Comments on: For Bob Dylan, Songwriter, the Nobel Prize for Literature Is Not A Promotion

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:17:34 +0000

Joyce,
Exactly. I think it was one of the first songs I learned too.
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Joyce Rogers

Joyce Rogers — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 13:21:44 +0000

The first song I ever learned was a Dylan (Tambourine Man) and I loved the last 2 verses of the song (which were very poetic) but they never made it to the popular version by the Byrds. So it goes. But he is inspiration with a simple complexity, imperfect vocal and clever use of language,that has a fun feel on the tongue, igniting insight with expression. Awards, well, okay.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 06:50:52 +0000

In reply to Wayne Somerville. Well put! TC

By: Wayne Somerville

Wayne Somerville — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 04:41:50 +0000

I think one way to illustrate the idea of Bob being a lyricist first and foremost is the idea that when Bob chose his final version of what was written on the page it was informed by how it sang, how it fit into the the melody and rhythm of the song. The way certain words are held longer or are grouped together is most certainly decided by the musical structure of the song.
Bob is certainly a great poet and his songs have literary value but his great gift is songwriting.
In other words Bob is a great poet but his words have to serve the demands of the song form, which is no small feat. It has to be mentioned though that his poetry or his lyric also benefits from the power of the music that they are tied to. I guess you could argue all day about songwriting, literature, poetry and of course the idea of awards but in the end it doesn’t mean much at all. Bob is one of the great artists of all time regardless of how you define it.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 20:04:16 +0000

In reply to Tamara Hey. Thanks, T!

By: Tamara Hey

Tamara Hey — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 19:33:13 +0000

RIGHT ON! AGREED!