I've wrote various times now about the music of Bob Dyan, and even made a deep biographical study in 2018 (see Early Life of Bob Dylan). While his career has spanned over 50 years, it's without question that his early stuff was his best stuff. He brought forth such an original style of raspy vocals with beautiful thought-provoking lyrics. Often accompanied by his guitar, harmonica, and even piano for some songs. His musical delivery had such a passionate quality to it, sometimes with a rap-like rhythm. I've often stated that Dylan's musical voice is an acquired taste no different than coffee or beer. I believe he intentionally delivers a raw sound that is often accentuated with some truly beautiful sustained notes.
So here without further ado is my top 50 well thought-out
favorite Dylan songs. I've included the duration of the song, which I think is
an interesting component of folk music. Unlike your typical pop hit, these folk
songs can sometimes go much longer than the usual 3 minute average. As stated
above most of my favorite Dylan songs occurred in his first few albums during
the 1960s, however there are still several songs from the 70s, 80s, and even
90s on this list.
Sara
Pressing On
Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat
Love Minus Zero/ No Limit
It Takes alot to laugh, a train to cry
Isis
It's Alright Ma, I'm only bleeding
Slow Train
Gates of Eden
One too Many Mornings
Knocking on Heaven's Door
North Country Blues
La Lady Lay
Top 50 Bob Dylan Songs
50. Changing of the Guards
- Album:
Street-Legal (1978)
- Genre:
Rock, Gospel
- Duration:
6:37
- Significance:
It's one of the few clean cut studio songs I'll have on this list, but
it's a catchy gospel rock song. The song is a reference to Dylan's
conversion to Christianity and as the title suggests it a change from the
16 previous years in the musical industry. It's an up-tempo song, with
backup vocals by a gospel choir.
49. Tombstone Blues
- Album:
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
- Genre:
Blues Rock
- Duration:
5:58
- Significance:
As the title suggests this is a blues song, with some good upbeat jamming
and complex lyrics. It's ultimately a protest song directed at the Vitenam
War, but also the chaos of authority and society in general. The song is
played at the beginning of the film I'm Not There, with Richie
Havens.
Album: New Morning (1970)- Genre:
Country Rock
- Duration:
2:39
- Significance:
It's a simple love song with a catchy studio quality tune. As the title
suggests Dylan is sharing his love and gratefulness towards his first wife
Sara Dylan. He states he would be incomplete and lost without her
guidance.
47. Masters of War
- Album:
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:31
- Significance:
As the title suggests it a protest song speaking out against war. In
this case it is regarding the build-up of arms due to the Cold War. The
song has the traditional Dylan folk quality to it, more of a spoken melody
with strumming guitar rhythm.
46. Ballad of a Thin Man
- Album:
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
- Genre:
Blues Rock
- Duration:
5:56
- Significance:
It is a protest song, that tells the story of Mr. Jones as a confused
journalist unable to grasp the meaning of rock and roll. The lyrics of the
song are quite complex and invite open interpretation. This is no doubt a
reference to the media constantly trying to analyze the meaning of Dylan's
songs. Dylan was notorious for his aloof interactions with the press
throughout the mid 1960s. This scene was famously portrayed in the
film I'm Not There.
45. Desolation Row
- Album:
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
11:21
- Significance:
It's one of Dylan's longest most complex songs about surreal characters
and a sense of alienation. The notion of Desolation Row represents a dark
place for misfits and outcasts who can't come to terms with society's
norms. The lyrics tell various stories of historical, mythological, and
biblical characters taken way out of context and put into the sheer chaos
of desolation row. One could interpret this song as another drug induced
psychedelic trip, on par with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds or The
Walrus Man. It's got the classic Dylan folk sound, even if it's a bit
on the grim side.
44. Corinna, Corinna (Cover)
- Album:
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Country Blues
- Duration:
2:41
- Significance:
This is a catchy cover of the 1928 country blues song by Bo Carter. Aside
from it's enjoyable soothing melody, Dylan provides some great guitar
strumming, harmonica, and vocal delivery. The yodeling voice cracks is
what wins me over in this bluesy song.
43. Just Like a Woman
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
4:50
- Significance:
One of Dylan's more controversial and even misogynistic songs where he is
clearly frustrated over a recent breakup. He describes a relationship
where the woman lures him in, but then breaks his heart like a little
girl. Aside from these harsh lyrics towards women, it is actually an
iconic Dylanesque folk song with some guide singing and harmonica
breaks.
42. My Back Pages
- Album: Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:23
- Significance:
This is the classic Dylan folk style that I will have many examples of on
this list. It is a personal song, that explains his desire to live his
times rather then sing of the stories of old. This is no doubt
laying the groundwork for his transition from the folk protest music to
rock-and-roll. In a clever twist of backwards aging, Dylan states that
"he was older then but is younger than that now". I
interpret this a someone ready to let go of wisdom in exchange for the
social present.
41. Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues
Again
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
7:03
- Significance:
Classic Dylan folk song with many allegories that is very open for
interpretation. The general theme hints at someone stuck in a lonely,
isolated, even depressive states referred to as Mobile, Alabama, who longs
for something more exciting such as Memphis, Tennessee. There's also an
element of abstract confusion perhaps a nod to altered states from drug
use.
40. I Want You
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:05
- Significance:
Another love song from Dylan's greatest album Blonde on
Blonde. However it's not a sweet/simple love song like it may
sound, but rather a complex one of obsessive desire and infatuation. The
narrator experiences a surreal overwhelming emotion supported by some
unique characters that enhance his manic state-of-mind. As whacky as the
lyrics may be, the song has an upbeat melody, carried by Dylan's great
vocals, and powerful harmonica rifts.
39. Tangled up in Blue
- Album:
Blood on the Tracks (1975)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
5:41
- Significance:
One of the few post-60s Dylan songs on the list, this one has a nice blend
of classic Dylan with a cleaner studio sound. It's a romance story
depicting the ups-and-downs and various memories of the
relationship.
38. Highway 61 Revisited
- Album:
Highway 61 Revisited (1966)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
3:30
- Significance:
It's one of Dylan's abstract almost psychedelia rock songs. He recounts
many whimsical stories, such as God and Abraham and King Louie where they
solve all their problems on Highway 61. I think it's yet another Dylan
song that is very open to interpretation but celebrates the historical US
Route 61 from Minnesota to New Orleans.
- Album:
Desire (1976)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
3:47
- Significance:
This is a later folk song by Dylan during the 1970s and has a unique gypsy
quality to it. Dylan sings with a dramatic flare, carried by expressive
violin, and backup vocals from Emmylou Harris. It is a song that embraces
Romani Folk culture. I especially love the mention of coffee in this song,
and use the phrase a lot before I move onto to something different, even
if it's to the valley below (no doubt a reference to death).
36. Not Dark Yet
- Album:
Time Out of Mind (1997)
- Genre:
Rock
- Duration:
6:29
- Significance:
This is the most recent/modern Dylan song I have on this list. It's quite
different from his early stuff, but it's got such a chill, soothing
quality to it. I believe the premise is that Dylan realizes he is getting
old, but his career and life is still not over yet. Dylan is reflecting on
his past, his near brush with death, his loneliness, and his peaceful
acceptance of the approaching end. It's a melancholic message with a
beautiful melody.
35. Blowing in the Wind
- Album:
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
2:45
- Significance:
Often considered Dylan's breakout song, and arguably his most famous song
of all time. It no doubt captured the counter-culture revolution of the
1960s a youthful movement seeking change. It's an enjoyable song, but in
my opinion somewhat plain and even mainstream. It's of course very
overplayed, and reminds me of the Beatles breakout song' "I want
to hold your hand". A song that was once so catchy that it became
lame, which is everything Dylan did not want from his music.
34. Maggie's Farm
- Album:
Bringing it All Back Home (1965)
- Genre:
Blues Rock
- Duration:
3:51
- Significance:
One of Dylan's early electric-blues songs in 1965, that controversially
debuted at the Newport Folk Festival to mark his transition from acoustic
folk to electric rock. The song can be interpreted as a union or labor
song, against unfair pay or working conditions. It's ultimately a
rebellious song against the system, represented as Maggie's
Farm.
33. Jokerman
- Album:
Infidels (1983)
- Genre:
Reggae Rock
- Significance:
This song has a unique style from the 1980s with a very catchy tropical
vibe. The reggae song is quite open to interpretation of who exactly is
this Jokerman; Jesus, the devil, Dylan himself, or just some confused
person struggling with good and evil. Aside from these deep lyrical
meanings, I just think it's a really jiving song, and a refreshing break
from Dylan's usual style.
32. Simple Twist of Fate
- Album: Blood on the Tracks (1975)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
4:18
- Significance:
Another rare 1970s song on my list, it has a soothing production quality
to it, with Dylan's passionate vocals. It's another personal reflective
song for Dylan looking back at his past marriage, beginning with the spark
that consumed and frightened him. Its a melancholic song where the spark
and powerful connection eventually ended with the separation that was
feared.
31. Wigwam
- Album:
Self Portrait (1970)
- Genre:
Country Rock, Psychedelic Rock
- Duration:
3:08
- Significance:
It is a unique wordless/instrumental melody where Dylan just sings la-la
vocals. The melody has a very uplifting, big band arrangement. I would
even label this song as somewhat psychedelic in the likes of the Beatles
"Flying". I could see this song as someone lost in a
state of jubilation, or even a group of drunken friends singing around the
campfire.
30. Subterranean Homesick Blues
- Album:
Bringing it All Back Home (1965)
- Genre:
Folk Rock, Blues Rock, Rap
- Duration:
2:20
- Significance:
If ever there was a song that could be pointed as the early pre-cursor
foundation to the rap genre, it would be this one. Dylan is spitting out
quick versed lyrics, in spoken format broken up with guitar strumming and
harmonica rifts. It's yet another rebellious anti-establishment song, that
highlighted his transition from acoustic to electric.
29. To Ramona
- Album:
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:51
- Significance:
It is a beautiful folk song, with the qualities of a Greek or Spanish
flamenco style. I would say this is a departure from the usual American
folk sound of Dylan and something more cultural. It is a romantic song
dedicated to Joan Baez, who he felt a strong connection with throughout
the early part of his career.
28. Rainy Day Women
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
- Duration:
4:34
- Significance:
It's an iconic rock song by Dylan with a unique bluesy/psychedelic sound
to it. It has a whimsical silly nature to it, with it's live rendition of
laughter, shouting, loud harmonica, Dixieland jazz, and the constant
phrase to "Get Stoned!". While the song is commonly considered a
drug celebration, it's also interpreted as a persecution song. This is a
clever wordplay by Dylan to allow two different directions on the
song.
- Album:
The Basement Tapes (1975)
- Genre:
Country Folk
- Duration:
5:27
- Significance:
It's a beautiful country folk song, and collaboration with The Band. It
has a raw dreamlike quality to it, of someone yearning for escape and
adventure. This is one of the rare examples of a great Dylan song, I think
could have used a little more polishing. The cover version of this song by
My Morning Jacket, played in the film I'm Not There is
one of my favorite Dylan covers.
26. A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall
- Album:
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
6:55
- Significance:
Another iconic early Dylan folk song regarding apocalyptic visions of the
end-times. This is of course another protest song pertaining to the social
injustice, the potential collapse of the world, and the necessity to bear
witness. It's passionate singing from Dylan, with driving acoustic
guitar.
25. Shelter from the Storm
- Album:
Blood on the Tracks (1975)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
5:02
- Significance:
Once again another example of Dylan's vulnerable dependency on a woman, in
this case his wife Sara. He compares the trials and tribulations of life
as a storm, and his woman as his shelter and refuge from this chaos. It's
a lovely acoustic melody with simple rhythm, and the iconic Dylan
harmonica at the intro and outro.
- Album:
Bringing it All Back Home (1965)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:12
- Significance:
Another classic Dylanesque folk song, with his loud wailing, guitar
strumming, and iconic harmonica. It's a farewell song directed at his
musical partner and love interest Joan Boaz. It is also interpreted as his
farewell to the folk scene in exchange for his entry into the
rock-and-roll genre.
23. All Along the Watchtower
- Album:
John Wesley Harding (1967)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
2:30
- Significance:
One of Dylan's most popular and covered songs (especially by Jimi Hendrix
and Dave Matthews Band). The song is about the pending doom of the world,
and the hopeless realization that there is no escape. It's a classic
Dylanesque song with good vocal delivery, acoustic strumming, and
harmonica rifts.
22. The Man in Me
- Album:
New Morning (1970)
- Genre:
Roots Rock
- Duration:
3:10
- Significance:
Here's another uplifting studio-quality song from Dylan celebrating love.
The theme is once again showing gratitude for the woman that completed him
and brought out the best version of himself. I enjoy the vocal la-la's
throughout this song, especially at the bridge towards the end.
21. Mr. Bojangles (Cover)
- Album:
New Morning (1970)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
5:32
- Significance:
It's a beautiful cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's 1968 country song about a
street performing tap dancer. I usually envision a hobo or clown playing a
banjo when I hear this song. I remember my dad also use to play the song
at retirement homes. Bob Dylan delivers a great passionate vocal
performance in this song especially towards the end, with long sustained
notes, telling Bojangle to dance.
- Album:
Bob Dylan (1962)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
2:42
- Significance:
It's one of Dylan's first original songs that appeared on his debut album
in 1962. It's classic iconic Dylanesque sound, heartfelt folk music. The
song is a homage to his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie. What's
especially interesting about this song, is that Dylan traveled to New York
City to play this song for his folk hero before beginning his own career
in the folk scene.
19. Hurricane
- Album:
Desire (1976)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
8:32
- Significance:
One of Dylan's later protest songs from the 1970s about the wrongfully
accused boxer Rubin the Hurricane Carter. It's an upbeat protest song,
with some fast paced percussion and violin rifts in it. This song always
reminds me of the film Dazed and Confused, when they walk into the
Emporium. I just think that's one of the coolest scenes in film,
especially enhanced by this great song.
18. The Times they are a-Changin'
- Album:
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:12
- Significance:
One of Dylan's iconic early folk songs, that became the anthem of the
counter-culture revolution in the 1960s (alongside Blowing in the
Wind). This song essentially points out a shift from the old
generation of the 1950s (an age of innocence) to the newer youthful
generation that would become involved in civil rights and antiwar
movements (sometimes referred to as the Hippie Movement). Aside from it's
beautiful poetic lyrics it's a sheer raw delivery from Dylan; with his
prophetic voice, strumming guitar, and harmonica solos.
- Album:
Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits (1967)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
3:54
- Significance:
Yet another transitional song for Dylan regarding his switch from folk to
electric. This song in particular is directed at his former friends and
even fans, who claimed he was a traitor. Dylan accuses them of being
hypocrites and false friends who also sought to gain from his success. The
song has a prominent organ melody to it, a new element he introduced in
his two major 1965 albums; Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde
on Blonde.
16. With God on Our Side
- Album:
The Times They Are a Changin'
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
7:08
- Significance:
This is another great early definitive Dylan song, with the folksy protest
vibe. He basically runs down American history, explaining how all the wars
brought forth great injustice, however Americans believed God was on their
side. This is of course a sarcastic message and hits at the hypocrisy of
killing in the name of God. Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking
parts of the song is the mention of Judas Iscariot, and how his betrayal
may have been a part of God's plan to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus
Christ.
15. One Too Many Mornings
- Album:
The Times they Are a Changin' (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Significance:
It's a very simplistic song, quite similar to the Times they are a
Changin and many other early Dylan folk songs, and yet still so
soothing. It's an easy fingerpicking tempo, with Dylan's soothing voice,
and entrancing harmonica solos. The song is a reflective song, looking
back at a relationship, the passing time, and the nostalgia that comes
with letting go of something.
14. Farewell
- Album:
Bootleg Series (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:58
- Significance:
For some strange reason he decided not to include this original folk song
on his album The Times They are a-Changing. The live 1963
recording was later released on the Bootleg Series album. Despite it's raw
somewhat unpolished quality it's still a beautiful folk song, the epitome
of Dylanesque passion. It's yet another goodbye/heartbreak song which
Dylan seems to specialize in during his early folk period. My favorite
lines in the song is "It ain't the leavin' thats a-grievin' me,
but my true lowe who's bound to stay behind".
13. He Was a Friend of Mine (Cover)
- Album:
Bootleg Series (1961)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:01
- Significance:
This is such a powerful song for me that always hits home, a beautiful
cover of a 1930s folk song (authorship unknown). It's a simple story,
about someone who lost his friend and this tragedy makes the narrator sad.
The man died on the road, and didn't have much money to begin with. While
the narrator is sad at the loss of his friend, he is also sad in realizing
that he is very similar to his friend in that he also doesn't have much
money and is never been quite satisfied. When I hear this song I just
envision two broke hobos trying to survive in the 1930s. It's a beautiful
delivery by Bob Dylan, with great vocals and harmonica.
12. 4th Time Around
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:32
- Significance:
I just love this song, and it's dreamlike romantic quality. Maybe it's the
guitar strumming or Dylan's vocals, or the harmonica that does it for me.
It's no doubt a love song, however it has a deeper complex narrative at
work, pertaining to mind game. While the song is playful at heart, it
ultimately hints at the women's manipulative behavior. I especially love
the part where Dylan asks for some of her Jamaican Rum, in which she
refuses in a strange power dynamic.
11. Forever Young
- Album: Planet Waves (1974)
- Genre:
Rock
- Duration:
4:57
- Significance:
I love the melody of this song, but also the general message. Dylan sings
and belts this one with great heartfelt warm passion. While the song is
likely directed at Dylan's son, Jakob, it is a seen as a general
celebration of youth. Whether that be from the parents perspective or
individual growth. It's a positive frame of mind, that can be applied to
anyone who feels down or lonely and seeks hope. I think I first heard this
song in a 2009 Pepsi Commercial that merged the old footage of Bob Dylan
and the newer footage of Will.I.Am. I was so inspired by the video, the
awesome celebration of American culture, and just Dylan's song in
general.
10. The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
- Album:
The Times They Are a Changin' (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
5:48
- Significance:
Here is classic protest song from Dylan, where he is sharing a raw story
of racial injustice. It's the epitome of the Dylanesque style, as he
strums his guitar and sings in that iconic whiney voice sharing the
details of Hattie Carroll. A black maid who was slain by her white boss,
William Zantzinger. The true artistry of the song is not only pointing out
the injustice of the murder, but more so the injustice of the court
ruling, which let Zantinger walk away with just a 6-month sentence. At this
point Dylan brilliantly states to the audience, "Now is the time
for your tears.". I first fell in love with this song at it's
portrayal in the film, I'm Not There.
9. All I Really Wanna Do
- Album:
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:04
- Significance:
Similar to It Aint me Babe, Dylan is stating his desire
not to be tied down to a woman, but rather just remain as friends. It's a
subtle knock at all the difficult complexities and commitments that come
with a relationship, and that maybe it is better to just stay free, single,
and remain as friends. It's a song about freedom, individuality, yet also
welcoming companionship. It's got the overall iconic full Dylaneqsue folk
package (raw vocals with some yodeling, acoustic guitar, poetic lyrics,
and harmonica).
8. Like a Rolling Stone
- Album:
Highway 61 Revisisted (1965)
- Genre:
Rock
- Duration:
6:09
- Significance:
This is often ranked as Dylan's greatest song of all time alongside Blowing
in the Wind. While it was a very catchy song it also represented his
first major hit in his new electric guitar phase. The song is carried by a
definitive organ sound, which introduced a new layer of studio quality to
Dylan's music (a shift from the raw delivery of acoustic guitar). The song
was also unique for it's length of 6 minutes quite different from the
usual 3-minute standard for most hit songs. It essentially tells the story
of a wealthy noble woman who falls from grace, loses her money, and must
now fend for herself. Dylan sarcastly asks her, "How Does it Feel,
To Be on Your own, with no direction hom, a complete unknown, like a
rolling stone!" While the song no doubt introduced some new
elements to Dylan's it also has some of his former folk elements such as
that whiney passionate voice and beautiful harmonica solos.
7. Mr. Tambourine Man
- Album:
Bringing it All Back Home (1965)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
5:32
- Significance:
One of my favorite Dylan folk songs, with that iconic Dylanesque sound
that made him famous to begin with. It's those crying heartfelt vocals
directed at the tambourine man that hit home for me every time. It's a
call to let go of control, to escape from the sorrow of everyday life, and
surrender to the beauty of the music. As Dylan best states "I'm ready
to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade, Into my own parade, cast your
dancing spell my way, I promise to go under it". It's a song
about freedom and celebrating the power of art and music.
6. Moonshiner (Cover)
- Album:
Bootleg Series (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
5:05
- Significance:
Another raw beautiful cover song from Dylan released on his Bootleg
Series. The origin and author of the song is unknown, but it's first
recordings occurred in the late 1930s. What I especially love about this
song is the easy tempo and it's long sustained harmonica notes, that sound
like an train passing by. I hear the song as a homage to American culture,
perhaps the country life living in isolation and solitude. The whiskey is
of course the key player in the song, serving as the narrator's escape
from reality. It's yet another melancholic but very beautiful Dylan song.
5. It Aint me Babe
- Album:
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:33
- Significance:
Just another beautiful song of early Dylanesque folk brilliance. It's a
rather melancholic song, of a person accepting that he cannot make this
woman happy. It's almost defeatist, with lines such as "You Say
you're looking for someone who's never weak but always strong".
In this song Dylan is boldly stating that he is weak,
flawed, and a complex person. He is simply not the perfect ideal man the
girl is looking for. It's just a beautiful melody with great passionate
vocal delivery from Dylan.
4. Visions of Johanna
- Album:
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
- Genre:
Folk Rock
- Duration:
7:30
- Significance:
Another one of my all time favorites on so many different levels. It's the
lyrics, the organ, the harmonica, the melody, and just Dylan's vocal
delivery. As the title suggests Dylan is lost in thoughts and memories of
a woman, but it's not quite as simple as it may sound. It appears he is
torn by two women, Louise and Johanna; Louise is quite average while
Johanna is like a perfect angel. This has a deeper meaning of the gap
between what we have and we wish we could have. There's so many great
poetic lines in this song, such as "Aint it just like the night to
play tricks when you're trying to be so quite", "Infinity
goes up on trial", "Mona Lisa musta had the highway
blues, you can tell by the way she smiles". I remember playing
this song on repeat during my courier days in 2011-2012.
3. Boots of Spanish Leather
- Album: The Times they Are a Changing (1964)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
4:40
- Significance:
Another iconic early Dylan folk song, that I actually discovered in one of
my later Dylan phases. Dylan is once again giving a passionate story about
having to depart from a lover and exchanging letters with her. He asks her
what he can give her to remember him by, and she requests boots of Spanish
leather, as a symbolic gesture that he use these boots to return to her. I
just love Dylan's delivery throughout this song, with it's beautiful
poetry, and various incantations such as when he accentuates the line,
"Barcelona". I think it's yet another melancholic song of
heartache, but that ending is so poetic. Where all she wishes is that he
would return to her.
2. Girl from the Northern Country
- Album:
The Freewheeling Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:19
- Significance:
Just a raw passionate iconic early Dylan masterclass of love and
nostalgia. He's just reminiscing of a lost love and his former home, no
doubt a reference to rural Minnesota where he grew up in. He's simply lost
in reflection of this past love of his, and wonders if she even remembers
him at all. Dylan creates a great image of Americana in this song where
the "winds hit heavy on the borderline" almost appealing
to the northern traveler to remember of his once true love. Just the full
beautiful folk package from Dylan here with the poetic lyrics, the
reflective singing, the acoustic strumming, and the long sustained
harmonica notes.
1. Don't think Twice, It's All Right
- Album:
The Freewheeling Bob Dylan (1963)
- Genre:
Folk
- Duration:
3:37
- Significance: This is one of my all-time favorite definitive Dylan folk songs here. It's yet another a farewell break-up song, but rather one of bitter resignation rather than heartache of Boots of Spanish Leather or Girl from the North Country. Aside from it's beautiful vocal delivery and lyrics such as "Goodbye is too good of a word, so I'l just say farewell", I think what especially wins me over on this song is that beautiful guitar picking and sustained harmonica rifts. It's simplistic music at it's finest and I think that is the ultimate appeal and essence of Dylan's genius music.
Favorite Albums
10. Desire (1976) - 2 songs
9. New Morning (1970)- 2 songs
8. Bootleg Series (1961-1963)- 3 songs
7. Blood on the Tracks (1975) - 3 songs
6. Bringing it all Back Home (1965)- 4 songs
5. Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)- 4 songs
4. The Times they Are a Changing (1964)- 4 songs
3. Highway 61 Revisited (1965) - 5 songs
2. Blonde on Blonde (1966) - 6 songs
1. The Freewheeling Bob Dylan (1963)- 7 songs
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