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
Not Fade Away
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bop-bop-bop-bop
I'm gonna tell you how it's gonna be
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
You're gonna give your love to me
Bop-bop-bop-bop
I want to love you night and day
You know my loving not fade away
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Well you know my loving not fade away
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
My love bigger than a Cadillac
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
I'll try to show it when you're driving me back
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Your love for me got to be real
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
For you to know just how I feel
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
A love for real not fade away
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
I'm gonna tell you how it's gonna be
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
You're gonna give your love to me
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Love to last more than one day
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Love is loving and not fade away
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Love is loving and not fade away
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bob Dylan's Not Fade Away is a cover of a Buddy Holly song that has achieved iconic status. The lyrics in the song seem very simple and repetitive, with the same lines repeated over and over again. However, there's more to the song than what meets the eye. It's a love song that speaks to the everlasting nature of love. The singer assures his lover that his love is not just a passing phase, but it's something that will endure the test of time.
The 'bop-bop-bop' refrain that is repeated throughout the song is an example of call-and-response in rock-n-roll music. It is intended to evoke a sense of excitement and engagement in the listener. When the singer says "I'm gonna tell you how it's gonna be," he is essentially making a declaration about his intentions. He is telling his lover that he is serious about her and wants her to reciprocate his love. The line "My love bigger than a Cadillac, I'll try to show it when you're driving me back" is a metaphor for the boundless nature of his love, which he will go to great lengths to show to his lover.
The song's overall theme is the immutability of love. Love can be intense and passionate, but it can also be long-lasting and enduring. The 'not fade away' refrain is a testament to the notion that true love never fades or dies. The song's straightforward lyrics and lively rhythm make it a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Repetitive sounds serving as a musical interlude
I'm gonna tell you how it's gonna be
I am going to let you know what to expect
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
You're gonna give your love to me
I will receive your affection
I want to love you night and day
I desire to give you endless affection
You know my loving not fade away
My love for you will never diminish
Well you know my loving not fade away
You already know that my love does not fade
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Repetitive sounds serving as a musical interlude
My love bigger than a Cadillac
My love for you is greater than material possessions
I'll try to show it when you're driving me back
I will demonstrate my love for you during our time together
Your love for me got to be real
I need your love to be sincere
For you to know just how I feel
So that you can understand my emotions
A love for real not fade away
I want a genuine love that will last
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Repetitive sounds serving as a musical interlude
Love to last more than one day
I want a long-lasting love
Love is loving and not fade away
True love does not fade with time
Love is loving and not fade away
True love does not diminish
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
'Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Bop-bop-bop-bop
Repetitive sounds serving as a musical interlude
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOLLY, BUDDY / PETTY, NORMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markweatherly6782
Bob Dylan stood in front of the stage and watched Buddy Holly perform at the Duluth, MN armory dance hall in January 1959. Bob claims that Buddy made eye contact with him. I just love how Bob chose to play Not Fade Away here in 2023, 64 years after watching Buddy play it.
@knotNyourHead
I've probably listened to this 100 times in the month since I found your video. Never gets old!
@adamhuston9955
Bob Dylan is still on form in Japan. Love from a fan of yours Adam ❤😅❤?
@RickNowels1
Bob's voice sounds good. And he's sticking to the melody!!
@adamhuston9955
I would love to see Bob Dylan live in Japan. Love from a fan of yours Adam ❤❤❤❤❤❤😢❤. Take care of yourself Bob Dylan.
@martyc2637
I never saw a Tokyo crowd so rowdy and ecstatic. I am guessing seeing Dylan live was a dream come true.
@whiskeycitydiggers
Thank you for sharing! It's an exciting time to be a Dylan fan.
@kyledoxstader2731
spot on. It's the best he'd sounded in 20 years. Can't wait to see what happens next.
@vandannadale2689
It sure as hell is!
@whiskeycitydiggers
@@vandannadale2689 Cool channel, just subscribed! I'm a former van lifer, trying to get my Astro roadworthy to do it again.