he too is culpable, the lyrics reveal). I like to scream along sometimes.
There are so many others, though: "It Takes a Lot to Laugh...", "Abandoned Love," "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." I truly believe the man has made a GREAT album in every decade since the 60s, and every single album since Oh Mercy in 1989 has been fantastic. He likes to tour baseball stadiums, hangs out with Victoria's Secret models, and simply seems attuned to the essense of the human condition. For all these reasons I love him.
To weigh in on conversation here a little, I too think Dylan likes being from Minnesota, ultimately. His biography doesn't really say anything negative (if I remember correctly), and the song lyrics seem to suggest a fondness, as well. Lately my favorite Dylan discovery has been "Went to See the Gypsy," and the song ends with an elated-sounding Dylan singing, "And that pretty dancing girl / she could not be found. So I watched the sun come rising / from a little Minnesota town / from a little Minnesota town!" It seems a loving sentiment, to me.
My apologies for writing so much! Best to all of you, fellow fans and friends!
Bob Dylan did not drop out of high school at the age of 16! He graduated and left for Minneapolis and hung out on the college campus staying with his cousin at the frat house. He left for New York City after a few months.
And there is no such thing as a "best Bob Dylan song."
My favorite is "Subterainian Homesickness Blues".
I'm only 15, and Dylan/the band is my dad's favorite so I've grown up on it.
I also love his "angry" songs. "Idiot Wind" and "Positively 4th Street" are filled with emotion and you can feel Dylan's anger.
This has been an awsome weekend! Thanks for all the entries. It's especially cool that this is happening over the holiday weekend when everyone is supposed to be at their cabin!
Hey Bill,
Maybe play something from his basement tapes or other bootlegs. How about "I'm Not There" from the movie's soundtrack.
Other Favorites:
In the Summertime (Shot of Love)
From a Buick Six (Highway 61 Revisited)
High Water Everywhere, for Charlie Patton (Love And Theft)
To everyone bickering about Dylan's history, who cares! The man makes great music, stop the analysis and just throw on a great record!
Lately I've been compulsively listening to "Love Sick." This song is so emotionally evocative...who among us hasn't felt this way, at some point dreary point or another?
I'm walking through streets that are dead /
Walking, walking with you in my head /
My feet are so tired, my brain is so wired /
And the clouds are weeping /
Did I hear someone tell a lie? /
Did I hear someone's distant cry? /
I spoke like a child; you destroyed me with a smile /
While I was sleeping /
I'm sick of love but I'm in the thick of it /
This kind of love I'm so sick of it /
I see, I see lovers in the meadow /
I see, I see silhouettes in the window /
I watch them 'til they're gone and they leave me hanging on /
To a shadow /
I'm sick of love; I hear the clock tick /
This kind of love; I'm love sick /
Sometimes the silence can be like the thunder /
Sometimes I wanna take to the road and plunder /
Could you ever be true? /
I think of you /
And I wonder /
I'm sick of love; I wish I'd never met you /
I'm sick of love; I'm trying to forget you /
Just don't know what to do /
I'd give anything to /
Be with you
I love the way Dylan sings the words "I wish I'd never met you" with such guttural vitriol. Oh man! I believe him. Talk about "owning" your lyrics.
Hey Current DJs! Any chance of hearing "Love Sick" later today? :)
I think "To Ramona" from "Another Side of Bob Dylan" is an incredible song, along with "Boots of Spanish Leather," from "The Times They are A-Changing". Other favourites are "Mama You've been on my Mind," - Bootleg Series, and "One More Cup of Coffee" from "Desire".
The beauty of Dylans music is that I'm constantly discovering new gems as I myself get older and change.
Finally. You guys finally played my favorite Dylan song, "Desolation Row." It was a long birthday weekend, with some questionable, and some fantastic choices, and things ended on a high, solid, resonate note.
Thank you, Bill Deville! I couldn't listen all weekend--because I was celebrating Bob Dylan's birthday in Hibbing for Dylan Days. It was four days of FAB everything Dylan. It was fun hearing stories about Dylan as a teen-ager from some of his friends and from his English teacher, B.J. Rolfson. The singer-songwriter contest Friday night at Zimmy's produced an 18-year-old winner from Illinois--Danny Fox. He sounded great doing Dylan's song--and the one he wrote. Danny opened Saturday night for Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover.
When I was in the Cities and able to get the station, The Current introduced me to some songs I hadn't heard before. This was such a wonderful idea! Thank you for honoring one of our own living legends!
A favorite song is an impossibility--and the list is continually changing. The story songs are so fascinating. LILY, ROSEMARY AND THE JACK OF HEARTS; THINGS HAVE CHANGED--but also MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE; I'LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT; BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER; YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME LONESOME WHEN YOU GO--the list is endless.
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