WHY is Bob Dylan considered to be a great talent?

Question

Seriously, why?

Myself, I think it's just a matter of sheep following the herd. But what's your opinion?

I disagree, murray. His lyrics are alright, but what's the point when your voice is so grating that it makes people want to vomit? :P

Maybe I'd think more of him if hadn't tried to sing.....

Damned typos. ...if *he* hadn't tried to sing....

((((link955!!!))))

Hi, babe!

Answer 1

For me part of the charm is that voice. I like quirky things, and yes, he has a less than melodious voice, but I still consider him to be good. He's written some of my favorite songs: "My Back Pages", "Blowin' in the Wind", "All Along the Watchtower", "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", "All I Really Want to Do", and "It Ain't Me Babe" to name a few. Also, my taste in music is quite eclectic. Besides liking groups like Green Day and the Romones, I also really like the 60's folk music. He helped that happen, so I like him.

Answer 2

Well, first off he's the greatest song-writer of all time. I don't know of any other lyricist who has entire college courses based upon their writing. And just because you're not accustomed to the style of Dylan's voice doesn't mean he can't sing. He hits all the notes he would like, he can hold his breath as long as any other of his peers. Just because you don't like his tone doesn't mean the man can't sing.

He said things people were afraid to say in the 60's. (See: Only a Pawn in their Game where he blames the United States government for the racism against african americans in the country) He brought the punk attitude to rock, and before him the Beatles were singing "I wanna hold your hand." He had incalculable impact on folk and rock music as he broke the barriers down between folk and rock, and created the sound of country rock on his own. Not to mention he invented a few song-stanza methods.

If you want to understand the genius of Bob... here are a few good songs to listen to.
Desolation Row
A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall
Visions of Johanna
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding

Random video plug: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1PDaw7s3pY (Lyrics are to the right)

Answer 3

I only start with Blonde on Blonde, where he explored new ways of songwriting that broke old rules. He always rejected the "prophet" label, never was part of the political left, and in reading his biography, he switched as a teen from rock to folk because that was a faster path to fame.

So, I give him credit for opening new doors. But having seen him twice in concert, he is the most BORING performer ever. Completely disconnected from his audience.

I can remember in the 1960s through the late 70s, it was blasphemous to criticize Dylan at all, like he was a mystic. He laughed all the way to the bank.

He's just an entertainer who wanted to make it out of a small mining town in Minnesota, and did.

Answer 4

Since you seem to have already decided how you feel, I'm probably just wasting my time, but...

Dylan is one of the most important musicians of the twentieth (and now twenty first) century. Right alongside Ellington, Armstrong, Caruso, and Bob Marley. I don't know who you listen to, but I don't need to. I can say with certainty that they, or, depending on your age, their mentors, were directly influenced by Dylan. He wasn't the first rock & roller to write his own songs, that distinction goes to Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry, but he was the first to write at the level that he did and the first to write about the themes he did . He has consistenly been a (unwilling) leader and beacon that EVERYBODY followed. When he went electric, every sensitive folkie followed suit. Sales of acoustic guitars throughout the western world plummeted and sales of electric guitars skyrocketed. When he went to Nashville to record, everyone from the Byrds to the Jefferson Airplane to Neil Diamond started getting in touch with their 'country roots". Without Dylan, no country rock. In the span of eighteen months he recorded Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde-three of the seminal recordings in all of American music. As for his voice-many don't like it, many do. Louis Armstrong had an awful voice also but he (and Bob) could convey the essence of a song like few others.

I hesitate to contradict my brother Corrosion, but as far as the folk path to success-I just finished reding Dave Van Ronk's autobiography, and he put's the lie to that myth very well. Dylan made his statements on the subject following the '65 Newport Folk Festival debacle when he was being tarred and feathered by the folk establishment. It was basically a way of saying "Oh yeah? well I never liked that **** anyway". As Van Ronk says the idea of folk as a path to success is a "complete crock". There was NO money to be made from the kind of folk Dylan was singing UNTIL Dylan made it possible.

Answer 5

Never liked him.

However, it's really fun to sing ANY song in the Bob Dylan fashion. Speaking of Britney, try singing Toxic in Dylan-ese. It's funny.

Answer 6

You got me. His singing (a term I use loosely, at best) always grated on my nerves. I do enjoy some of his lyrics, but overall I don't see what the fuss is about. On the other hand, who can explain why Britney Spears became famous?


((((JMD))))

Answer 7

Personally I think he's a pretty great songwriter, he's just an absolutely awful musician. Every song of his sounds better when it's covered by someone else.

Answer 8

he's an excellent musician and his lyrics are very "deep" (if you can understand them)

Answer 9

i think he's kinda sexy, but i wouldn't let him sing to me in bed.