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.

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BOOK: “Dylan: 100 Songs & Pictures”

Peter Doggett(Author)
Chris Charlesworth (Compiler)
Ann Barkway (Editor)
Andy Neill (Editor)

Blog Posts

Bob Dylan – Song #25: “Gates of Eden”

Bob Dylan – Song #25: “Gates of Eden”

Link to Song: Gates of Eden What you should know about this song: Rolling Stones Magazine listed "Gates of Eden" under the five most inscrutable lyrics by Dylan that "keep Dylanologists guessing"  (Issue 1131), and if you listen to the song there's no wondering why....

Bob Dylan – Song #22: “Maggie’s Farm”

Bob Dylan – Song #22: “Maggie’s Farm”

Links to Song: Maggie's Farm What you should know about this song:  This comedic satire on greed and hypocrisy, based on "Down on Penny's Farm," became an anthem for people in the decades to follow.*  British radicals, for example, adopted the song as their on while...

Bob Dylan – Song #20: “To Ramona”

Bob Dylan – Song #20: “To Ramona”

Links to Song: To Romona What you should know about this song:  There is not a hint of politics in this love song, which seems odd given that it was recorded for the Another side of Bob Dylan album in 1964 alongside a number of his most famously outspoken political...

Bob Dylan – Song #18: “My Back Pages”

Bob Dylan – Song #18: “My Back Pages”

Links to Song: My Back Pages What you should know about this song: Wait, a protest song to his protest songs?? Well, essentially that's what "My Back Pages" is - it is an alternative to Dylan's regular political agenda-filled songs during which he pokes fun at himself...