America’s greatest songwriter. Perpetual enigma. Constant live performer. Bob Dylan has created an everlasting body of work that contains dozens of influential, ground-breaking songs. Here are a twelve of my favorite…
The song: Masters Of War (from the album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan)
What makes it great: After nearly 50 years, ‘Masters Of War’ remains one of the most convincing and chilling protest songs against the military industrial complex of the United States – a righteous finger pointed at those who pull the strings on the war machine.
Listen: Masters Of War
The song: Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll (from the album The Times They Are A-Changin’)
What makes it great: Even if Dylan fumbled a few of the facts here, this is still an intense portrait of racism in the 60’s. With a barely controlled fury, Dylan recounts the tale of William Zanzinger, a wealthy tobacco farmer who received a six-month jail sentence for beating a maid to death with his cane.
Listen: Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
The song: Subterranean Homesick Blues (from the album Bringing It All Back Home)
What makes it great: The first hip-hop tune? You be the judge…
Listen: Subterranean Homesick Blues
The song: Highway 61 Revisited (from the album Highway 61 Revisited)
What makes it great: Dylan looks at the highway that connects his native Minnesota to the Mississippi Delta, and finds it strew with gods and kings, and telephones that won’t ring. This is Bobby D at his myth-making best.
Listen: n/a
The song: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (from the album Blonde On Blonde)
What makes it great: Dylan’s a master of imagery, and this is one of his best and brightest pictures.
Listen: n/a
The song: Girl From The North Country (from the album Nashville Skyline)
What makes it great: Not Dylan’s greatest song, but this duet with Johnny Cash makes for a memorable tune featuring two giants of music.
Listen: Girl From The North Country (With Johnny Cash)
The song: Buckets Of Rain (from the album Blood On The Tracks)
What makes it great: Dylan didn’t make many ballads, but this is one of his best. A simple metaphor and sincere tone put this one over…
Listen: Buckets Of Rain
The song: This Wheel’s On Fire (from the album The Basement Tapes)
What makes it great: Filled with Old Testament fury and scorn, this wasn’t the first or last time that Dylan would get biblical on your ass…
Listen: This Wheel’s On Fire
The song: Gotta Serve Somebody (from the album Slow Train Coming)
What makes it great: A terrific reminder that you’re somebody else’s appetizer, no matter where you sit on the food chain.
Listen: Gotta Serve Somebody
The song: Tangled Up In Blue (from the album Real Live)
What makes it great: More short story or movie treatment than mere song, this epic finds two souls ricocheting around the country and occasionally crashing into one another. This live version features compelling alternate lyrics…
Listen: Tangled Up In Blue (Live)
The song: Political World (from the album Oh Mercy)
What makes it great: Dylan practically spits out this disgusted missive on the state of the world that’s enslaved to politics.
Listen: Political World
The song: Love Sick (from the album Time Out Of Mind)
What makes it great: Dylan’s never been what you might call sentimental, but here he sings like a man who’s very soul has been scorched black by love gone bad. To the chagrin of his fans, it would also serve as the soundtrack for his first commercial – for Victoria’s Secret, no less.
Listen: Love Sick
Tags: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Victoria's Secret
6 November 2009 at 12:04 am |
Great collection Thanks
6 November 2009 at 8:43 am |
Excellent list. I always appreciate being spared ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ on one of these lists. Dylan’s lyrical variations of ‘Tangled Up in Blue’ are always great. This would make a great mix to give someone who has never given Dylan a try.
My only beef is that I think you are off on ‘Gotta Serve Somebody,’ the point is that there are no neutral observers. A “part of the solution or part of the problem” sort of message.
6 November 2009 at 9:25 am |
No ‘Like A Rolling Stone’ either. I’ve had enough of that song…
Thanks for your take on ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’ – very interesting. I’ve always taken that song pretty literally – ie, no matter what your job, you always have to answer to the boss. And if you’re a CEO, God will give you the ultimate performance review…