"Bob Dylan - It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) with Lyrics" should be on your list of Dylan songs. This song depicts a more cynical side of Dylan, it expresses his anger at what he sees as the hypocrisy, that commercialism brought about, and how consumerism has turned out to be a war like mentality inherent in contemporary American culture. This is why Bob Dylan is one of my favorite artists' He's fearless and brilliant with his prose setting fire to the idea's social hierarchy. Such magical stuff, even to this day.
This was a rallying call to many of that era. It let us know that others were seeing things we saw and couldn't ignore nor follow blindly. I think the message is as relevant today as then. I last saw Dylan in 2008, his song "Ain't Talkin" blew me away, his voice is deeper but his poetic prowess is as sharp as ever. I think you may be poet yourself, your analysis is great.
And to see that same generation complete forget its meaning and do exactly what they criticize. Truly a timeless piece that will never not be relevant.
@@ziggymarlowe5654 Mostly Baby Boomers, Dylan's generation. They rallied behind this song, spreading the message to their parents and other adults. Now you see much of that same generation (mostly politicians) refusing to hear from younger people, refusing to understand the changing of times. This song, for however long it is still heard, will continue to be accurate, telling a story of growing old and refusing the new ways that society works.
"It's Alright, Ma" is an incredible Dylan piece with very profound lyrics.. "Money doesnt talk, it swears..", for an example from that song.. Brilliant reaction, definitely enriched by your command of American history. I appreciate your willingness to look deeper into meaning and symbolism.
💙”So direct yet at the same time so profound” - perfect characterization! 💙 By the by, you might check Leonard Cohen. He’s one of the few who are close to Dylan’s level (not as musician necessarily, but as poet). His story is equally as compelling as Dylan’s as well. It’s such a shame that he never really “made it” in North America. But he was huge in Europe. I think you’ll really dig him.
Not a huge Dylan fan, but this... this is just timeless, and it fits Dylan's voice perfectly. Incredibly iconic; the lyrics really capture a the feel of the era.
Dylan live at Newport in 64, the song “Mr Tamborine Man” a year before he went electric there. You can virtually see the world change as he sings. There is a good video of that performance on RUclips.
I love this reaction and, given that, would like to make these recommendations to you. "Chimes of Freedom" and "Masters of War" are 2 other thematically-chewy, early-Dylan songs with lyrics a rapper would envy, and a later (1974) song with _amazing_ lyrics is "Tangled Up In Blue."
I grew up on Dylan, and I’m a big fan. I think you nailed it all so well, thank you. The verse that always get me begins with, “Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call.” That one is, sadly, always current. Oh, they all are, what do I know? He’s freaking brilliant.
I have truly always regarded Subterranean Homesick Blues as kind of a rap song. Others have mentioned masters of War which is less so but extremely powerful. I would also throw the ballad of Hollis Brown in there as well. It's just him and his acoustic guitar and it's so Stark and the lyrics are just so powerful in the guitar just drones on and that D minor and it's just so killer.
Two other incredible must listen songs from this record are “The Ballad Of Hollis Brown” and “With God On Our Side” (and the album is called The Times They Are A Changing)
Hendrix gets mentioned a lot but the Byrds were first with Dylan's song Mr Tambourine Man which went to #1 on Billboard in 1965. The Byrds also made a big impact on the 1960s, their debut album features four Bob Dylan covers. The Bryds are another band you must check out. Dylan's songs "Positively 4th Street" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" are must listens along with many others in Dylan's catalog.
As a hip hop fan you should check out It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding). The studio version of brilliant, but there is a live version from 1965 with Dylan solo on guitar and harmonica which is prototype rap. Other songs do similar things like Subterranean Homesick Blues, Desolation Row and It's All Over Now, Baby Blue.
The only constant in life is change, and Dylan captured this beautifully in this song which is as relevant today and will still be relevant in 100 years.
Very perceptive comments. It's wonderful to hear how he still connects after all these years. If you want to check out a whole album, there are so many to choose from. Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks are the ones I think most would recommend, but also The FReewheelin' Bob Dylan for an early acoustic album or also Rough & Rowdy Ways, his most recent one, from 2020.
Glad you got it up….not what I meant. It’s hard to overstate the importance of this song. Simply seminal. (Not what I meant, either) I’d love to hear you react to Crosby Stills and Nash’s song Almost Cut My Hair. Another absolute anthemic song. Cheers…
First time watching you. Loved the reaction! This song was one in the soundtrack of my teens. I listen to it today - and it's so poignantly relevant to our times! Brilliant!
with the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, the WW2 and Depression are over, and youth awakening. yah, you got a pretty good handle on it. Stream of consciousness sounding but incredibly focused in his own way...
Definitely another one of Dylan's great pieces of poetry that make you think about what you are doing and why. The words resonate as much now as they did back then. Sadly, too many people don't heed the call to bring about positive change and time passes them by. A different Dylan genre but equally fascinating lyrics and worth listening and reacting to is "Tangled Up In Blue" off the "Blood On The Tracks" album.
I think "If you see her say hello" Is the best of BOtT, but Tangled is awfully great. I actually like the Dylan song I'm listening to better than the last one. How to choose from such an elaborate smorgasbord of genres, themes, and his amazing vocals...
I've been enjoying your Dylan analyses. I was in high school at the time this came out, and I can't tell you how much this song meant to us. It was our anthem. You could still hear Woody Guthrie's influence, but it a beacon to what was to come. I was into the folk scene at the time, and everyone realized that Dylan was something special. It's an oversimplification to say that the folk scene was outraged when he went electric; most of us were intrigued, and accepted it completely. We may have kept on doing what we were doing, but we hung on every Dylan album, excited about what was to come. Thanks!!!!!
I would love to see you reacting to some Dylan from 2000s and see that he's still producing gems. "Working Men's Blues #2", "Mississipi", "Red River Shore".
So many great early Dylan songs, but one of the best in terms of political and social commentary, while piling line upon line like the hardest hitting Hip Hop, is It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding). Well worth the listen
I would love to hear your thoughts on Highway 61 Revisited. One of my favorite Dylan lyrics is in that song: "God said to Abraham, kill me a son. Abe said, man, you must be putting me on. God said no, Abe said what. God said, you can do what you want Abe but, the next time you see me comin' you better run. Abe said, where do you want this killing done? God said, out on Highway 61." They don't write 'em like that anymore.
Your comment about Dylan be so in-tune with the feelings and thoughts of the generation is spot on. But, I would take it even a step further. I believe - especially with this song - that he was not only in tune, but that he was actually one of the causes for that mid to late 60's climate. I feel like this song hit a lot of people like a ton of bricks and was definitely a call-to-arms/warning.
I enjoy all your reactions but especially of Bob Dylan. Please do more of him. You remind me of how brilliant and impactful his songs are. Thank you for your unique perspective. At some point please react to Its All Over Now, Baby Blue, a personal favorite.
Before you decide which Dylan album to review in its entirety, I implore you to hear a couple of songs from his album Blood On The Tracks. Tangled Up In Blue, already suggested, is the opening track.
Th fact you have a handle on history makes your vids that much more enjoyable as you can articulate the times well. Cheers. This was largely about the civil rights movement.
Also, for the definitive word on love gained and lost (including spite and anger), listen to the album Blood on the Tracks. To understand the many faces of Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman), read Ian Bell's 2012 biography, Once Upon a Time: The Lives of Bob Dylan.
Still playing catch up Syed. Since I have been watching, you have advanced in knowledge and analysis so far. I'm so very glad you are liking Dylan, it's a whole life term you know; you will always listen to him.
The student music in the USA in the early 60s was folk music which was closely tied to the civil rights movement. Dylan became it's spokesman with an astonishing number of "protest" and social comment anthems. At the same time the rock music of the 60s was developing in Britain and in 64 the Brit invasion took place kicking off the resurgence of rock in the US which had died in 58/59. It is said that Dylan heard the Animals' version of House of the Rising Sun (though it's never known how true these stories are with Dylan) which was a song included on Dylan's first album - Dylan vocals with acoustic guitar. He came to realise that there were too many limitations in acoustic music and so took up the electric guitar and began to transform the new rock. To see the astonishing transformation between 64 and 65 you should react to the two videos from the Newport Folk Festival with Dylan singing Mr Tambourine Man in 64 and Maggies Farm in 65 (including the howls of protest from the folk crowd of 65 :) It would make an excellent reaction video and very enlightening about the incredible innovation taking place in 60s music and Dylan's influence on it.
I love that you understand the history behind it all. Another great lyricist is Tom Waits. He takes you into the streets and homes. Try his song "Tom Tromboldts blues"
I love your reaction videos. Although most of the songs you've picked I'm familiar with, they encourage me to pay attention to the lyrics - and to actually listen rather than just hear again. I've been a Dylan fan for many many years - if I can recommend listening to a story telling form of song that Dylan does so well that would be interesting. Perhaps "Black Diamond Bay" or "Lily, Rosemary and The Jack Of Hearts."
Great video. This song was on the title track on his Times They Are a Changin' album. From this point on Dylan begins to move away from political music and protest songs, although never entirely. An interesting one to do next would be Murder Most Foul. It makes a great contrast to the youthful idealism of this song. It's from 2020 and provides a great history of America in the last 60 years. The central theme being the fracture of the USA that flowed from the assassination of Kennedy.
Great reaction. Maybe you should check out Woody Guthrie, try the song “Dust Bowl Refugee” but there are many good songs. Maybe “Hard Traveling” would be better as it’s a little more Dylan like.
Great reaction.. One man.. No drums No bass Like he's sitting on your couch..lol G.O.A.T. Try 'Hurricane'.. hundreds more.. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts . Hollis Brown.. Black Diamond Bay..
Dylan can be an acquired taste for sure, not necessarily love at first listen for everyone. But as you said, the more you listen the more your ears adjust and his music/lyrics/voice work their magic on your very soul! Great analysis as always! Looking forward to a full Dylan album!
Dylan got some big award for this song, I love his songs, the 60's were just the best music every song was so GOOD!! you need to listen to Diamonds and rust by Joan Baez its a great song in the 60's . it won't disapoint!!
anyone that actually listens to Dylan and lets the voice flow will be shocked at how deep his lyrics are and the guitar playing is world class. absolutely wonderful.
Yes, brilliant stuff. I remember reading about how Hendrix was so excited about Dylan's music and lyrics that he continually said to his current girlfriend of the time 'Aw c'mon you gotta listen to this'. And the influence on him is evident, I think, in songs like 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp', and 'The Wind Cries Mary'. And as you were speaking of Highway 61, I would highly suggest you listen to Johnny Winter's respectful and brilliant version of that, from the Second Winter album..
Hi, Syed. I think this is probably the song that predicts the upheaval that occurred in the '60s. It was a decade that had so much going on, from the civil rights fight to hippies to political assassinations.
Great album to cover: Bringing It All Back Home. I listened to it all my life, but recently I picked up a copy after not having listened to it for a while and it struck me how poetic it was, even moreso than his other works. The first half of the album is electric, the second half is acoustic. So you have the best of both worlds.
I saw Dylan in the late 70s. This was his encore, and his signature song. The one theme that goes right through Dylan is the encounter with time. Time out of Mind. "One time he could have been champion of the world..." It is a serious theme in his work. Change and permanence.
I am 76. I have been listening to him since he first started. His brilliance as a song writer is unmatched. Nobody in the history of music has produced the quality and quantity that Dylan has.
Dylan influenced The Beatles and Lennon massively, especially that time he got them high for the first time in that New York City hotel room. 😶🌫️🥴🤤 Great idea to do a whole Dylan album. Highway 61 or Blonde on Blonde would be the obvious first choices. But if you want to really do something different you could do The Basement Tapes! Haven’t seen any reviewers touch that yet, and yet it’s one of Dylan’s (AND The Band’s) most epic recordings. 🎸🔥
Nobel laureate. Greatest poet of his generation. So much for you to hear from Dylan. This is early catalog. Plugs in, and was criticized for it. "Gotta Serve Somebody" will blow your mind.
The ONLY singer/songwriter to win the Nobel Prize in Literature...Bob Dylan. To think that he is playing two different melodies on guitar and harmonica...simultaneously. Mind blowing. ✌😎
This was the first album that I ever bought. Must have been around 1963. Took me weeks to save up for it. It cemented my admiration for Mr Dylan. Restless Farewell on the same album is worth listening to, although I prefer Joan Baez's version. The album "The Freewheeling Bob Dylan" album is littered with absolute gems . That's definitely worth a look. Thanks for another interesting analysis. Just subscribed.👍
At this time in early 60's music genres were not as mixed , Country, folk ,Jazz, blues etc.. had distinct categories which would eventually start to blend together as artists pioneered new directions... Dylan had fans that only wanted him to play acoustic folk music ...he did much more however !
Hello my friend, I've recently discovered your channel, and became a subscriber. I've been watching multiple music reaction channels, but until I discovered yours...I wasn't quite fulfilled by any analysis of these songs I've been listening to for 50 yrs. I am finally impressed and satisfied by reactions to the songs you listen to. The depth of understanding of the lyrics and the musicianship is stellar. I appreciate it very much. I'm not sure yet how you choose which songs to react to, but I'd like to suggest one, or at least an artist that you can choose to react to. I'm on disability unfortunately, so I don't have much money or I would donate to your patreon, which I'm sure you have. If you choose not to honor a suggestion from me, I understand...and will certainly continue watching your vids. But, I hope you would at least consider my suggestion. Jackson Browne is my personal favorite singer\songwriter, and I would like to see you react to 'Farther On' from his late for the sky album. However, it you decide on another...such as the title track, which was actually on the soundtrack of the movie taxi, with Robert Dinero, I wouldn't be upset! Though he has many, many, very emotionally and psychologically in depth songs to choose from, I don't know if you are familiar with his work. Anyway, thank you for your time and your great reactions. The best I think. Michael Kane
The list is long obviously, but I think you dig the lyricism and imagery so I would like A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, and Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.
I agree with the comment below about doing ‘Tangled Up in Blue’ next. But if you really want to hear the song where he truly did “create” hip hop, then do ‘It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only bleeding)’. Love the channel.
Hip Hop relies a lot on words or its power. Dylan is perhaps the most powerful lyricist of our lifetimes. Tangled up in Blue next.
I reallyyyy want this song next too, and then all of Blood on the Tracks for the album review. I can think of none better.
Tangled up in Blue is fabulous.
Yep.
Be quiet, listen to the whole album.
Then speak.
#Aloha
Yessir..not perhaps..lol..he is the G.O.A T.
"Bob Dylan - It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) with Lyrics" should be on your list of Dylan songs. This song depicts a more cynical side of Dylan, it expresses his anger at what he sees as the hypocrisy, that commercialism brought about, and how consumerism has turned out to be a war like mentality inherent in contemporary American culture. This is why Bob Dylan is one of my favorite artists' He's fearless and brilliant with his prose setting fire to the idea's social hierarchy. Such magical stuff, even to this day.
Dylan really was fearless. Ballad of Donald White really shows that he would say things that people just plain didn't say back then.
@Zenhael Cero thanks for this recommendation. I just pulled it up on Google.
This was a rallying call to many of that era. It let us know that others were seeing things we saw and couldn't ignore nor follow blindly. I think the message is as relevant today as then. I last saw Dylan in 2008, his song "Ain't Talkin" blew me away, his voice is deeper but his poetic prowess is as sharp as ever. I think you may be poet yourself, your analysis is great.
Hear Hear
yep
And to see that same generation complete forget its meaning and do exactly what they criticize. Truly a timeless piece that will never not be relevant.
@@yelljal2764 ? what generation are you speaking to?
@@ziggymarlowe5654 Mostly Baby Boomers, Dylan's generation. They rallied behind this song, spreading the message to their parents and other adults. Now you see much of that same generation (mostly politicians) refusing to hear from younger people, refusing to understand the changing of times.
This song, for however long it is still heard, will continue to be accurate, telling a story of growing old and refusing the new ways that society works.
Do "masters of war" or "a hard Rain's gonna fall" from free wheeling Bob Dylan . You want lyrics , these 2 are master pieces way ahead of their time .
"It's Alright, Ma" is an incredible Dylan piece with very profound lyrics..
"Money doesnt talk, it swears..", for an example from that song..
Brilliant reaction, definitely enriched by your command of American history. I appreciate your willingness to look deeper into meaning and symbolism.
💙”So direct yet at the same time so profound” - perfect characterization! 💙
By the by, you might check Leonard Cohen. He’s one of the few who are close to Dylan’s level (not as musician necessarily, but as poet). His story is equally as compelling as Dylan’s as well. It’s such a shame that he never really “made it” in North America. But he was huge in Europe. I think you’ll really dig him.
I suggested "Suzanne".
Not a huge Dylan fan, but this... this is just timeless, and it fits Dylan's voice perfectly. Incredibly iconic; the lyrics really capture a the feel of the era.
Dylan live at Newport in 64, the song “Mr Tamborine Man” a year before he went electric there. You can virtually see the world change as he sings. There is a good video of that performance on RUclips.
The rhymes, meter and wordplay are just brilliant. All in service of meaning. True genius.
I love this reaction and, given that, would like to make these recommendations to you. "Chimes of Freedom" and "Masters of War" are 2 other thematically-chewy, early-Dylan songs with lyrics a rapper would envy, and a later (1974) song with _amazing_ lyrics is "Tangled Up In Blue."
"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" don't forget that one .
Great suggestions
Love listening to you young guys thinkin' on Dylan .. makes me smile .
I grew up on Dylan, and I’m a big fan. I think you nailed it all so well, thank you. The verse that always get me begins with, “Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call.” That one is, sadly, always current. Oh, they all are, what do I know? He’s freaking brilliant.
This one makes me cry.
And it's all happening again.
Still waiting for ‘It’s Alright Ma (I’m only bleeding)’! 🤯🤯🤯
I have truly always regarded Subterranean Homesick Blues as kind of a rap song. Others have mentioned masters of War which is less so but extremely powerful. I would also throw the ballad of Hollis Brown in there as well. It's just him and his acoustic guitar and it's so Stark and the lyrics are just so powerful in the guitar just drones on and that D minor and it's just so killer.
Thus the Nobel Prize. ❤️🙏🇨🇦
Two other incredible must listen songs from this record are “The Ballad Of Hollis Brown” and “With God On Our Side” (and the album is called The Times They Are A Changing)
Your ability to connect to profound literary lyrics transcends the genre and artist. Fun to listen to you.
Hendrix gets mentioned a lot but the Byrds were first with Dylan's song Mr Tambourine Man which went to #1 on Billboard in 1965. The Byrds also made a big impact on the 1960s, their debut album features four Bob Dylan covers. The Bryds are another band you must check out. Dylan's songs "Positively 4th Street" and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" are must listens along with many others in Dylan's catalog.
Byrds did several Dylan songs.
Saw him in Seattle and it was so unreal to me… he was such a legend , didn’t ever think I would ever see him in concert!
I love your Dylan reactions. Cool that you have so many epic songs left by him!
As a hip hop fan you should check out It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding). The studio version of brilliant, but there is a live version from 1965 with Dylan solo on guitar and harmonica which is prototype rap. Other songs do similar things like Subterranean Homesick Blues, Desolation Row and It's All Over Now, Baby Blue.
The only constant in life is change, and Dylan captured this beautifully in this song which is as relevant today and will still be relevant in 100 years.
Very perceptive comments. It's wonderful to hear how he still connects after all these years. If you want to check out a whole album, there are so many to choose from. Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks are the ones I think most would recommend, but also The FReewheelin' Bob Dylan for an early acoustic album or also Rough & Rowdy Ways, his most recent one, from 2020.
I think this song really captures the spirit of the times in which it was written. One of my favourites.
Glad you got it up….not what I meant.
It’s hard to overstate the importance of this song. Simply seminal. (Not what I meant, either)
I’d love to hear you react to Crosby Stills and Nash’s song Almost Cut My Hair. Another absolute anthemic song.
Cheers…
First time watching you. Loved the reaction! This song was one in the soundtrack of my teens. I listen to it today - and it's so poignantly relevant to our times! Brilliant!
these lyrics are timeless.... as true today as they were then... and probably 1000 years from now
"The loser now will be later to win" is a reference to the US military draft for the vietnam war. Numbers were called by birthday.
with the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, the WW2 and Depression are over, and youth awakening. yah, you got a pretty good handle on it. Stream of consciousness sounding but incredibly focused in his own way...
Definitely another one of Dylan's great pieces of poetry that make you think about what you are doing and why. The words resonate as much now as they did back then. Sadly, too many people don't heed the call to bring about positive change and time passes them by.
A different Dylan genre but equally fascinating lyrics and worth listening and reacting to is "Tangled Up In Blue" off the "Blood On The Tracks" album.
The Whole Album.
#Aloha
I think "If you see her say hello" Is the best of BOtT, but Tangled is awfully great. I actually like the Dylan song I'm listening to better than the last one. How to choose from such an elaborate smorgasbord of genres, themes, and his amazing
vocals...
He stood in the Zeitgeist and named it for us. I love Bob. Thank you 😊
I've been enjoying your Dylan analyses. I was in high school at the time this came out, and I can't tell you how much this song meant to us. It was our anthem. You could still hear Woody Guthrie's influence, but it a beacon to what was to come. I was into the folk scene at the time, and everyone realized that Dylan was something special. It's an oversimplification to say that the folk scene was outraged when he went electric; most of us were intrigued, and accepted it completely. We may have kept on doing what we were doing, but we hung on every Dylan album, excited about what was to come. Thanks!!!!!
Two best "phrasing" singers I know. Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan, They both could take a lyric and do things with them no one else can
Much respect, I love your Dylan reactions, you have a great analysis of the lyrics
I would love to see you reacting to some Dylan from 2000s and see that he's still producing gems. "Working Men's Blues #2", "Mississipi", "Red River Shore".
So many great early Dylan songs, but one of the best in terms of political and social commentary, while piling line upon line like the hardest hitting Hip Hop, is It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding). Well worth the listen
I would love to hear your thoughts on Highway 61 Revisited. One of my favorite Dylan lyrics is in that song: "God said to Abraham, kill me a son. Abe said, man, you must be putting me on. God said no, Abe said what. God said, you can do what you want Abe but, the next time you see me comin' you better run. Abe said, where do you want this killing done? God said, out on Highway 61." They don't write 'em like that anymore.
Your comment about Dylan be so in-tune with the feelings and thoughts of the generation is spot on. But, I would take it even a step further. I believe - especially with this song - that he was not only in tune, but that he was actually one of the causes for that mid to late 60's climate. I feel like this song hit a lot of people like a ton of bricks and was definitely a call-to-arms/warning.
I enjoy all your reactions but especially of Bob Dylan. Please do more of him. You remind me of how brilliant and impactful his songs are. Thank you for your unique perspective. At some point please react to Its All Over Now, Baby Blue, a personal favorite.
His voice..that clarity...and the words he chooses,..draws you in...
Before you decide which Dylan album to review in its entirety, I implore you to hear a couple of songs from his album Blood On The Tracks. Tangled Up In Blue, already suggested, is the opening track.
Yeah, that and Shelter From The Storm are amazing lyrically.
Th fact you have a handle on history makes your vids that much more enjoyable as you can articulate the times well. Cheers. This was largely about the civil rights movement.
Also, for the definitive word on love gained and lost (including spite and anger), listen to the album Blood on the Tracks. To understand the many faces of Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman), read Ian Bell's 2012 biography, Once Upon a Time: The Lives of Bob Dylan.
Thanks Syed! 72 here..what a renaissance it was!
When the Ship comes in ~ might be my favourite from that phase
Dude, Not Dark Yet is peak late Dylan and utterly heart-breaking.
Every time you do Dylan....I'll be watching and happily listening
Still playing catch up Syed. Since I have been watching, you have advanced in knowledge and analysis so far. I'm so very glad you are liking Dylan, it's a whole life term you know; you will always listen to him.
The student music in the USA in the early 60s was folk music which was closely tied to the civil rights movement. Dylan became it's spokesman with an astonishing number of "protest" and social comment anthems.
At the same time the rock music of the 60s was developing in Britain and in 64 the Brit invasion took place kicking off the resurgence of rock in the US which had died in 58/59.
It is said that Dylan heard the Animals' version of House of the Rising Sun (though it's never known how true these stories are with Dylan) which was a song included on Dylan's first album - Dylan vocals with acoustic guitar. He came to realise that there were too many limitations in acoustic music and so took up the electric guitar and began to transform the new rock.
To see the astonishing transformation between 64 and 65 you should react to the two videos from the Newport Folk Festival with Dylan singing Mr Tambourine Man in 64 and Maggies Farm in 65 (including the howls of protest from the folk crowd of 65 :)
It would make an excellent reaction video and very enlightening about the incredible innovation taking place in 60s music and Dylan's influence on it.
Theres an argument that Its alright ma was actually the first rap song. Id like to hear your thoughts on that amazing track
Great reaction again..
Had to rewatch...
Shakespeare with a guitar..
As a hip hop fan, you’ll enjoy Subterranean Homesick Blues
I’d also like to see react to Tangled Up In Blue
I love that you understand the history behind it all. Another great lyricist is Tom Waits. He takes you into the streets and homes. Try his song "Tom Tromboldts blues"
I love your reaction videos. Although most of the songs you've picked I'm familiar with, they encourage me to pay attention to the lyrics - and to actually listen rather than just hear again. I've been a Dylan fan for many many years - if I can recommend listening to a story telling form of song that Dylan does so well that would be interesting. Perhaps "Black Diamond Bay" or "Lily, Rosemary and The Jack Of Hearts."
"It's Alright, Ma" Dylan
Your analysis is spot on. Although times were changing, same cycle still continues and that’s why song is still relevant
Shakespeare with a guitar!!!
Great video. This song was on the title track on his Times They Are a Changin' album. From this point on Dylan begins to move away from political music and protest songs, although never entirely.
An interesting one to do next would be Murder Most Foul. It makes a great contrast to the youthful idealism of this song. It's from 2020 and provides a great history of America in the last 60 years. The central theme being the fracture of the USA that flowed from the assassination of Kennedy.
Great reaction. Maybe you should check out Woody Guthrie, try the song “Dust Bowl Refugee” but there are many good songs. Maybe “Hard Traveling” would be better as it’s a little more Dylan like.
Jumping ahead one decade, you get the brilliance of "Tangled Up in Blue". An amazing work. If you like lyrics, this one's got them.
I love and appreciate your analysis so much. Dylan is my favorite. I also love Tom Waits. Would you consider reviewing some of his tunes?
Great reaction..
One man..
No drums
No bass
Like he's sitting on your couch..lol
G.O.A.T.
Try 'Hurricane'..
hundreds more..
Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts .
Hollis Brown..
Black Diamond Bay..
“Black Diamond Bay” -heck yeah!
I've read a number of your analysis of Dylan songs. Very interesting, Well Done.
Thank you for playing Bob. Your reaction is marvelous 👍
If you like hip hop and Dylan you should do idiot wind next, it is almost like a disstrack.
definitely this song. its my dad's favorite Dylan song too. really all of Blood on the Tracks is good. Also a good disstrack: positively 4th street.
I've just discovered your reactions and am loving them.
Dylan can be an acquired taste for sure, not necessarily love at first listen for everyone. But as you said, the more you listen the more your ears adjust and his music/lyrics/voice work their magic on your very soul! Great analysis as always! Looking forward to a full Dylan album!
Makes me so happy that you connect with dylan and can respect it
Dylan got some big award for this song, I love his songs, the 60's were just the best music every song was so GOOD!! you need to listen to Diamonds and rust by Joan Baez its a great song in the 60's . it won't disapoint!!
anyone that actually listens to Dylan and lets the voice flow will be shocked at how deep his lyrics are and the guitar playing is world class. absolutely wonderful.
Yes, brilliant stuff. I remember reading about how Hendrix was so excited about Dylan's music and lyrics that he continually said to his current girlfriend of the time 'Aw c'mon you gotta listen to this'. And the influence on him is evident, I think, in songs like 'Burning of the Midnight Lamp', and 'The Wind Cries Mary'. And as you were speaking of Highway 61, I would highly suggest you listen to Johnny Winter's respectful and brilliant version of that, from the Second Winter album..
"Tonight, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why."
I always remember this quote whenever I listen to this song.
Loving your reactions to Dylan, man. The joy in your eyes as you listen tells the story. More Bob please.
Hi, Syed. I think this is probably the song that predicts the upheaval that occurred in the '60s. It was a decade that had so much going on, from the civil rights fight to hippies to political assassinations.
Great album to cover: Bringing It All Back Home. I listened to it all my life, but recently I picked up a copy after not having listened to it for a while and it struck me how poetic it was, even moreso than his other works. The first half of the album is electric, the second half is acoustic. So you have the best of both worlds.
The best story teller of the truth and reality!
Thanks!
once again Ken, thanks for the unbelievable support!
Not folk music, nor rock-n-roll, would ever be the same again.
Album review do Highway 61 or Bringing It All Back Home
I saw Dylan in the late 70s. This was his encore, and his signature song. The one theme that goes right through Dylan is the encounter with time. Time out of Mind. "One time he could have been champion of the world..." It is a serious theme in his work. Change and permanence.
Thanks Syed.....you're smart, and perceptive. Keep it up. 👌
I am 76. I have been listening to him since he first started. His brilliance as a song writer is unmatched. Nobody in the history of music has produced the quality and quantity that Dylan has.
Dylan influenced The Beatles and Lennon massively, especially that time he got them high for the first time in that New York City hotel room. 😶🌫️🥴🤤
Great idea to do a whole Dylan album. Highway 61 or Blonde on Blonde would be the obvious first choices. But if you want to really do something different you could do The Basement Tapes! Haven’t seen any reviewers touch that yet, and yet it’s one of Dylan’s (AND The Band’s) most epic recordings. 🎸🔥
Nobel laureate. Greatest poet of his generation.
So much for you to hear from Dylan. This is early catalog.
Plugs in, and was criticized for it. "Gotta Serve Somebody" will blow your mind.
Brilliant analysis, Dylan doesn’t waste a word.
Listen to Dylan from the age of 12 what a genius 52 now still listening to him always will 🎸😄🏴
The ONLY singer/songwriter to win the Nobel Prize in Literature...Bob Dylan. To think that he is playing two different melodies on guitar and harmonica...simultaneously. Mind blowing. ✌😎
Difficult to say which album should be concentrated on: Blood on the Tracks maybe?
So simple, yet so deep...
Try Dylans "Tangled up in Blue", studio version, one of my favorites.
Anything from Time Out of Mind or Blood on the Tracks albums, you can't go wrong.
This was the first album that I ever bought. Must have been around 1963. Took me weeks to save up for it. It cemented my admiration for Mr Dylan. Restless Farewell on the same album is worth listening to, although I prefer Joan Baez's version. The album "The Freewheeling Bob Dylan" album is littered with absolute gems . That's definitely worth a look. Thanks for another interesting analysis. Just subscribed.👍
At this time in early 60's music genres were not as mixed , Country, folk ,Jazz, blues etc.. had distinct categories which would eventually start to blend together as artists pioneered new directions... Dylan had fans that only wanted him to play acoustic folk music ...he did much more however !
Dylan spoke about Gord Lightfoot being an inspiration. Lightfoot was a great lyricist
Hello my friend, I've recently discovered your channel, and became a subscriber. I've been watching multiple music reaction channels, but until I discovered yours...I wasn't quite fulfilled by any analysis of these songs I've been listening to for 50 yrs. I am finally impressed and satisfied by reactions to the songs you listen to. The depth of understanding of the lyrics and the musicianship is stellar. I appreciate it very much. I'm not sure yet how you choose which songs to react to, but I'd like to suggest one, or at least an artist that you can choose to react to. I'm on disability unfortunately, so I don't have much money or I would donate to your patreon, which I'm sure you have. If you choose not to honor a suggestion from me, I understand...and will certainly continue watching your vids. But, I hope you would at least consider my suggestion.
Jackson Browne is my personal favorite singer\songwriter, and I would like to see you react to 'Farther On' from his late for the sky album.
However, it you decide on another...such as the title track, which was actually on the soundtrack of the movie taxi, with Robert Dinero, I wouldn't be upset! Though he has many, many, very emotionally and psychologically in depth songs to choose from, I don't know if you are familiar with his work.
Anyway, thank you for your time and your great reactions. The best I think. Michael Kane
Albums: Blonde on Blonde or Highway 61 Revisited - would love to hear you do an analysis of either.
Great reaction to a true original! Dylan leaves me speechless!
The list is long obviously, but I think you dig the lyricism and imagery so I would like A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, and Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.
I agree with the comment below about doing ‘Tangled Up in Blue’ next. But if you really want to hear the song where he truly did “create” hip hop, then do ‘It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only bleeding)’.
Love the channel.