Bob Dylan is an iconic singer-songwriter who helped to make America stand up and think about the music they were listening to throughout the last four decades. He is a bard and storyteller of American culture using the guitar, harmonica, and piano as his tools of trade. Known for his nasal-voice, Dylan actually strived for that by emulating an early influence in Woody Guthrie. Bob Dylan has written hundreds of songs over the past 45+ years. While this list could be done over and over, my favorite five are below.
Masters of War: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963) Arguably one of Bob Dylan’s greatest social commentaries, Masters of War has an endless appeal because it can be used for any time. Dylan has claimed that this song is not an anti-war song more than it is a pro-pacifism song. When he wrote the song, he was referring to Eisenhower’s “military-industrial complex”. The song is based off of an old English folk song from the late medieval ages called, Nottamun Town. Dylan picked up from popular tune in Appalachia and changed the lyrics to fit his own sound.
Desolation Row: Highway 61 Revisited (1965) This song, coming in at more than 11 minutes, was the last track on this album and the only one to not to feature an electric guitar. Dylan states that this song is a minstrel song fashioned after the carnival singers in blackface that he had seen. The lyrics provide a warning to people that society is heading towards Armageddon at the height of the Cold War. The title of the song is a mish-mash of two counterculture favorite novels: Desolation Angels (Jack Kerouac) and Cannery Row (John Steinbeck). Although, it has also been referenced that Dylan took T.S. Eliot’s (mentioned in the song) The Waste Land as an inspiration. It includes religious, popular culture and Shakespearian references to explain the madness of America in the mid-sixties.
Subterranean Homesick Blues: Bringing It All Back Home (1965) This was Dylan’s first top 40 Billboard Hit (#39) and one of his first electric guitar songs. It seems like Dylan was obsessed with Jack Kerouac during 1964 and 1965, since this song probably takes its name from Kerouac’s 1958 novel, The Subterraneans, about the Beat culture in New York City. The song is interesting in the fact that it shows how some youth were joining the emerging counterculture while others were following the establishment in altering verses, yet makes them realize at the end that they are all in the same boat.
Like A Rolling Stone: Single (1965) One of Bob Dylan’s most recognizable songs, was first released as a single and then put onto the album Highway 61 Revisited. Of all of his songs, this one cemented his place in the popular music world moving him beyond his folksy roots. The basis of this song came from a short story Dylan had written. The song is about class division of a rich woman and a poor man (“Napoleon in rags”) who have each fallen from the graces of upper society because they failed to see what was going on around him. Dylan is explaining that if you aren’t aware of your surroundings, you too, can fall off your high horse into destruction.
Visions of Johanna: Blonde on Blonde (1966) The originally title of this song was, Seems Like A Freeze Out, and was probably a reference to Joan Baez, who Dylan was dating at the time. The lyrics seem to be somewhat autobiographical of Dylan’s life in entering New York City and his relationships there. The “visions” are related in lyrical form as wisp-like memories go through the singer’s mind as he is remembering her.
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#1 by Tom Doubles on December 31st, 2009
Outstanding list. Impossible to argue against any of these songs. Would only add two other favorites of mine – Summer Days from Love and Theft; Dignity from Unplugged.
#2 by Rob Davenport on December 31st, 2009
Can’t argue with this list. Hovering just below at number 6 must be The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll.
#3 by tbone on January 1st, 2010
nothing from the 70s, 80s or 90s?
#4 by Jimm on December 31st, 2009
@Tom and Rob – great tunes! The problem with Dylan is that he’s such a prolific songwriter, how can you only choose five???
#5 by Bill on December 31st, 2009
Blind Willie McTell, Angelina, Series of Dreams, Not Dark Yet, Trying to get to Heaven
#6 by Larry Kosofsky on December 31st, 2009
Another possible influence for “Desolation Row” is the film noir classic “Nightmare Alley”, starring Tyrone Power as a carnival worker who rises to the top of the “spiritual racket” only to descend to the depths of alcoholism, eventually winding up as a sideshow geek. Check it out.
#7 by Phil T. on December 31st, 2009
The problem with this list is that it picks 5 from his work up to Blonde on Blonde. His portfolio of new songs still goes on today, almost 43 years since.
Even if his work ended in 1966, I could argue the following should be inlcuded:
My Back Pages
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
It’s Allright Ma
With God On Our Side
Chimes Of Freedom
And then from the years after:
Tangled Up In Blue
Idiot Wind
Mississippi
Blind Willie McTell
Shelter From The Storm
and probably 20 or 30% of the rest of his songs could make the list as well.
Jimm is right, the Man is just too prolific and consistently writes amazing songs.
#8 by Danny on December 31st, 2009
Agreed, these are great songs, but out of over 40 years of songwriting, its a shame you only chose from the first 4 years and neglected the other 90% of his work. Believe it or not, there are GREAT Dylan compositions in the other decades. A lot of people forget that. Look at Bills list. And Tom Doubles too! How about a list of favorite Dylan songs that arent from the 60s!
#9 by Phil T. on December 31st, 2009
Sure Danny, here are more:
Isis
Sara
Jokerman
Eye and Eye
Where Are You Tonight (Journey Through Dark Heat)
Changing Of The Guards
Every Grain Of Sand
Man In The Long Black Coat
Here’s a tough one. Try to pick one song that you think is best from every Dylan studio album. No best of collections, or live recordings allowed.
I’ll try and post my list tomorrow.
Happy New Year
#10 by Phil T. on December 31st, 2009
Got it here while waiting for the New Year’s ball to fall.
It was extremely difficult since some had 2,3 or 4 that could tie for best.
I skipped Under the Red Sky and Good As I Been To You since I don’t know them well enough.
The albums can be found on bobdylan.com under the albums link, in reverse chronological order.
If you click on an album it will open and list the songs.
Have fun.
Song To Woody
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
My Back Pages
It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)
Like A Rolling Stone
Just Like A Woman
The Ballad Of Frankie Lee And Judas Priest
Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You
Days Of ‘49
Day Of The Locusts
Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Mr. Bojangles
Dirge
Idiot Wind
Tears Of Rage
Sara
Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat)
I Believe In You
In The Garden
Every Grain Of Sand
License To Kill
I’ll Remember You
Caribbean Wind
Brownsville Girl
Silvio
Shooting Star
Blind Willie McTell
Broke Down Engine
Not Dark Yet
Mississippi
Workingman’s Blues #2
Things Have Changed
I Feel A Change Comin’ On
#11 by Bob L on January 1st, 2010
Blind Willie McTell would have to be in my top five list.