Bob Dylan is without doubt one of the finest singer-songwriters of all time. He’s additionally hailed as considered one of America’s best dwelling poets in sure literary circles. Nevertheless, regardless of this popularity, many have been shocked when he received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. I, too, was amazed—and confused. On the time, I used to be a literature scholar. I keep in mind my classmates being divided—some believed Dylan deserved it, others disagreed, and a few didn’t perceive his work in any respect.
Eight years later, whether or not or not Dylan deserved the Nobel stays a sizzling subject. Nonetheless, it was an uncommon selection. After we consider Nobel laureates, we normally think about authors with a protracted catalog of books able to be showcased in bookstores as quickly because the prize is introduced. In 2016, bookstores have been full of Dylan books—although most weren’t written by him. As an alternative, they have been primarily biographies and deep dives into his music. It left many questioning the place Dylan’s poetry or literary genius was hiding. And maybe most significantly for collectors—what to purchase and the place to seek out it. On this article, we’ll dive into gathering Bob Dylan’s poetry and how one can respect it too.
THE FREEWHEELIN’ ALBUMS
Bob Dylan’s songs are so iconic that anyone can sing alongside to them with out pondering twice. Nevertheless, as a fan, I’ve usually realized I didn’t know what some songs have been actually about. It’s solely after sitting down and studying the lyrics that the which means shifted—what appeared like a love music may all of the sudden turn out to be cynical, or a catchy tune could be revealed as sharp social commentary. This tendency is considered one of Dylan’s best strengths: the music attracts you in initially, however in case you pay nearer consideration, the lyrics disguise one other reward.
Dylan earned the title “spokesman of a era” thanks to 2 of his early albums—The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and The Occasions They Are a-Changin’. Even informal followers will acknowledge tracks from these information. On the time, Dylan was deeply within the civil rights and anti-war actions. Nevertheless, dismissing them as only a assortment of “protest songs” could be a mistake. From the start, Dylan’s compositions have been already deeply advanced. Take, for instance, the music “A Onerous Rain’s a-Gonna Fall.” It attracts on French symbolism and vivid imagery if considered as a poem.
By 1965, Dylan had shed his political persona and turned his songwriting to different topics. This era additionally marked Dylan’s shift to electrical devices, which marked controversy within the folks circles on the time. Nevertheless, it was throughout this era that Dylan produced what I consider are his three finest albums—Bringing It All Again House, Freeway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde. The information stand out for a lot of causes. Past simply creating a brand new folk-rock sound, Dylan additionally opted for way more symbolic and surreal lyrics. For those who actually wish to perceive the excitement round Bob Dylan, I extremely advocate including these albums to your assortment.
BOOKS ON THE TRACKS
You’d most likely be shocked to know that Bob Dylan hasn’t written many books himself. Two are broadly in circulation—his memoir Chronicles: Half One and his latest essay assortment The Philosophy of Fashionable Tune. Each are wonderful books, however they’re not precisely poetry collections.
Then there’s The Lyrics, a group of all Dylan’s songs spanning over 60 years. This e-book is up to date each time Dylan releases one thing huge, so there have been many points over time. The Lyrics is strictly that—his lyrics. However it’s most likely the closest factor to a definitive assortment of Dylan’s poetry and a must have for hardcore followers. There have been many variations of The Lyrics over time, however my favourite model is the fiftieth anniversary version in hardcover. It feels premium and jogs my memory of some poetry collections in hardcover that I additionally personal.
Nevertheless, maybe probably the most attention-grabbing Dylan e-book is Tarantula. It could possibly solely be described as an experimental mishmash of poetry and prose—largely panned by critics. Dylan wrote the e-book earlier than his notorious bike accident in 1966, nevertheless it was not formally printed till 1971. For years, many underground magazines and fanzines revealed bootleg variations of the e-book or excerpts bundled along with their hasty—but artful—publications. To me, the bootlegs are probably the most attention-grabbing. There’s one thing distinctly Dylanesque about nonsensical excerpts from a e-book Dylan reportedly didn’t even like, all thrown collectively on a typewriter. Tarantula is the e-book you undoubtedly shouldn’t purchase, however on the identical time, it’s most likely the one which’s value it probably the most.
WHERE TO FIND BOB DYLAN’S POETRY?
For those who’re in search of the music, Dylan’s vinyl information are accessible. The reissues are primarily inside the $20-35 vary, and so they’re high quality recordings. Second-hand vinyls are additionally considerable in document shops and on-line markets. For the early Dylan albums (earlier than the mid-Nineteen Seventies), I personally favor the mono variations. The sound feels extra genuine to me, however in case you benefit from the nuances of stereo, these variations could be extra up your alley.
As for the books, as a lot as I discover the bootleg variations of Tarantula fascinating, the unique 1971 print might be the most effective studying expertise. I wouldn’t say Tarantula is a superb e-book, nevertheless it’s undeniably attention-grabbing—particularly for individuals who respect extra avant-garde poetry. Surprisingly, first editions of Tarantula are simple to seek out on locations like eBay, usually for an inexpensive worth.
There’s additionally one other Dylan e-book I didn’t point out earlier than, titled Writings and Drawings. It’s basically an early ‘70s model of The Lyrics however with Dylan’s art work and different writings sprinkled in. Though it’s been out of print for nearly fifty years, it’s simple to seek out on-line. For those who’re primarily a fan of Dylan’s early stuff, I’d advocate Writings and Drawings over The Lyrics. The e-book has plenty of allure and continues to be comparatively low-cost. For reference, the primary version of the e-book bought for $50 on eBay in Might 2024.
Finally, I consider yow will discover Bob Dylan’s poetry in most of his works, even amongst (a few of) his worst albums. There’s no different artist like Dylan, and whereas a few of his verses could be real head-scratchers, they’re good altogether.
David Espino-Lozada is a author and editor with a ardour for literature and poetry. He has revealed quite a few articles and can also be concerned in writing sci-fi for video video games. An avid collector, David has an intensive assortment of books, music, and classic male clothes. When he’s not writing, he enjoys diving into the depths of the web and libraries, indulging his fascination with the world of collectibles and heirlooms.
WorthPoint—Uncover. Worth. Protect.
