Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday kind of sneaked up on me. While as I have noted before my sentiments are mixed about his music, there is no doubt Robert Zimmerman is one of the most significant artists of our time. I feel Dylan’s life has been extensively covered, so instead of putting together yet another biographical write-up, I’d like to celebrate the music poet’s birthday with a list of songs I dig.
It’s hard to believe Dylan has had a close to 60-year recording career. That’s just mind-boggling! I’m generally more drawn to his early work. I will also admit I’m much less familiar with his post mid-’70s catalog. This playlist starts with the first Dylan song I ever heard many moons ago: Blowin’ in the Wind. I still think it’s great. The post wraps up with a tune from his last album Rough and Rowdy Ways, a true late career gem that really surprised me!
Blowin’ in the Wind – The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (May 1963)
The Times They Are a-Changin’ – The Times They Are a-Changin’ (January 1964)
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – Bringing It All Back Home (March 1965)
Like a Rolling Stone – Highway 61 Revisited (August 1965)
Just Like a Woman – Blonde on Blonde (June 1966)
Lay Lady Lay – Nashville Skyline (April 1969)
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (July 1973)
Tangled Up in Blue – Blood on the Tracks (January 1975)
Hurricane – Desire (January 1976)
Goodbye Jimmy Reed – Rough and Rowdy Ways (June 2020)
Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube
Christian's Music Musings 
It’s another rainy day in Vienna. Today I spent little time listening to my (only) three CDs of Bob Dylan.
“The Freewheelin'” is my favorite. I think “Blowin’ in the wind” was also my first Bob-Dylan-song I ever heard or was it “The times they are a-changin”? It’s been a long time…
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Ironically, Dylan was one of my biggest concert disappointments when I saw him in the late ’80s. After opening his set with “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”, he only played songs I had never heard before. Luckily, Roger McGuinn and Tom Petty who were also on the bill saved the night.
Perhaps naively, I had make the mistake to “prepare” for Dylan’s gig by listening to his 1974 “Before the Flood” live album over and over again and expecting the show would essentially mirror it. Big mistake!
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I never saw His Bobness live and I wouldn’t do it because I don’t have enough knowledge about him.
I also remember read a post in the German Springsteen forum years ago in which a member wrote that Bob left the stage only after 35 minutes.
And meanwhile it’s very very very expensive to afford a concert of him.
I can feel the situation of preparing a concert. I did it with Dave Matthews Band and I ended up with songs which are not on the four or five albums I had. Luckily the tix was affordable and it was a nice concert.
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While I honestly don’t remember how much I paid back then, it must have been fairly affordable. I was a university student at the time on a limited budget.
When I shared my experience with my dear music buddy from Germany who also is a huge Dylan fan and has seen him multiple times, he smiled and said, ‘that’s typical Bob.’ I was like, ‘gee, I wish I had known that in advance!’
On the other hand, Roger McGuinn and Tom Petty were great, so I’m still glad I went to see that show.
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I heard “Lay Lady Lay” in the school bus for the very first time when I was 14, and I instantly loved it 🥰 I hardly remember song firsts, but I remember that one!
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So Zimmy finally hit the big 8-0. Good for him. Very tough to pick favorites, but my top 5 are probably: 1) Hazel, 2) Tangled up in Blue, 3) Isis, 4) Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat, and 5) Masters of War
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Isn’t it unreal? And the fact he’s released records for close to 60 years? That’s more than twice the time Jim Morrison lived!
My knowledge of Dylan’s music clearly is spotty, as evidenced by the fact that based on titles, I only recognize “Tangled Up in Blue” from you picks. BTW, that’s one of my favorites! 🙂
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I saw that TUIB was on your list 🙂 You can youtube the other ones if you really want to hear them.
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I have to brush up on my Dylan listening, so I will definitely check them out! Based on your picks, something tells me you’re more familiar with Mr. Zimmerman than I am! 🙂
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Only the earlier stuff, Christian. Hans is the Dylan expert. Let me know what you think of my choices if you do listen ok?
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Thanks, I like all of them!😀
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Isis is in my top 10 too. And Masters of War has done great lines.
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I just listened to both tunes and agree they are great!
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Isis is amazing, how much mileage he gets out of a really simple chord sequence that keeps going for the whole song.
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The lyrics of Isis are mesmerizing and the violin seals the deal for me. I wanted to have one directly political song in my list, and Masters of War is pretty unequivocally political.
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My ten favourites are:
Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
Tangled Up In Blue
Love Minus Zero/No Limit
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Like A Rolling Stone
Visions of Johanna
Isis
Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?
Shelter From The Storm
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These are all great. So far, I guess the consensus is Dylan’s early work up to the mid-70s is his best.
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I’ve only heard a few of his post 1980 albums, but that’s 20 years of stuff already. I find his voice a tough sell on the later stuff.
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One of my post ‘70s exceptions is “Rough and Rowdy Ways”, which I really find intriguing. Even Dylan’s vocals work for me on this one.
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I haven’t heard that one – it did get lots of attention for the singles, so maybe I should.
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I don’t see a bad one in the bunch 🙂
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He has lots to choose from obviously.
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“Masters of War” definitely is remarkable.
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I didn’t realize it was Dylan’s 80th till today and I posted something about it for my (otherwise good people but musically indifferent) Facebook friends. . Good tribute here. I may do a belated one. Not sure exactly in what format. A list? An album review or a fresh look back at an older album? I guess I’ll know when I figure it out.
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Admittedly, I would have forgotten about it, had it not been for a SiriusXM program I listened to last night!
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