Bob Dylan – Nope, Don’t Get It

Let me put it out there early in this new blog. There are certain musical critical darlings that do nothing for me and Bob Dylan is one of them. I do like the remakes of many of his songs though, Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc. The other major critical darling I cannot get properly into no matter how much I try is Bruce Springsteen. I guess there is just not enough blues, funk, soul, hard rock influence in these folks for me. I appreciate strong lyrics, but the music has to have some soul to it otherwise I can’t connect with it. There are many other popular artists I can’t get into either, but Dylan and Springsteen are two who plague me because they are so critically lauded. I also can't seem to really grasp Coldplay - but that's another story!

Anyway back to Dylan. I don’t get what the fuss is. Now, I haven’t listened to a lot of his music but I would say that I’m familiar with his most popular songs. I haven’t really analysed his lyrics, and I do have a hard time understanding them when he’s singing. His music and his singing don’t really move me, they don’t open a door and draw me in. I get his sixties alternative culture stuff but don’t really notice anything original or innovative, not in any meaningful way. Yet, clearly he is a highly respected musician and I’m curious to know why people feel this way; I’m also interested in hearing why people really like his music and are obsessed by it, because I don’t get it!

Respect

I do respect the hell out of what he has done and achieved, so please don't take this as some kind of attack on him or his fans. To many, he’s easily one of the best song writers who has ever lived. I also understand his historical importance in terms of music and American history.

In a similar vein to Dylan, I've never gotten into Morrissey’s solo work either, but I know people who are passionate about one or the other or both. I can appreciate them both as poets and I think they've both created really interesting images for themselves, but as far as the music goes, I don't get it. I know other people do though. Some people can't understand why I'm into some of the music that I like so it's all relative I suppose.

Covers

Following on from the theme of my last blog someone once told me that the best thing about Bob Dylan covers is that you don’t have to listen to Bob Dylan sing them and I think they’ve got a point. There has been many fine covers of his work, many of which you’d think were actually the original such as:

• Bryan Ferry – A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
• The Byrds – Mr Tambourine Man
• Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower
• Adele - Make You Feel My Love

Dylan is undoubtedly an incredible storyteller. But I'd rather have his stories sung to me by someone who doesn't sound bored and inebriated. It just goes to show that a great song writer and a person who makes great music are not always the same.

Will I Ever Like Dylan?

Well I’m not crazy about his voice, but I do like and respect singers with unconventional or “bad” voices (eg, I like both Bjork and Geddy Lee of Rush). With more exposure and better understanding his voice could grow on me or at least I could come to understand why people value his singing and vocal quality. I must say though that I do prefer Dylan’s crusty older voice to the thin whiny one which often grates. I have a feeling I’d have to really pay attention to the lyrics though and not just listen to the music while doing other things. And I’m not sure I can really carve out the time to do that.

That being said, I have tried really hard a number of times over the years to get into Bob Dylan and his music and I just can’t. I’ve bought a number of his albums including that 3-disc box set called ‘Dylan’ that covers about five decades of his work but still I can’t make it do it for me. As I said, I like many versions of his songs that other people have done, but by in large, I cannot get onto the Dylan train. And I don’t really know why!

Olives

Bob's music obviously speaks in a language that my ears are not accustomed to. Maybe someone will one day put his music in the proper perspective for me and I'll love him. It's happened for me with other artists, but it just hasn't happened for me yet with Dylan. I’m 50 now so there’s still time – isn’t there?

I’m not narrow minded, my musical tastes are very broad and span all eras. I’m not a closed shop though, I still like to broaden my musical horizons and try new artists. Unlike some people, I don't like to just stay in the box of safe things I know! I do like to taste a bit of the different food on the musical table.

Anyway, I’ve come to the conclusion that Bob Dylan is a bit like olives - an acquired taste! Fact is though, I don’t like olives and I still don't like Dylan's music! So he’ll probably remain one of those people whose success I’ll just never understand.