100 Days
of Bob Dylan
My Journey to Ascertain the Genius that is Bob Dylan
How Does it Feel?
The first morning I woke up at college, someone in my dorm had these two huge speakers turned facing out of his window and blaring, “Like a Rolling Stone.” It was the first real day out on your own and you hear, “How does it feel to be on your own, away from home, like a rolling stone?”
Since that first day at State University of New York in 1973, my father has grown a deep appreciation for Bob Dylan. As a Milennial, this same adoration did not come naturally. I just didn’t get it. Why Bob Dylan? He’s not even a good singer. His lyrics don’t really make sense. Why do people think he’s the best songwriter?
In an effort to get to know my father on a deeper level, and to understand the impacts of Bob Dylan’s legacy, I set out on a journey to explore the music for myself. Part of the expedition included this book, “Dylan: 100 Songs and Pictures” by Peter Doggett.
Each song posted here includes content from this book along with other sources I cited where applicable.
BOOK: “Dylan: 100 Songs & Pictures”
Blog Posts
Bob Dylan – Song #64: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Link to Song: Knockin' On Heaven's Door What you should know about this song: Dylan recorded this "heart-stoppingly poignant ballad" in 1973 as part of the soundtrack for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. It became a hit single that year, and since has been covered by...
Bob Dylan – Song #63: “When I Paint My Masterpiece”
Link to Song: When I Paint My Masterpiece What you should know about this song: This is was the second track cut during the experimental 1971 sessions with Leon Russell and his band. "That was another song which he wrote with me there in the studio, watching him at...
Bob Dylan – Song #62: “Watching the River Flow”
Link to Song: Watching the River Flow What you should know about this song: This is one of two songs cut during the experimental 1971 sessions with Leon Russell and his band. The song reached the UK Top 30 that summer and was later used in Dylan's live repertoire...
Bob Dylan – Song #61: “New Morning”
Link to Song: New Morning What you should know about this song: This title track of Bob Dylan's New Morning album originally featured some of America's top session musicians, including Al Kooper, Russ Kunkel, Charlie Daniels, and Ron Cornelius. Interestingly enough,...
Bob Dylan – Song #60: “If Not For You”
Link to Song: If Not For You What you should know about this song: Dylan recorded this gentle country tune alongside George Harrison during the 1970 New Morning album sessions. In subsequent years, Harrison covered the song on All Things Must Pass, his version later...
Bob Dylan – Song #59: “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”
Link to Song: Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You What you should know about this song: Another hit single of the Nashville Skyline Album, Dylan wrote "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" while staying at the Ramada Hotel in Nashville while recording the album....
Bob Dylan – Song #58: “I Threw It All Away”
Link to Song: I Threw It All Away What you should know about this song: "Simple and deeply moving, 'I Threw It All Away epitomized the easy grace of Dylan's 1969 venture into the heart of country music, Nashville Skyline."* "'It's a song that we can all connect with....
Bob Dylan – Song #57: “Lay, Lady, Lay”
Link to Song: Lay, Lady, Lay What you should know about this song: "Lay, Lady, Lay" was arguable the most popular song on Dylan's Nashville Skyline album. In 1969, the hit single reached the Top 10 in the UK and US. "'Nashville Skyline is a very important album. He...
Bob Dylan – Song #56: “Dear Landlord”
Link to Song: Dear Landlord What you should know about this song: Dylan originally recorded this last song for the John Wesley Harding album with the accompaniment of Charlie McCoy, Kenny Buttrey, and Pete Drake. Joe Cocker later created his own uptempo R&B cover...
Bob Dylan – Song #55: “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”
Link to Song: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight What you should know about this song: In many ways, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" was just a foreshadow of Dylan's country style to come. "Maybe it was tongue-in-cheek, I don't know. It's just a simple song, a simple sentiment....
Bob Dylan – Song #54: “I Pity the Poor Immigrant”
Link to Song: I Pity the Poor Immigrant What you should know about this song: Bob Dylan has a unique way of recreating his material in unexpected and stunning ways. "I pity the Poor Immigrant" was first recorded as a "tender acoustic ballad," yet when Dylan played it...
Bob Dylan – Song #53: “Drifter’s Escape”
Link to Song: Drifter's Escape Jimi Hendrix Cover: Drifter's Escape What you should know about this song: As with "All Along the Watchtower", this song was a favorite of Jimi Hendrix. "A song has to be of a certain quality for me to sing and put on a record. One...