A Tribute to Bob Dylan

It was a weekday night when I watched Bob Dylan’s biopic, A Complete Unknown. As the moon gleamed, I was awed at Timothee Chalamet’s ability to recreate Dylan’s iconic accent, charm, and musical presence. Most importantly, it taught me the profound impact of an artist’s struggle between society’s expectations and maintaining creative freedom. The songs I enjoyed passingly shared the tribulations of a man’s struggle with fame and his acclaimed folk music identity. In tribute to the film and Dylan’s early career, here is a list of my favorite Bob Dylan songs that remain on loop:

Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

In the 1960s, folk music remained a rare genre of original pieces. However, Dylan’s ability to write calm, relatable folk music made him stand out in the New York folk scene. This song, a testament to his songwriting talents, was my introduction to his discography. With its timeless and peaceful cadence, I remained hooked on this song about heartbreak. The calm plucking of the guitar strings and his raspy vocals appeal to the vulnerability of young love, evoking a deep emotional connection.

Like A Rolling Stone

Dylan made history at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival when he switched his acoustic guitar for electric. A shock to fans of traditional folk music, where acoustic guitar remains a testament to the festival and tribute to the genre. However, instead of following the status quo, Dylan made history by embracing the 1960s wall of sound approach, where electric guitars, organs, drums, and bass create a harmonious blend of blues, rock, and folk. The song “Like A Rolling Stone” inspired the film title and displays Dylan’s ability to not stick to one genre but experiment with new sounds, leaving us intrigued and appreciative of his musical versatility.

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

“Like a Rollin Stone” by Bob Dylan

It Aint Me, Babe

A duet sung between former partners Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perfectly encapsulates being in love with the wrong person. In the film, the duet depicts the relationship between Baez and Dylan and its tribulations. While the film recreates the song adequately, the original version has raw authenticity and is a timeless earworm. The chemistry between Baez’s soprano vocals and Dylan’s tenor rasp remains undeniable. This duet is an authentic tribute to the power of folk music and its ability to make a great song with only vocals and acoustic guitar.

The Times They Are A-Changin’

With the strum of a guitar and a harmonic solo, Dylan reflects the 1960s political climate. The song reflects on the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and President Kennedy’s assassination. In a time when these events had Americans distrust the government, idealize independent freedom, and remain unsure of their future holdings, the song provided solace in America’s rocky waters, enlightening us about the historical significance of Dylan’s music.

Blowin’ in the Wind

One of Dylan’s most infamous songs from his well-acclaimed album The Freewheelin Bob Dylan. The song remains a tribute to the Civil Rights Movement faced by black Americans at the time. The song is a comfort to the unknown answers of the time; similar to The Times They Are a Changing; it holds claim to the political climate. A simple guitar pluck and a notion of ease during an uneasy part of history encapsulate Dylan’s demeanor in one song.

The film and discography have made me respect Bob Dylan’s artistic abilities. Among an intense shift in American culture, Dylan’s music acts as a time capsule of a society that fights against the status core and embraces creative freedom. These songs remain special in my heart, and I hope it does the same for Coog Radio readers.