Is Bob Dylan the best songwriter of all time?

Question

Listen to "sad eyes lady of the lowlands", "desolation row", or "visions of johanna" and tell me otherwise...

Answer 1

i think anyone that says bob dylan isn't the greatest songwriter ever, probably hasn't ever heard any bob dylan outside the same 2 or 3 songs on classic rock radio, 'rainy day woman' 'like a rolling stone' and well i guess only 2 songs that ever get played. i think if you went up to paul mccartney and told him he was a better songwriter than bob dylanl, he'd laugh at you.
for over 40 years bob dyaln's songs have been covered by anyone and everyone, often times making it a bigger hit than his own version, due to the fact that they polished it up and made it more radio friendly. his songs have been turned into reggae songs, heavy metal songs, punk songs, country songs and so on. the beatles wrote good songs, but for only 8 years. solo mccartney is less that good. come on, wings had 2 good albums now he's just a relic. lennon was the better part of the songwriting team, and he stand only second to bob dylan.
again, for those who don't know his music, listen to it, you'll be surprised. here are some songs to check out
'man in me'
'tangled up in blue'
'make you feel my love'
'love sick'
'dignity'
please enjoy!!!

Answer 2

Yes--I'd have to say so. One person mentioned McCartney/Lennon, but those two combined didn't write even half as many songs as Dylan. And Dylan (real name: Robert Zimmerman) has withstood the test of time. If you listen to his stuff from the 60's now it still stands up and doesn't sound dated. He has written on alot more serious topics than anyone else too: war, politics, civil rights, racism, injustice, and of course love and love lost. Plus, look how many of his songs have been covered by other artists! And what's amazing about the guy is, after all these years (40?) in the spotlight, and hundreds of interviews, he has remained a mystery. Earlier this year I saw the 4 part PBS special on him by Martin Scorcese and I still have no idea what makes the man tick. I like how he has always messed with the press and rarely gives straight answers.
One thing though: I reckon no one would say he's the greatest SINGER of all time! LOL

Answer 3

Ok, so there's no chance I'm gonna get ten points so I'll tell ya the truth. Steven Wilson of the progressive rock band "Porcupine Tree" is the best songwriter of all time. And the most influencial to the current progressive scene. His lyrics, guitar sounds, and unique production techniques make him the best in the world. If you don't believe me check out his work.

Answer 4

For me, It's Springsteen and Dylan (in that order). But any approach you reduce it, Dylan is correct up close the highest. He transformed rock tune from "She Loves You" to anything with which means.

Answer 5

Of course it would depend on the genre. Assuming, though, that you're limiting it to Western popular music, I think you'd have to include Dylan in the conversation. Clearly taste is individual. Others to include would be Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, John/Paul, and-- if you ask me-- Elvis Costello.

One underrated contemporary songwriter is Patty Griffin-- brilliant.

If you want to broaden the topic a little bit you'd have to include Duke Ellington-- he was unmatched in his time and genre.

Just my 2 cents.

Answer 6

Think of everyone who got rich singing Bob Dylan songs. Jimi Hendrix, Guns N' Roses, the Byrds, Johnny Cash. He held his own too. The man has three greatest hits albums and is still working it. He was sampled by the Beastie Boys. What more do you want? Of course he is the best.

Answer 7

Bob Dylan, I would consider him a poet.

Songwriting involves music being put with lyrics, and most of Dylan's work has very little musical quality. He is not really a very good singer, either.

His words... the way he speaks them and "sings" them...
are some kind of magic. He is a poet.


I♥♫→mia☼☺†

Answer 8

No. John Lennon was the best songwriter of all time. Paul McCartney is a close second.

Dylan's lyrics were self-serving, self-concious and obsessed with how down-trodden he felt. He was fishing for sympathy with everything he sang. He is a shameless martyr. Boring.

Answer 9

Well, Ben.... If he is who YOU feel is the best songwriter, then according to you, he is the best songwriter of all time! Everyone has their own opinions of who they feel is "the best". But I am sure there are tons of Dylan fans out there that would agree with you.

Answer 10

It's art, not a sport. There's no way you can say he is better than another great writer, nor can you say he is worse, only different. Why not say he is one of the all-time greats and leave it at that. Same goes for Lennon-McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Mozart, etc.. It's a matter of personal opinion, like having a preference for chocolate or strawberry ice cream.