Bob+Dylan



--"Bob+dylan - Google Search." //Bob+dylan - Google Search//. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, is a singer and songwriter who was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Dylan was born on May 24, 1941, and was active as a musician and songwriter from the 1960s through the 2010s. "Dylan" in the name "Bob Dylan" was inspired by a poet named Dylan Thomas who was influential and inspirational on Bob Dylan's career. After high school, Dylan studied at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Prior to college, Dylan was in a band called The Golden Chords. During college, Dylan performed in local coffee shops, where he grew as a performer and got his start. Though Dylan spent most of his career as a solo musician, he also was a member of a group called The Traveling Wilburys.

--Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Bob Dylan." //All Music//. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

"Mr. Tambourine Man"
Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.

Though I know that evenin's empire has returned into sand Vanished from my hand Left me blindly here to stand but still not sleeping My weariness amazes me, I'm branded on my feet I have no one to meet And the ancient empty street's too dead for dreaming.

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels To be wanderin' 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.

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you.

Though you might hear laughin', spinnin' swingin' madly across the sun It's not aimed at anyone, it's just escapin' on the run And but for the sky there are no fences facin' And if you hear vague traces of skippin' reels of rhyme To your tambourine in time, it's just a ragged clown behind I wouldn't pay it any mind, it's just a shadow you're Seein' that he's chasing.

--""Mr. Tambourine Man" Lyrics." //BOB DYLAN LYRICS//. A-Z Lyrics, n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

“Mr. Tambourine Man” is one of Bob Dylan’s biggest hits. It is a song that captures a man’s connection to music, which gives him inspiration and provides him with a sanctuary that he can turn to in order to unwind after a long, tiresome day or journey. Throughout the song, it seems as if Dylan is able to escape the stress and pace of everyday life by slipping into another world induced by music where he can relax and free his mind. For example, the first verse discusses Dylan’s exhaustion and need to find rest. This is evident in the lines “but still not sleeping” and “my weariness amazes me.” Dylan looks to the “Tambourine Man,” a metaphorical reference to music, for rest. In the next verse, Dylan describes the pleasant world to which music leads him. He says, “take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship” and “I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade,” which contribute to the idea that Dylan is able to escape from his tiring reality in the boundless world of music. This song really speaks to me because like Dylan, I also find the same comfort, solitude, and inspiration in music. Music has always been my refuge if I’m stressed, angry, or upset. In following the “Tambourine Man,” I find peace and inspiration to pursue my own musical interests. In this song, Dylan uses end rhyme, but not in a regular pattern. The rhyme scheme varies between verses, but it is used well and contributes to the melody of the song. The rhythm of the song is interesting. After looking closely at the songs meter, I discovered that the majority of the song switches between iambic and trochaic pentameter. This reminded me of the rhythm of a percussive instrument, such as a tambourine, which is often played with an accent on the beat, like a trochee, or off the beat, like an iamb. Overall, this is an excellent song with unique, thought-provoking lyrics.



--"Tambourines." //Tambourines//. Steveweissmusic, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2016.

="Like A Rolling Stone"=

Once upon a time you dressed so fine You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ? People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall." You thought they were all kiddin' you You used to laugh about Everybody that was hangin' out Now you don't talk so loud Now you don't seem so proud About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel? How does it feel To be without a home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone ?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely But you know you only used to get juiced in it And nobody's ever taught you how to live out on the street And now you're gonna have to get used to it You said you'd never compromise With the mystery tramp, but now you realize He's not selling any alibis As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes And say do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel? How does it feel To be on your own With no direction home A complete unknown Like a rolling stone ?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns When they all come down and did tricks for you You never understood that it ain't no good You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat Ain't it hard when you discover that He really wasn't where it's at After he took from you everything he could steal.

--""Like A Rolling Stone" Lyrics." //BOB DYLAN LYRICS//. A-Z Lyrics, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

Bob Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone” was a major hit in the 60’s. It is a very well-written song about the fall that comes to those who think too highly of themselves and forget to live life with meaning and purpose. As the song progresses it tells the story of a girl, who is speculated to have possibly been an item with Bob Dylan at one time, and her rise in pride, which resulted in her fall to rock bottom. In the first stanza, Dylan refers back to a past time in the girl’s life in which everything was going right for her, and she felt too well off to be knocked off of her pedestal. This is evident in the lines “you threw the bums a dime in your prime” and “you thought they were all kiddin’ you.” The latter half of the stanza discusses her major fall, regardless of her high opinion of herself. The lines “now you don’t seem so proud” and “scrounging for your next meal.” The refrain describes her life as a “rolling stone,” meaning her life has no direction, and her path will change with any minor bump or change of the surface on which she is rolling. Throughout the rest of the song, Dylan depicts tragic, continuing downhill spiral of the girl’s life as she tried and failed to live a realistic life after being stripped of her popularity and spoiled lifestyle. The theme of this song is the evil that comes with pride. Dylan wants the audience to know that those who think they are larger than life will plummet. I have always been taught that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled,” and this song served as a reminder for that law of life. Each verse in the song follows an ABCBDDDDE rhyme scheme, and the refrain has an EEFFF rhyme scheme. Dylan used both internal rhyme as well as end rhyme to effectively contribute to the melodic aspect of the song. This song does not have a regular meter, but it uses specific meters at times to add emphasis. For example, “complete unknown” is spondaic, bringing it to the audience’s attention. Dylan also uses numerous symbols throughout the song. For example, in the third verse, the lines “chrome horse with your diplomat” and “who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat” are symbols for wealth and a lavish lifestyle. Overall, this is a great song with an important message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syNLBJ_Lq9E

="Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"=

Well, it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe Even you don't know by now And it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe It'll never do somehow

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn Look out your window, and I'll be gone You're the reason I'm a-traveling on But don't think twice, it's all right.

And it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe The light I never knowed And it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe I'm on the dark side of the road

But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say To try and make me change my mind and stay But we never did too much talking anyway But don't think twice, it's all right.

So it ain't no use in calling out my name, gal Like you never done before And it ain't no use in calling out my name, gal I can't hear you any more

I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road I once loved a woman, a child I am told I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul But don't think twice, it's all right.

So long honey, baby Where I'm bound, I can't tell Goodbye's too good a word, babe So I'll just say fare thee well

I ain't a-saying you treated me unkind You could have done better but I don't mind You just kinda wasted my precious time But don't think twice, it's all right.

--""Don't Think Twice It's All Right" Lyrics." //BOB DYLAN LYRICS//. A-Z Lyrics, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” was yet another of Bob Dylan’s many hits. This song is about the realization that something that could have been great did not turn out as what was hoped for or expected, and in the context of the song, it is a relationship. In the song it is evident that Dylan knows it is for the best to end the relationship, but it hurts him to do so. He wants what is best for both him and the girl he was with, so he moves on and tries to make it as painless as possible. He tells himself and the girl “don’t think twice it’s all right,” so they don’t have regret and remorse. It is clear that he wishes things could have worked out between them when he says, “But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say, to try and make me change my mind and stay.” He still loves her and wishes her the best, but he has made up his mind. This song really speaks to me because I know exactly how Dylan feels from my own experience. He wished for the best, and tried everything he could, but he accepted the worst- that things just would not work. Dylan’s best effort was not enough because “her light was off.” The line, “I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul” is a perfect representation of Dylan’s situation because it shows that what he had to offer was not enough. Throughout the song, Dylan uses figurative language and stylistic elements such as rhyme to enhance the song’s melodic and lyrical effect. The rhyme scheme in this song follows an ABAB pattern in each verse a CCCD pattern in the verses that end in the refrain. Dylan’s use of symbols advances the meaning of the lyrics. For example, he uses her “light” to symbolize her willingness to love back and share a connection. Also, he says he’s “on the dark side of the road,” meaning he is upset about the path he must follow, but it is too late for her light to bring him back. This is a great song that has the ability to effect a wide audience because it is relative to so many people’s lives, and it has a sweet, pleasing melody.



--Car+driving+down+the+road - Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

="Blowin' in the Wind"=

How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannon balls fly Before they're forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist Before it is washed to the sea? Yes, and how many years can some people exist Before they're allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head And pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, and how many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky? Yes, and how many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind.

--""Blowin' In The Wind" Lyrics." //BOB DYLAN LYRICS//. A-Z Lyrics, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2016.

“Blowin’ in the Wind” may be Bob Dylan’s most popular song. It was written in the 1960’s, and was originally intended to emphasize problems faced by African Americans during the Civil Rights era. The lyrics highlight mistreatment and inequality experienced by black males during this time. Though this song was intended for this purpose, it has a general theme of acceptance and awareness of circumstances which can be applied to number of different things such as reaching manhood or standing up for any unpopular idea. Dylan’s main idea in the song lies in the unanswered questions proposed in each verse, and the fact that the answers are out there “blowin’ in the wind,” meaning they are undiscovered. Dylan does a great job of pointing out the societal problems of the time period in this song. In saying “how many ears must one man have, before he can hear people cry" and “how many times can a man turn his head and pretend he just doesn’t see” Dylan perfectly captures the flaws within society. Too many people turn their backs on issues that should clearly be addressed. The questions in each verse should be so easy to answer if people acted upon moral judgment, but people choose to look away because that is what is easy and normal in everyday life. Throughout the poem, Dylan does a great job of using both metaphorical and real-life examples to convey his message. For example, in one line he says, “How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free,” and in another he says “how many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand.” Both lines have a similar meaning, but they are said in two different ways providing both real-world and outside examples in order make sure the audience has a clear idea of the overall message. This song, especially the first verse, reminds me of the line “and miles to go before I sleep” from the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost because the people discussed in this song seem to live in a relentless world that will not grant them rest and peace of mind. As the song advances, it becomes increasingly obvious what the true meaning of the song is, which is an effective technique by Bob Dylan. The song uses both internal and end rhyme, and follows an ABCBDB rhyme scheme in each verse. This is an excellent song by Bob Dylan that leaves a positive impact on anyone who listens to it because of its pure intention and smooth melody.

https://youtu.be/kTWIKZRPey4