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 #52: “All Along the Watchtower”
Link to Song: All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix Cover: All Along the Watchtower What you should know about this song: This rock anthem was first issued on Dylan's John Wesley Harding album before reaching the hands of Jimi Hendrix. "These songs on the John Wesley...
Bob Dylan – Song #51: “I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine”
Link to Song: I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine Joan Baez Cover: I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine What you should know about this song: Joan Baez included it on her album of Dylan covers, Any Day Now. "John Wesley Harding was a fearful album - just dealing with fear, dealing...
Bob Dylan – Song #50: “Tears of Rage”
Link to Song: Tears of Rage What you should know about this song: "Tears of Rage" was the second major composition Dylan co-wrote with a member of The Band during the "basement tapes" sessions. Richard Manuel was the vocalist on the track and also responsible for...
Bob Dylan – Song #49: “This Wheel’s on Fire”
Link to Song: This Wheel's on Fire What you should know about this song: Dylan collaborated with Rick Danko on this piece during the so-called "basement Tape" sessions of 1967. It was first covered by Julie Driscoll the following year, and later by Danko himself for a...
Bob Dylan – Song #48: “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere”
Links to Song: You Ain't Going Nowhere Phish Cover Version: You Ain't Going Nowhere The Byrds Cover Version: You Ain't Going Nowhere What you should know about this song: Another legendary "Basement Tapes" released, Dylan originally committed this song to tape with...
Bob Dylan – Song #47: “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)”
Link to Song: Quinn the Eskimo Manfred Mann's Cover Version: Quinn the Eskimo Grateful Dead Cover Version: Quinn the Eskimo What you should know about this song: This was another song Dylan released through the "Basement Tapes" recording, which he made with future...
Bob Dylan – Song #46: “I Shall Be Released”
1975 Live Version with Joan Baez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuOisA4Ng9U 2012 Live Version with Nora Jones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FySFa6H7w-M Jeff Buckley Cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOJ8M6LHQls What you should know about this song: In the...
Bob Dylan – Song #45: “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands”
Links to Song: Joan Baez Cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkx-elBdKi4 Phoenix Cover: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-bvmWmpBdM What you should know about this song: When this song was released on Blonde on Blonde, it became the first single track in rock history...
Bob Dylan – Song #44: “Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)”
Link to Song: Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine) What you should know about this song: With the help of rock stars Al Kooper and Joe South and alongside the soon-to-become leader of The Band, Robbie Robertson, Dylan recorded this as the first rack on the...
Bob Dylan – Song #43: “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again”
Link to Song: Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again What you should know about this song: After 20 takes and almost 18 hours in the studio, Dylan mastered this song for his 1966 Blonde on Blonde album. Apparently, Dylan wrestled with fitting the words...
Bob Dylan – Song #42: “Just Like a Woman”
Link to Song: Just Like a Woman What you should know about this song: The first time I heard this song, it was introduced during a radio hour of Bob Dylan music as the DJ's favorite Dylan song, and I'm going to be honest... I didn't get it. Since then, I've learned a...
Bob Dylan – Song #41: “I Want You”
Link to Song: I Want You James Blunt Cover: I Want You John Mayer Cover: I Want You What you should know about this song: This Top 20 hit single from the 1966 Blonde On Blonde album has been featured on countless other albums, including Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits....