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
If Dogs Run Free
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the swooping plain?
My ears hear a symphony
Of two mules, trains and rain
The best is always yet to come
That's what they explain to me
Just do your thing, you'll be king
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, why not me
Across the swamp of time?
My mind weaves a symphony
And tapestry of rhyme
Oh, winds which rush my tale to thee
So it may flow and be
To each his own, it's all unknown
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be, and that is all
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall
In harmony with the cosmic sea
True love needs no company
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole
If dogs run free
The lyrics of Bob Dylan's song If Dogs Run Free reflect the hippie culture of the 1960s, a time where freedom was a central theme, and the idea of breaking away from societal norms was embraced. The line "If dogs run free, then why not we" serves as a metaphor, implying that humans should be allowed to roam and live their lives freely, without discrimination or societal boundaries.
The poet's "ears hear a symphony of two mules, trains, and rain" suggests that he is aware of the sounds of the environment and the music that nature provides. The following line, "The best is always yet to come, that's what they explain to me," suggests an optimistic view of life, and that one should always look forward to the future.
The second stanza reveals that the line "If dogs run free, why not me" represents a desire for the poet to break free from societal restraints and barriers, as he weaves a "symphony and tapestry of rhyme" in his mind. Dylan emphasizes the message that each person has their own path to follow, and that everyone is on their journey's unique unknown path.
The final stanza speaks of the healing powers of "true love," conveying a message of love, peace, and acceptance. Love is compared to nature, flowing effortlessly in harmony with the cosmic sea, instead of needing a company. This message ties into the idea that if dogs run free, humans can also find a path to freedom, happiness, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
If dogs run free, then why not we
Across the swooping plain?
If dogs can run around freely, why can't we? Our senses can perceive the beauty of life around us in a vast landscape.
My ears hear a symphony
Of two mules, trains and rain
I enjoy the symphony of sounds around me, which includes the melody of mules, trains and rain.
The best is always yet to come
That's what they explain to me
Just do your thing, you'll be king
If dogs run free
I have been told that the best things in life are yet to come, so I should keep going on my path, doing my own thing, and eventually find my place in the world if dogs can continue living their lives with freedom.
If dogs run free, why not me
Across the swamp of time?
Like dogs that run free, I wonder why I can't enjoy a similar freedom in chasing my aspirations rather than being stuck in the swamp of time.
My mind weaves a symphony
And tapestry of rhyme
My imagination makes beautiful music and creativity, like a symphony and a tapestry of rhymes woven together.
Oh, winds which rush my tale to thee
So it may flow and be
To each his own, it's all unknown
If dogs run free
Dear winds, help me find ears to listen to my story as it unfolds, to each of us has our unique journey and destinies. We never know what might happen, but we can always aspire to love and live life freely like dogs.
If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be, and that is all
Dogs don't worry about the future, just live in the moment, and whatever happens will happen. Similarly, whatever is meant to be will happen for me.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall
In harmony with the cosmic sea
True love needs no company
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole
If dogs run free
True love has the power to make anything, no matter how insignificant or small, become amazing and noteworthy. Love connects and is part of the universe as a whole. True love is the antidote to heal any soul, no matter how broken, live freely and love like dogs do.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juancamacho5746
If dogs run free, then why not we
Across the swooping plain?
My ears hear a symphony
Of two mules, trains and rain
The best is always yet to come
That's what they explain to me
Just do your thing, you'll be king
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, why not me
Across the swamp of time?
My mind weaves a symphony
And tapestry of rhyme
Oh, winds which rush my tale to thee
So it may flow and be
To each his own, it's all unknown
If dogs run free
If dogs run free, then what must be
Must be, and that is all
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall
In harmony with the cosmic sea
True love needs no company
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole
If dogs run free
@nealluczkiewicz6846
Wow- what a comment.
I wonder what music you do like.
I sense a great resistance and maybe anger here.
There is something deep to explore for you.
The scat singer is dead on, perfectly in tune, singing "just enough" - not dominating.
The rhythm is calming, soothing and impeccable.
All the players, instruments, are listening to eachother and fit together like a perfect
jigsaw puzzle.
I really would like to know what you dislike
about this tune so much.
@DylanHamilton-lh4rk
The more i look at humanity the fonder i become of my dog man.
@wewerehereonce
This song was done in one shot, Ive read this in his autobiography literature.
@votephillips2564
this is a fine example of why Bob Dylan got the Nobel Prize for Literature.
@paradisepipeco
Amen.
@paradisepipeco
"The reason dogs like to visit other dogs on the dairy farm is that dogs love to sniff another dog's dairy air."
~~ Fido McRover
@CptEtgar
@@paradisepipeco The Dogs of Reason are truly doomed.
@paradisepipeco
@@CptEtgar Alas, young Jedi, you squeak naught but Truth; however the Porcupines of Ethics seem to be in even more dire and imminent peril. Sadly, however, it seems that the unfortunate Chicken of Diogenes has indeed already met its bleak destiny.....
@paradisepipeco
The fate of the Doomed Dogs of Reason
A foreboding forthcoming season
Epistemology, lacking ecology,
Leaves us all outside and freezin’
@robertthacher2660
If dogs run free why aren't we----Terrific blues progression with knockout lyrics and piano!
@rickyhemmle6183
Most likely, my favorite tune by the man, Bob Dylan.