Dylan started his musical odyssey in 1959 when he began playing in Dinkytown, Minneapolis while attending the University of Minnesota. Shortly after starting to play he changed his stage name to Bob Dylan, after being influenced by the poetry of Dylan Thomas before legally changing his name in 1962.
Much of his best known work is from the 1960s, when he became an informal documentarian and reluctant figurehead of American unrest, promoted by Joan Baez. Some of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements, with Joan Baez and Dylan singing together at the March on Washington in 1963. However he later became disenchanted with the civil liberty protest scene, feeling that he had been used by them.
His album Bringing It All Back Home marked a move away from the folk scene and a move towards rock and roll and Dylan began to consciously distance himself from his early association with civil rights. He also started to become irritated when being interviewed, often given facetious or irreverent answers to questions. Bringing It All Back Home was a controversial album as it the first on which he played electric guitar. This was seen by some of his fans as a betrayal of this folk roots, with some saying that it obscured his meaningful and poetic lyrics.
The second half of the 1960s was marked by a string of well received releases, with his song "Like a Rolling Stone", released in July of 1965, later being named "The Greatest Song of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine in 2004, placing #1 in a list of 500 titles. It also marked the formation of Dylan's backing band The Hawks (who would later call themselves simply The Band). Dylan embarked on a world tour of Australia and Europe in 1966, during which he seemed to be under a lot of strain and pressure by both his fans, the music press and his own promoters. Dylan himself admitted that he began taking drugs seriously whilst on this tour, and found it immensely hard work. On returning to New York he crashed his motorbike, sustaining serious injuries in the process, and went into a period of withdrawal while he recuperated. During the late 1960s, Dylan again changed stylistic tradition, moving away from the psychedelic culture of the time. It was then that he recorded All Along the Watchtower, perhaps more famously recorded by Jimi Hendrix.
The 1970s were a period during which Dylan was more sporadic in his output, releasing some poorly received LPs. He rarely appeared in person until 1974, when he began touring again with his backing band The Band. He also wrote one of his most extensively covered songs, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, as well as what is now recognised as one of his best albums Blood On The Tracks. Towards the end of the 1970s, Dylan discovered Christ, and released some albums of gospel music. He started to talk to the crowd about his faith during his performances, and wouldn't play any of his early work, which alienated some of his previous fans.
Dylan today still remains an influential and popular artist; despite a period of little note between 1980-2000, his 2006 album Modern Times reached the US chart at #1, as did his 2009 album Together Through Life, in the US, Britain, France and several other countries. His 2012 album Tempest was also critically acclaimed. Since 1988, Dylan has been on the so-called Never Ending Tour, during which his performances have provoked controversy, with some critics claiming that his lyrics have become incomprehensible, an experience which is not helped by his tendency to change his set-list and vocals almost every performance.
Bob Dylan's strong influence over the past few years is becoming even more prominent amongst a growing group of younger emerging artists such as George Ellias and Devendra Banhart. Dylan's early lyrics incorporated politics, social commentary, philosophy and literary influences, defying existing pop music conventions and appealing widely to the counterculture of the time. While expanding and personalizing musical styles, Dylan has shown steadfast devotion to traditions of American song, from folk and country/blues to rock and roll and rockabilly, to Gaelic balladry, even jazz, swing and Broadway.
Dylan performs with the guitar, keyboard and harmonica. Backed by a changing lineup of musicians, he has toured steadily since the late 1980s. He has also recently performed alongside other iconic artists, such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and Eric Clapton. Although his contributions as a performer and recording artist have been central to his career, his songwriting is generally held as his highest accomplishment.
Nobel Prize for Literature (2016) - On October 13, 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. The prestigious award has been given annually since 1901 and previous Nobel Laureates for Literature include Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett. Here is the speech written by Dylan, although unable to attend:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/arts/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-acceptance-speech.html?_r=0
01 bob dylan
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are ridin' down the line
Fixin' everybody's troubles
Everybody's except mine
Someone musta told them that I was doin' fine
Oh, you five-and-ten cent women
With nothin' in your heads
Lord, I'll love her till I'm dead
Go away from my door and my window, too
Right now
Lord, I ain't goin' down to no race track
See no sports car run
I don't have no sports car
And I don't even care to have one
I can walk anytime around the block
Well, the wind keeps a-blowin' me
Up and down the street
With my hat in my hand
And my boots on my feet
Watch out so you don't step on me
Well, lookit here buddy
You want to be like me?
Pull out your six-shooter
And rob every bank you can see
Tell the judge I said it was all right
Yes
The first verse of Bob Dylan's song, "Bob Dylan 01," speaks to the loneliness that the singer feels despite the efforts of The Lone Ranger and Tonto to fix everyone else's troubles. The use of these characters, who are deeply ingrained in American popular culture, adds a layer of complexity to the song. Dylan likely chose these characters because they are seen as heroes, but it is clear that they are not able to solve the singer's problems. The singer seems to be struggling with some sort of inner turmoil that cannot be fixed simply by the actions of others.
The second verse is a critique of "five-and-ten cent women" who have "nothing in their heads." Dylan is likely referring to women who are superficial and materialistic, who care only about money and status. The singer contrasts this with his own love for a "real gal" who he will love until he dies. He then tells the women to "go away" from his door and window, indicating that he wants nothing to do with them. The third verse continues this theme of rejecting materialism, with the singer saying that he has no interest in going to a race track to see sports cars. He is content with what he has, and can even walk around the block without needing any fancy vehicles.
The final verse is perhaps the most enigmatic, with the singer telling someone to "pull out your six-shooter and rob every bank you can see." He then tells them to "tell the judge I said it was all right." This can be interpreted in a number of ways, but it suggests a certain nihilistic streak in the singer. He seems to be advocating for anarchy and breaking of social norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the Lone Ranger and Tonto
Two fictional characters from the Western folklore.
They are ridin' down the line
They are travelling on horseback down a certain path.
Fixin' everybody's troubles
Helping everyone with their problems.
Everybody's except mine
Sadly, not helping with my troubles.
Someone musta told them that I was doin' fine
Perhaps they thought I was doing okay and didn't require assistance.
Oh, you five-and-ten cent women
Addressing women who aren't wealthy or sophisticated.
With nothin' in your heads
Suggesting that they have no intellectual depth or substance.
I got a real gal I'm lovin'
I have a genuine woman whom I love.
Lord, I'll love her till I'm dead
I will love her for the rest of my life.
Go away from my door and my window, too
Please leave my vicinity.
Right now
Without any delay.
Lord, I ain't goin' down to no race track
I have no interest in going to a race track.
See no sports car run
I have no desire to watch sports cars racing.
I don't have no sports car
I don't own a sports car.
And I don't even care to have one
Moreover, I don't even want one.
I can walk anytime around the block
I can stroll around the neighbourhood without depending on a sports car.
Well, the wind keeps a-blowin' me
The wind keeps pushing me.
Up and down the street
Back and forth on the street.
With my hat in my hand
I'm walking around with my hat in my hand.
And my boots on my feet
Wearing boots to protect my feet.
Watch out so you don't step on me
Be careful not to step on me as I walk on the street.
Well, lookit here buddy
Addressing an acquaintance.
You want to be like me?
Do you aspire to be like me?
Pull out your six-shooter
Get your revolver out.
And rob every bank you can see
Rob each bank you come across.
Tell the judge I said it was all right
Cite me as permission to do this crime.
Yes
Agreement to the previous instruction.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sm8821
I mean, come on. Why is this one so underrated. Some of the finest music Dylan ever recorded.
@brittbeck9158
Hi, I don’t think it’s underrated. Every true Fan of Bob, like/love it.
It’s that kind of melody that goes to the heart, the lyrics are great.
Bob/Alias are gorgeous 🙏💙💕
@sm8821
Hi back. I appreciate that. You can't put it better than that. It goes to the ❤️ because Dylan poured his in it. You can feel it from the first note, to the last one.
@maca5645
This and Highway 61 are my fave Dylan records, i have worn them out.
@sm8821
Two of his best. 😉
@pacerodi
Just because he went to Mexico to record it.
@genehennigh3305
This just may be Dylan's most underrated songs. The harmonica itself is as poetic as good poetry. And poetry is one of Dylan's strong suits.
@andrewhindley7548
Great harmonica
@killianjohn4794
Patt: times have changed billy..
Billy: times maybe!!, not me!
The movie will never get old
@alberto-os1bx
Billy: few months in Mexico are not so bad......Alias: depends who you are.....ain't that something?