Bars!! | Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues | REACTION/REVIEW

[@thomaskelley1718]

A lot of people do credit this as the first rap song because it not only is a rap it contains all the elements of a good rap song, some anti government activity, some over bearing governmental elements, some what could be considered criminal activity as well as social justice protests. But Chuck Berry's "too much monkey business" could fall in that category as well

[@batman_jones]

Well done on Too Much Monkey Business. I always thought that myself even before Dylan confirmed this was a riff on that old Chuck Berry song.

[@Hexon66]

Talkin' Blues went back much further than those examples.

[@lipby]

Long history of patter songs on Broadway

[@akeleven]

And the Beat generation, Greenwich village.

[@HelynnHeels]

Yep, it's rap. You're doin' it up great. And it's not about his voice (which I love); it's about the poetry and the music.

[@paulward1799]

'It's alright ma, (I'm only bleeding)' has got to be your next Dylan reaction!

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

YES! i suggested that on the one before this one heh

[@albertsmith9315]

If he reads these comments, then YES... one more vote for this song. I've watched so many rap fans reacting to it just becoming shocked at the flow and pattern.

[@robertocaba5915]

Ballad of a thin man is also killer

[@bobschenkel7921]

Not only is it a cool video, it was one of the first artist-made videos in the early 1960's. Waaay before the MTV era. In college, late '70's, I had an English Literature professor who spent a full hour and a half period, you know Tuesdays and Thursdays, dissecting "Subterranean Homesick Blues" as a poem. Thank You Dr. Garlitz. The man with the beard crossing the screen at the end of the video was Allen Ginsberg, the Beat Poet who wrote the Epic poem "Howl".

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

The man he's talking/arguing with in the video is Bob Neuwith, an influential folk singer and record producer who was also Dylan's manager.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Good info, I did not know that.@@jamesdignanmusic2765

[@glittermama]

Yes that was Ginsberg.

[@brucekastel707]

He was recently awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature for his lyrics

[@lysfleming3331]

Love Bob Dylan. Some serious smart lyrics. He has so many great songs. HIS VOICE IS PERFECT.

[@ricclark8162]

tony bennet the great jazz singer was asked if bob dylan can sing he said 'i dont know but his phrasing is perfect'

[@Thumbbs]

One thing Bob don’t need is DEFENDED!

[@simchabaruch7023]

Fun fact: The guys in the background are Alan Ginsberg and Donovan, who spent the previous night making the posters Bob was holding.

[@pgrabar]

It was Bob Neuwirth with Ginsberg, not Donovan.

[@robertjones6971]

Bro, you gotta do " sorry ma, I'm only bleeding" by Dylan. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 He is the original rapper !

[@haroldmachroli7038]

Exactly. His voice was perfect for his music. No one can really imitate it.

[@robertocaba5915]

Yup. It is an adquired taste. Once you get him its magic

[@debrabeck9630]

I think you nailed it on the fire hose. Dylan was part of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, sang at civil rights events, including MLK’s March on Washington, etc. He would not lightly throw around a reference about staying away from those that carry round a fire hose. The more you listen to Dylan, the more you appreciate his voice as another instrument he employs.

[@frankieboy3737]

Fire house was about junkies shooting heroin, keep clean nose was coke. Don't wear sandals ( don't be a hippie)

[@davescurry69]

The more I listen to Bob Dylan, and it's been 40 years, the more I like his voice. No, he doesn't have a great technical voice, but he has great delivery, he has great phrasing, and he has the greatest lyrics ever written. Plus he has a very, very distinctive voice. #1 artist of them all, IMHO. Dive in to the great man's catalogue Biz, just for yourself. It's well worth it. Next? "It’s All Over Baby Blue" or maybe "Visions Of Johanna" or "Ballad Of A Thin Man" or even "Not Dark Yet" or "Mississippi". I could name 100 songs and still leave out too many.

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

TANGLED UP IN BLUE!

[@mikecaetano]

"You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows" -- The militant 1960's anti-war group known as The Weather Underground took their name from that line. They bombed military recruitment centers to protest the Vietnam War. They killed several people too, including members of their group, when a bomb they were making blew up on them. The survivors went underground to evade authorities and a few did so for more than a decade, iirc. The bald bearded man wearing glasses off to the left behind Dylan is the poet Allen Ginsberg. When you're ready for more Dylan, check out Marianne Faithfull's cover of "It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue".

[@nedludd7622]

Good of you to mention that. I see comments by YT idiots who say that Dylan was referring a group to the group The Weatherman when they didn't even exist then.

[@zunbake3]

"You don't need a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows" referring to the radical militant Weatherman/Weather Underground groups that were active in the late 60's.

[@anthonyherniman6332]

Possibly one of the greatest short-sharp lines ever written. Between the bit before and the bit just after that. But then superceded by the one about parkin' meters a few moments later. And then the one about the pump and handles and the vandals. I can't decide which of these are the greatest lines ever written!!

[@xbfdx988]

They named themselves from the lyric

[@nancywest1926]

I love how Allen Ginsberg was in the background

[@johno1765]

Another fun fact: Joan Baez and Donovan drew up some of the cue cards that Dylan is flipping.

[@nancywest1926]

@@johno1765 Wow, I didn't know that, thanks!

[@denysmace3874]

Yes, I see it now. Thanks. I hadn't realised. I just thought it really funny that, as Bob walked off, the street cleaners moved in!

[@MrArgman]

Yeah, that talentless hack had to find some other talented people to leach off of after his first group all flamed out

[@Rick-or2kq]

I have thought that but was not sure, thanks!

[@elizabeththompson5278]

“You don’t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows”……..truth.

[@elkbomb]

The Einstein of songwriting.

[@sueprator9314]

Dylan was the POET of our generation. His twangy voice is part of the unique attraction. He isn't supposed to be a crooner. He had a message - lots of them.

[@bc2198]

That's Allan Ginsburg walking across the screen at the end.

[@glass2467]

Yes, Dylan is a genius.

[@19HurdyGurdyMan46]

You're bang on with saying 'His voice matches what he is trying to do'. Over the years there's been a lot of crap said about his voice, these people complete miss the point.

[@jleahy9025]

I think you nailed it about the fire hose. Tangled up in Blue is one of my favorites

[@chrisjamieson3452]

Bob grew up a fan of old style Talking Blues. Yes, the cadence can be sped up a little, and you got rap.

[@peggylovato8720]

Bob is the man!

[@pamelawertz498]

One singer that many would say does not have a good voice but he's a genius is America's first rock star, Louis Armstrong. And when you put his gravelly growl in a duet with the soft flowing feminine voice of Ella Fitzgerald, there is magic that can't be put into words.

[@hongfang2348]

You would like Don't Think Twice It's Alright. It's a breakup song in Dylan speak, also early folk with guitar and harmonica. It's been covered/sampled by many people from Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Allman Bros to Indigo Girls. The song ends with these lines: Goodbye's too good a word, babe So I'll just say, "Fare thee well" I ain't a-saying you treated me unkind You could've done better but I don't mind You just kinda wasted my precious time But don't think twice, it's all right

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows That’s a reference to a radical group in the sixties that was called The Weatherman. They were against the Vietnam war.

[@j.h.3777]

I love "Positively 4th Street" - a great song about disliking fake people.

[@maryellenazack4466]

Major historical song 🎵

[@owenicus]

Bizmatic defends Bob Dylan! Increible!

[@dougsusie2319]

Sorry Biz I hit send by mistake. The bussing line was about the desegregation of I believe school busses. "Better jump down a manhole light yourself a candle" was nuclear war. Jump in a hole and light a candle because electricity is gone. I love Dylan's voice, if he sang like a McCartney it wouldn't work now would it. I know I've requested this one so thank you but two more from this incredible album. "It's Alright Ma(I'm Only Bleeding" about the hypocrisy in America in 1965 and nothing has changed. That song could have been written yesterday. Also "Mr Tambourine Man" a beautiful song and the lyical wordplay is wonderful. Like painting with words. Hope too see these one day and please not live videos but the studio versions please. "Bringing It All Back Home" is a great album. Peace ❤

[@jaccilowe3842]

I've always thought that songs sung by the writer have that extra authentic sound, whether or not they can 'sing'.

[@JC-rb3hj]

You are exactly right Dylan's voice perfectly matches what he's doing. Who else is going to sing this stuff? This would be a workout for any conventional vocalist. As you move through his catalog you are going to find that he translates very well with other decades. Serve Somebody, Sweetheart Like You are excellent examples of this.

[@arjaylee]

The voice must serve the song.

[@alphajava761]

Dylan has one of the most imitated vocals in Rock. Dylan is a stylist who sings with emotion. Dylan changes his vocals across his catalog many times, and on each album. Each Dylan album sounds different as he changes musicians on each album up until about 20 years ago, Dylan is also a genius composer and conductor. You're going to find Dylan is many things. His album's Bring It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde in the mid 60s changed Rock N Roll from that point forward. I've heard every album countless times, even his albums of cover songs.

[@CosmicVagabondPixie]

YES! **Beautiful** **Luvit** Thank **You**

[@alphajava761]

@@CosmicVagabondPixie Time Out Of Mind (1997) is one of Dylan's best albums, his best album since Blood On the Tracks (1975). These are 2 albums that particularly show Dylan's range of reimagining his music. I love his croakier voice starting on the Oh Mercy album (1989). There are many good albums between 1974 and 1989 that show Dylan's ability to reimagine himself such as Slow Train Coming and Infidels. His latest studio album Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020) still maintains Dylan is a top talent, "My Own Version Of You" is a particular standout.

[@rowdyron4111]

He's got a really organic, authentic voice.

[@kbalmostheaven7296]

That’s funny, I’ve listened to it for 40 years and never thought rapping it, but Biz made it work. 🥃

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

A pioneering video, and regarded by many as a prototype for rap, but not rap itself - though Dylan himself said the style came from a Chuck Berry song (Too Much Monkey Business). NoDoz is an over-the-counter drug that will keep you awake, often used by students swotting for exams, but which leads to a person eventually crashing and sleeping very heavily.

[@rickward460]

Once again Biz... you nailed it 👍👍Bob is a writing Genius! Spread the love 🐶😎🇺🇸Rap or Rock? It grooves that's all that matters 🤙

[@J_Gamble]

🎶Hurricane, or “It’s Alright Ma I’m Only Bleeding”

[@robertstein3770]

20 years of schooling and they but you on the day shift. Look out kid, they keep it all hid. Is a dope line.

[@enchantedwooddesigns3462]

Dad was always having country on the radio or watching it all weekend but any time he was in a really good mood he would be singing parts of this song. It gave me an instant kick and happiness )

[@michaelcoleman6228]

I'm tad bit late. Weird Al did a parody. Bob, every line was a palindrome.

[@doriwiljt]

Love Bob. I love singers with unique voices as well as great singers. Bob isn't for everyone.

[@balloonfarm5903]

Bob Dylan mentioned in an interview he would sit and listen to young black girls chant in rhyme while they skipped rope. It’s not surprising it showed up in his music.

[@ctrushfan8575]

"Not Dark Yet" is one of my favorites from Bob Dylan.

[@frankmarx8997]

Great reaction, another great song of his to react to would be “It’s Alright Ma (I’m only bleeding)”

[@citizenghosttown]

Whether or not you think of this song as precursor to rap, it's a groundbreaking song (and video) and a brilliant marriage of lyrics and rhythm. And it does bring home a related point. Rap music is a kind of folk music --- it's the voice of the people, it's what's going on in the street. It challenges the establishment and the status quo. And there are some brilliant lyrics -- most famously: "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows" and "20 years of schoolin' and they put you on the day shift."

[@sueprator9314]

Oh! NO DOZ used to be an over the counter product to stay awake, lol!!!

[@dylanblue2271]

Bob's an absolute genius. Some of his material does actually show off his vocals. He changed his style so much. It's not smooth as such, but it's the voice of the streets and of the people. As Don McLean puts it in American Pie ''with a voice that came from you and me'' (which was about Dylan).

[@michelefaucher4180]

Always thought Dylan was the first rapper.❤❤❤

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I love how you break that down from a rap perspective yeah and No-Doze was a thing in the 60s and 70s and it was actually a diet drug of some sort involving caffeine as an appetite suppressor, but it was also marketed as an anti-drowsy pick me up, like a really cheap over the counter version of speed or something.

[@jimwilcox2964]

A lot of college students used no doze to pull late night study sessions especially before tests. Coffee wasnt popular then, before energy drinks, so this was the pick me up

[@batman_jones]

That’s the “official” lyric but if you listen closely it’s actually “don’t tie no bows.”

[@robbob5302]

Thank you for this reaction. Now you NEED to see the Weird Al parody of this video, Bob. It is hysterical.

[@edwardcossa875]

Go ahead young fellas, break down these bars, do the history ! He would have rappers today going crazy

[@classicrockfan4906]

It's Alright Ma, is one of his best from the same album as this song. Bringing it All Back Home, might just be a good album review.

[@elston3153]

You get Dylan, you're going deep believe me

[@tomdoesstuff1978]

'I'm going to go back and listen to his whole catalogue'... That's quite a time investment, I have to say - but well worth it!

[@sitbone3]

Reading "The Collected Poems of Allen Ginsberg" just now.

[@kbalmostheaven7296]

Hurricane is my favorite Dylan song, and it’s a true story. Ruben Hurricane Carter.

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

Absolutely.

[@raugado]

Yesss….yes that’s exactly what he's talking ‘bout

[@terrywright8731]

Bob is a great singer, just check out anything he did from the Rolling Thunder Review from 1976.

[@melissatuel862]

I've always assumed he was talking about the fire hoses at demonstrations and marches.

[@robhtp3817]

It’s his lyrics (poems) and his delivery that make Bob Dylan the man!!!

[@jeanine6328]

Bobs voice was often mimicked for comedic purpose’s because he really had a distinct sound.

[@Rick-or2kq]

There is a video of Joan Baez imitating him it's funny has hell.

[@emersononeill]

"it sounds like he was wapping almost." After sixty years, you figured it out.

[@rayc4244]

No Doze was an over the counter drug which had caffeine (main ingredient) in it. Students would pop them before studying for tests, etc.

[@thomasripley1548]

Definitely gotta do the Hurricane.........true story of Rubrn Carter......

[@riffmondo9733]

Still killer to this day.

[@susangirardi3655]

Yep. That's exactly what the fire hose reference was.

[@seansersmylie]

Love to hear you check out Luke Kelly and The Dubliners doing The Rocky Road to Dublin. There's a fantastic live version here on KZbin. Dylan was heavily influenced by Irish folk music at that time, a lot of it flows like rap.

[@cynergy4]

I've always thought that it was like early rap. No-Doze was a supplement that was sold over the counter to help folks stay awake. I believe that it was mostly caffeine

[@arlie8274]

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature... I think he was the first musician it was ever given to...

[@elston3153]

In 1913 Tagore was the first poet/songwriter from India to Get the nobel prize for literature

[@HelynnHeels]

No Doz is a OTC medication that keeps you awake.

[@Diecastclassicist]

Caffeine

[@wardlafferty5022]

The lyrics about not needing a Weather Man to know which way the wind blows is referring to the radical group…the Weather Underground.

[@TheDivayenta]

Have you reacted to his Hurricane about falsely imprisoned boxer Ruben Hurricane Carter? Biz, it’s an absolute must!!!❤

[@scipiom4578]

If you want to see a Dylan song where we can sing, check out "One More Cup of Coffee"

[@alpetrocelli4465]

I always thought this was the first Rap hit song. Love Dylan & enjoy your reactions.✌️❤️🎶

[@wanderer0617]

I love this video. And poet Allen Ginsberg, hanging out in the alley.

[@garygoldsborough7830]

Poet Joyce Carol Oates said his voice was "as if sandpaper could sing" and I can't think of a better description

[@John_Locke_108]

Bob going electric. Groundbreaking song. Two of the greatest records ever recorded were right around the corner and it all started here.

[@alphajava761]

Okay I'm gonna sub you. Notice that the queue cards misspel words intentionally, kind of like platforms do now for branding. Bob's always ahead of the game

[@susanryan2451]

Love you, man, you're right on. I was only 11 when this one came out, and i really really dug it. changed my brain.

[@davidmckenzie420]

My favorite Dylan song. And maybe...the first rap song?...

[@Ed9870]

Good analysis of what Bob Dylan brings to the table. A true beat poet. Some would even say the greatest. But if you want a great singer with lyrical genius, Dylan may not be your guy. That's where I think Van Morrison came in.

[@CamoJan]

Now that you've seen this one, you MUST watch Weird Al Yankovic's parody of this called "Bob". It is amazing!!♥

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Definately check out Its Allright Ma (I’m only Bleeding)

[@petepiazza]

“It’s alright, Ma (I’m only bleeding)”

[@jmelio1]

One of my favorites of his! He has an awesome catalog. I have so many to request but here are some ...'She Belongs To Me', 'It's All Over Now Baby Blue', 'Just Like a Woman, the whole Nashville Skyline album which includes 'Lay Lady Lay" and the awesome classic "Girl From the North Country' sung with Johnny Cash, and 100's more 😀 I love his voice. His delivery with his voice is where it's at with his songs. He was out first when I was around 7 years old. I always connected with his music even though I didn't really understand a lot of the lyrics. then.

[@jerrybraverman5122]

You should check out Weird Al Yankovic's Bob. His parody of this video is genius.

[@revaflowers3115]

Always loved this song and video!

[@jamietfranklin]

Great comments y'all., I think Dylan's voice is an affectation. He puts it on. It's part of a character, like Bowie had Ziggy Stardust. Joni Mitchell says in a video interview that he got stuck being a young man doing an old man's voice and never changed it. But it's just like you said, it's right for the material, and being folk music. I love Bob Dylan. Thanks!

[@micahdembo5140]

Great work. The pump don’t work, cause the vandals took the Handle. You are my pop Guru.

[@rustyknott-W.D]

The first legit rap, 1965. Quite a few Dylan compositions are rap. "It's all right Ma I'm only Bleeding" and "Maggie's Farm" are prime examples.

[@chrissiegle1065]

My theory, is that rap came from the beat poets in the 60s... people would read poetry to cool jazz lines... reading in a kind of cadence with the music... this started getting faster... an example is this song.. and faster... and at some point it broke off into the raw rap we saw in the 70s... that's my theory anyway... Great reaction. Thank you. 😊

[@tdgallagher218]

In his earlier LPs, Dylan did several 'Talkin' Blues' songs (ie: Talkin' Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues, Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues, Talkin' New York, Talkin' World War III Blues.' Most of these songs feature more of his comedic side). Perhaps these tunes may have been a precursor to rap. A few other Dylan songs that showcase his barz are, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding), and of course, Like a Rolling Stone.

[@chuckwalsh2270]

Rainy day women is a cool song

[@batman_jones]

My whole life I thought the line was “don’t try no-doz” as it is in the official lyrics. If you consider the rhyme that follows and listen closely though he’s actually singing “don’t tie no bows.” This song might sound nonsensical on first, second, tenth listen but it [almost] all makes sense if you consider the political climate at the time… bussing, firehouses, so much more. I add my voice to the group that would really love to hear your reaction to “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding.” Among hundreds of such great songs it’s impossible to choose a favorite, it’s still my favorite. And if you think what he’s doing here is like rapping just check that one out

[@robhtp3817]

The fire hoses were used against most protesters of that era, civil rights and Vietnam protest for sure 👍🏼

[@mikepiccione886]

I feel as though when you go back to listen on your own you are gonna wanna start with the bootleg series great collection of work by him