Bob Dylan 2016 Nobel Lecture in Literature

[@omarflores4736]

Is there a version of this with no music in the background? I would prefer that a lot more than having something get in the way of his voice.

[@NobelPrize]

We have published this recording exactly as we received it from Bob Dylan. The pianist who performed was hand-picked by the laureate himself. Thanks for watching!

[@kingpetra6886]

Bob Dylan came of age during the Beat generation. For material like this, It was common to have music either in the background or to serve as "punctuation" to what was being read. Additionally, most verbal presentations given by Bob Dylan have been given with music anyway. I seriously doubt the voice would go over any better without the music, it is the words that are the centerpiece of this "essay". He got the Nobel prize for literature, not singing or oratory. Study the transcript.

[@dylanthompson4836]

It's there for a reason. It's connecting the written word to song.

[@LeagueofLightians]

@@NobelPrize ruined

[@omarflores4736]

@@kingpetra6886 Thanks for the information! I didn't even think about that. It makes sense and sounds a lot better now.

[@markmiller9579]

He revealed more of himself in these 27 minutes than he did publicly in the preceding half century of his amazing career.

[@richardeast3328]

My thoughts too, he always seemed aloof to me.

[@alibobo2009]

Took some reflection for him. Saw a recent interview where he said he couldn't write those songs now.

[@joycecandido6317]

I was completely amazed !!!

[@MrACangusyoungDC]

You need to search "bob dylan goes deep on" here on KZbin if you want a revealed Bob Dylan. It's an uncut hour long interview from 1985. The way he reveals himself makes it such a gem, it's crazy

[@maryfulham1522]

👍Someone's 2016 ..... 🎵"B'RINGING IT ALL BACK HOME"🎵 2030 "Sing in me ol' Muse + Tell the Story." -"No🔔Peace Prize 6/4/2017" ... He changes identities..... His trickery Will..... He disguises himself as a lowly beggar..." .......👨‍🎨🎵"give her a 📯 4 Halloween🎶🎃🎶 & 🎶 A 🇺🇸 4 her birthday🎶...🥁...🎵🦉Who' who !!!

[@whoislily]

i wish bob dylan could explain the plot of every book ever for me

[@milkcow]

lilsmy just get spark notes

[@margaretfreeman6742]

Me too...his voice his love of books...

[@doylesinclair4499]

He does. . .in all his songs. . .just keep listening

[@jamesgraham4235]

diTTo! ;-)

[@mtyson123]

I wish he would explain the plot of my life to me :)

[@slaphappybullet]

"He looked older than twenty-two. Something about him seemed permanent, and he filled me with conviction."

[@stevenstarr5680]

Noticing how seriously he takes this, what a teacher he is, how lucky we are to have him.

[@milkcow]

Steven Starr I laugh every time I read someone say what a teacher he is. Who here remembers cliffs notes or spark notes?

[@milkcow]

Someone just replied but I cannot see it here for some reason. Well, all I can say is google whale oil used for anointing kings and see what results are given. Google genesis moby dick. Read sparknotes about whiteness in Moby Dick. I'd post the screen shots, but you can't.

[@milkcow]

Also check out the name of the boat, Pequod in sparknotes. He should have said Pequot was an Indian tribe. Pequod was named after the tribe. All in sparknotes!

[@milkcow]

Also I never said he recites from cliffsnotes or sparknotes. His insight is from some of these sources instead of from memory. It's not a verbatim copy. His ideas are not original or come from his interpretation or memory. They're from outside sources that he didn't cite.

[@MartinT50]

Or maybe he just read the book. I just searched the copy I downloaded from Gutenberg and found this: "Pequod, you will no doubt remember, was the name of a celebrated tribe of Massachusetts Indians; now extinct as the ancient Medes."

[@grahamjhalpin6152]

We have lived in the same era as this man! How lucky are we? Thank you Bob!

[@coreyham3753]

Agreed .... Dylan is fantastic.

[@jeffreyheath8179]

Hear the rhythms, the cadences, the emphases, the pauses, the unexpected rhymes, the shifts in intonation, elocution, and pace, the unemphatic ending and the unforeseen if "roundabout" way he arrives at his point. See Buddy Holly's unforgettably elegiac look into Bob's eyes, see the brutal images of War. This is Bob Dylan's Song of Himself and ourselves, a brief but epic glimpse into the grammar-school and seed-bed of his poetry.

[@renatoalcides5104]

"...unemphatic ending..." The marc of a genius, with an artistic honest disregard to the unattentive audience, he trusts that we can always reach their meanings.

[@sharonrebibo6015]

I think you are also a writer, Jeffrey. You never know, you might make it yourself.

[@JoePinOrl]

I will not even attempt to comment risking any harsh criticism and well deserved after reading your comment Jeffrey, you have made my day. You are obviously a brilliant writer.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Most people just say he can't sing....

[@chrisandrus689]

...word, JH...

[@bwanna23]

His speech is a performance in itself. A poem. Reminds me of Jack Kerouac.

[@fennarios]

Yes! I found you, i smiled and remember kerouac reading on tv

[@nilesdelta8636]

You should def read chronicles vol1

[@davihar]

this guy is far beyond Kerouac in every way

[@gabex9823]

@@davihar Bob Dylan was a beat himself like Kerouac. If you pick up a Beat collection Bob Dylan's poetry and prose and lyrics will probably be in there. You putting down Kerouac doesn't seem fair especially considering how much of an influence he was to Dylan. There's tons of quotes of Dylan affirming Kerouac's influence. “’I read On the Road in maybe 1959. It changed my life like it changed everyone else’s,’” said Bob Dylan (can be found on his official website)

[@daniellyons914]

Yes! Very much!

[@MarksCoffeeHouse2]

Wow. I knew this guy was sharp, but what a brilliant mind. The poetic riffing says he's still got it. All of it. Nobody reads Dylan like Dylan.

[@jamesgraham4235]

So true but hEAR he reads about the ones that have to give him away for looking at life, understanding of human nature & standards to measure themselves. :-)

[@jitsroller]

Dylan recaps three classic books.

[@jadedragon288]

@@jitsroller Expect the unexpected from Dylan, a true artistic genius' response to his being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

[@darlenealessio7609]

Dylan reads us all, he has learned well the devouring nature of ego, and has set his bar high and boundaries stead fast, why he has endured..

[@BrianDornTFP]

Not too shabby for a song and dance man.

[@scalemiester]

Hahaha!! Nice

[@stephaneherringtoniowritin9180]

😁😁😁

[@dontaylor7315]

Dylan can dance??

[@jadenwaz9585]

Don Taylor It’s a reference to his famous interview.

[@priyac7054]

@@dontaylor7315 a San Francisco interview 😌⚡⚡

[@MertonHayford]

Now there's a speech that you can call Bringing It All Back Home.

[@AdrianNicholls]

Art in itself. Kudos to the Nobel Organisation for making this brave choice.

[@BeeG758]

that the committee could be so wise amazes me. and although i have loved bob dylan from the first time i heard him i feel part of a long marriage that began as love at first sight and still thrills and deepens. a world with him in it can never be boring.

[@imannonymous7707]

Here here gotta respect their choice

[@Peacely23]

Now im free and away from it all for who knows how long

[@garyschultz7768]

the novel prize means no more than a bag of poop... the Dylan of old would have rubbed their noses in it....

[@christiebaker5291]

how could they not pick him?

[@Plattown76]

as buddy once looked him in the eyes, Bob stared at me at a recent concert of his i went to. i innocently was laughing while watching him play the piano and he slowly turned his head, stared at me, and laughed. i then pointed at him, and he pointed right back. and as i watched him explain how buddy stared at him accepting his Grammy for Time Out of Mind on youtube a few months after, i was awestruck.... never will forget that moment and what it will mean for me in the future

[@michaelminx]

This speech is a kind of spiritual autobiography - and a major work of literature in its own right!

[@SPAC3MANxSPL1FF]

"And every one of them words rang true, and it glowed like burning coal. Pouring off of every page, like it was written in my soul, from me to you...." Brilliant as ever, Bob.

[@marylynnbryant9004]

Serously

[@Dickens20]

Wow. This is so cool. Leave it to Dylan to hit another home run. What a great storyteller. I love the visual imagery created by Bob’s words. His voice is the quintessential storyteller’s song. It’s been some 57 years since I first listened to Dylan, and I never tire of his songs. God bless you, Mr. Dylan, and may you stay, forever young.

[@marylynnbryant9004]

Cool

[@jameskovic7146]

As an avid Bob Dylan fan I was thoroughly enraptured by this intimate sharing of his with the world. As I was listening to him give his brief summary of these classic books I could almost hear echoes of some of his great songs. "Oh, that's where the basis for some of those great Dylan tunes come from." I thought to myself. I'm amazed and pleased that Bob Dylan has survived all of these years to receive such a level of recognition. He could very well have died in that motorcycle accident in 1969 and then like Hendrix and Janis Joplin disappeared into Rock & Roll legend. But, he didn't. We should all be grateful that such a one as Bob Dylan has been granted this gift by God to endure so long. He's so deep and a really cool guy.

[@niallswaine2436]

Motorcycle accident was in 1966, everything else 100%

[@helensolinger8693]

And the motorcycle wreck gave us the band and the basement tapes. He kept the boys on salary after the world tour. Thank you Bobm

[@sharonrebibo6015]

@@helensolinger8693 Bob Dylan is a true inspiration.

[@cashattuck]

A mixed bag to me. Arrogant and always depressing in his truly brilliant wordsmithing.

[@LovelyMiss90]

💜

[@_fig.8]

this should be released on vinyl.

[@Bloodshed-qh8gb]

I've listened to Dylan for about 4 years now (I'm 20 now) and I can honestly say no one has moved and affected me more than him. He has the greatest lyrics I've ever heard in songs (in my opinion anyway) and i'm so proud to call him my biggest inspiration. Forget the mainstream top 40 crap or whatever it's called, THIS is what artists and young people should strive to be

[@dia9491]

Without mainstream people don’t get inspired to make better music though. So it’s a necessary evil.

[@Clubberoni]

Bob dylan was mainstream

[@Muskegon333]

I'm glad you found Bob Dylan and there are a lot more great artists out there unfortunately almost all of them are from the past.

[@lilylove2021]

Well done, so much for you to discover - sara

[@janeteague-urbach3297]

@@Muskegon333 no..they are not. Try you some Jason Isbell, Amanda Price to name but two of a number of fantastic younger artists, musicians and writers out there. Every generation thinks theirs were the best. I'm 74. Dylan was my sound track, my inspiration and hero. But I'm not deaf and i listen to the best of the "kids" and have hope. Ask me what kind of music I like and I'll say "good!".

[@timothyamaraobrien]

Melville, Remarque, Homer, Dylan. Literature is life! This speech alone illustrates why this award was so sensible.

[@RexHrothgar1]

Indeed. And yet so many will chase after money instead. Money won’t make you feel alive.

[@111Benzie]

It's blasphemous to mention Dylan in the same sentence as Homer and Melville. But --to a dumbed down America it fits.

[@chrisandrus689]

@@RexHrothgar1 ...no thing, nothing will fill that hole....only what is not of 'thingness' can possibly fill/complete you....

[@lewisc215]

He should have gotten it for poetry, not lit. That year Philip Roth deserved it.

[@Grace-fh8ec]

@@111Benzie????

[@morgnan7]

I've always loved Bob Dylan but never quite understood his genius; couldn't fathom from what hidden place his songs came to him. His Nobel Lecture has now re-enforced for me everything I knew and didn't know about Dylan. It overwhelmed me.

[@richardcowan343]

Dylan's words - accompanied by his voice are electric and moving. This is art history made over a lifetime lived. Beauty that is timeless. Read it, listen to the words, and you will be inspired. You'll want to listen to Buddy Holly, again and again, and read, time and again, over and over, Moby Dick, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Homer's Odyssey. Says Dylan, of his life, quoting Homer, "Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story." His lecture / essay deserves an award in and of itself. Timeless.

[@eldaytripper2]

Dylan should record an audiobook of Moby Dick.

[@milkcow]

eldaytripper2 he just did.

[@steenseersholm1439]

He should record a GPS audio :)

[@kissesgriffith]

He just did..........

[@michaelavolio]

He was asked about doing one some years ago! He said if it was his voice on the GPS, you'd hear something like, "Take a left at the next street. No, a right. You know what? Just keep going straight." Haha

[@milkcow]

kissesgriffith i wrote that too. Haha

[@donnaweaselfat1234]

His eloquence and depth is remarkable

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

I wonder why Joni Mitchell always portrays him as a fraud - she must be bonkers.

[@Unseen_warfare.]

@@FrankieParadiso4evah she's always been jealous of his impact. Listen to what she said to hurricane carter about prisoners booing her when Bob and Her and a few others played a prison show. You really see her true colors. It grieves her she is always in Dylan's shadow,,,., That her songwriting was never respected as Bob's songwriting. She blamed it on the misogyny of music and that he stole his entire style and wasn't an original. I disagree. I see Dylan as seeing another persons work and putting it through his filter. He makes it his own whatever he is doing because his approach is so different,.. He makes the songs real and you believe what he is saying. He can grab a metaphysical concept and brings them back into a semi-physical place in his music. Literally connecting to the collective unconscious . You feel like you are searching through images in a dream state in certain songs. He thinks in images and you can see his words, paints with them. It's not average. I'd say Joni Mitchell is a good songwriter but she's not one of the greats and it bothers her because she has a large ego.

[@jamescrane3042]

What an absolute treasure this is

[@georgepittas7680]

Priceless indeed.

[@VenishaZara]

not to mention a national treasure.

[@bob_._.]

a world treasure.

[@itsatrap9229]

a galaxy treasure.

[@dudefelix]

Oh, well... an universe treasure

[@larrypower8659]

This is unbelievable. It’s like the greatest college lecturer you’ve ever heard, and you just want to hear more. Like an educator who has a lifelong love of literature who can draw you into his world and inspire you to reach for something that’s always been inside of you and needs to come out. Now.

[@VenishaZara]

Beautiful speech! He's done honor to this magnificent award. Bless him!

[@agunsux]

He's never this sincere. This is treasure. Should be taught to every kids around the globe.

[@Telecasterluvr]

Hearing him talk about Moby Dick made me think of "Bob Dylan's 115th Dream" such a crazy lyric. Thank you for everything Bob you're music has always been there for me.

[@Theimbennn]

I've read some comments say "but how does him summarising some classic books influence his songwriting poetry and music" only us who know bobs lyrics now clearly see the influence those books had on him.

[@kissesgriffith]

spiones2 I love 115th Dream. Original and fun!

[@bryantposs8079]

I always thought Cormac McCarthy should get it first, but after listening to so many of Dylan's songs now, I can see the justification. Whole songs with no repetition, without one refrain, just an entire story in a song to a few chords. Brilliant.

[@Rock_Girl_Daze]

In true Dylan style, even this speech is poetic. Grateful to have Dylan in my world. An absolute treasure of the times.

[@alrodzmagicalmusic1269]

Dylan's ability to chose the precise word at the precise time is astonishing and amazing .

[@SuperMiley1994]

Hearing this makes me less anxious, Dylan's voice is very calming to listen to.

[@peege2878]

The background piano track was played by Alan Pasqua, one of the great jazz musicians of our time. He played it in one take, made up the whole thing on the spot. I mean, that's every bit as impressive as Dylan's commentary.

[@rickyelvis3215]

not even close

[@harveythompson1756]

..however, we could just as well do without it altogether; if anything, it detracts from Bobs voice rather than enhances it; even though Bob himself chose for it to be on there,,,well, nobodies perfect, right Bob?!

[@plmccarty51]

This is such a treat I have been a Dylan fan for 40+ years. Hearing him speak is so special. He is the greatest living song writer and I hope he keeps writing and singing. Thank Bob my life has been enriched by you.

[@MrEdkern]

The man is a genius. I met him in clevland,ohio on july 17, 1991. Was walking down on lake erie and I looked up and dylan was walking toward me. I stood still and he came up to me and shook my hand that I extended toward him. He was really nice to me.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

that's nice that he was friendly to you when he realized you recognized him. I saw Spider John Koerner once as he was walking along river road - and I was on bicycle - and so I sang out one of his Holler songs. Koerner was a big influence on Bob Dylan when he first moved to Minneapolis

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

I was searching for a biography of the man, and upon listening to this, am satisfied that I found the object of my desire.

[@grahamhobbs3501]

55 years on, sounds like Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie - classic Bob

[@tcraigwilson]

I agree. Recommend listening to Last Thoughts on Woodie Guthrie to anyone and everyone.

[@tcraigwilson]

Omega8kilo Troll. Dylan is our modern Homer.

[@fishdweeb123]

complete idiot- Dylan is an original. A gift to humanity.

[@tommynoble9075]

Do you mean his song "Song to Woody"? What is "Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie"?

[@tcraigwilson]

Jon Brown You arent kidding. Those bootleg recordings served as my introduction to Dylan. What an American.

[@fernandovillanueva4952]

Bob Dylan Nobel prize is more than an acknowledgment of his work. To me, the level of acknowledgment of the Swedish Academy is a push to the faith of humanity, of all of us, in ourselves.

[@Averani]

Amazing stuff. I have never heard Bob Dylan speak so clearly!

[@kevinshaughnessy2528]

For as long as he has been around (my lifetime) he never speaks much

[@jschuler53]

had he started out as just a poet, he might never have reached the audiences he did, instead he tried something very unique, being a poet and ""song and dance man" a performer, rock and roll, whatever, he defies genres. But not doubt, the gems are the lyrics, still choosing how to perform them are also genius...some times I couldn't hear the lyrics for the voice, but he has/always had a raw, authentic presence, not polished, just like most any of us. Shy, a bit awkward at times, confidence, on fire, all of those emotions....not the mechanical same every night performers we see too much of.

[@johncarlson7338]

His words regarding War are the most staggering anti war message I have ever heard. It was like being transported into some muddy ditch with blood and gore all around. I will never forget those words and message.

[@neelylyles1913]

You might consider reading that book he's talking about

[@AnnaLVajda]

All Quiet on the Western Front.

[@mindsigh4]

thanks, good movie too, John boy Walton

[@VenishaZara]

Sure was worth the wait! God Bless Bob Dylan!

[@doncadwallader8813]

I've been listening to Dylan's songs for 50 years. After listening to this, I think I'm finally starting to understand.

[@kissesgriffith]

The most beautiful voice - a self made intellectual - his own way - thank you for recognizing he indeed a poet....

[@tygerstripes3752]

Bob, oh Bob, I count myself so lucky to have heard and seen you once live. You are right; songs aren't literature, but both can be stories. And we really need stories. God bless you, Bob.

[@jdlund]

I love the lecture. I do enjoy the line "Don Quixote, Ivanhoe, Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's Travels, Tale of Two Cities...typical grammar school reading." Apparently, Dylan's grammar school had a far more rigorous curriculum than mine.

[@cruzcontrol1303]

Jonathan Lund I’m in high school and I’ve read a lot of those books lol

[@myotherusername9224]

".typical grammar school reading."... and Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn) was nothing more than a "simple nursery rhyme.".

[@tenisalot]

@@cruzcontrol1303 Dylan said grammar school, which is grades 1 - 8......grammar school is not high school. Most books he listed are not current grammar school fair, and if they are, abridged versions for children are used.

[@egodust11]

Obviously an exaggeration. If he's lucky he read and moreso remarkably *resonated* with their pathos and metaphysics IN HIGH SCHOOL. A far less contrived auto-bio sketch was from an impromptu interview on 60 Minutes in 2003? Here he reveals he technically *channeled* his early and best songs, like ALL GREAT ART comes through. "I don't know how I got to write those songs...it's like they were magically written."

[@sharonrebibo6015]

The absolute whole of my class could never get through The Tale of Two Cities. We managed to read the iconic first sentence though. As for the rest - we had to get through on the Notes summarising the book which could be purchased for a fairly low price.😅

[@jibtastic4]

Great to hear Bob voice in modern day. Makes me feel good

[@ChrisLupetti]

A speech like this can only be heard once in a generation. Mr. Bob Dylan, thank you for your words and your voice.

[@philipdoherty688]

"Transported me into a world I'd never known"

[@philipdoherty688]

Eve No, I'm very familiar with the Kerouac/Steve Allen spoken word jazz recordings and all the writers you just mentioned. I was just quoting one of the lines Dylan said in the lecture in response to the way I felt about it; but yeah, everyone you just mentioned is pretty great and this lecture was excellent!

[@salamolevin]

i actually think that was the trick. an homage to kerouac with the steve allen accompaniment. he was telling you what really influenced him. not these ancient texts but the beat poets

[@augustinenorte6318]

It’s truly unbelievable how this man creates images. It’s even more unbelievable that I had the opportunity to live and see him touch the heart of knowledge, instead of reading it from a time I couldn’t understand.

[@yforum]

This is pretty amazing. Thank you Bob for the rhyme and the rhythm.

[@NoWaitQue]

Bob Dylan finally put his story together this man is a genius I wish I could see the world through his eyes

[@bassmangotdbluz]

I'm soon 64, and I've been listening to Dylan since my childhood. Many others had mainstream hits with his songs while he was still obscure to most. He's the Bard of Bards for a generation and many more of them to come. My life would be something else had it not been for Bob Dylan.

[@davidholler1]

Most influential artist of our time. The Beatles wouldn't have gone from 'She Loves You' to 'Norwegian Wood' without Dylan. The most copied vocal style to boot; ELO, Tom Petty, John Lennon, The Byrds and many others. Love listening to Bob read to me. He should do more audio books. What a great storyteller. The world's a wonderful place when you hear Bob's voice. Thank God it will never be silence; even after he's gone.

[@Theimbennn]

He speaks in a strange and unique way, the way he emphasises words and let's words fade away never mind he's rhyming tempo he keeps and his accent. He did a radio show a few years ago where he'd talk for abit and play some songs set on a certain theme. Just search bob dylan theme time radio hour on KZbin for clips and google it for the full shows there's one clip on youtube of a sketch he did with tom waits which is pretty bonkers

[@michaelfleming6994]

sunriseRISE you're ripping Bob Dylan apart for discovering his style. He took everything he found and improved it. Any curious mind knows that.

[@Theimbennn]

+sunriseRISE you are talking about a young Dylan who just moved to New York who was trying to find his place on the world spell bound by woody Guthrie and wanted to be like his hero yes we all know this it's well known and it's a non point. And as for house of the sun it's a old traditional song only thing bob took from van ronk was the arrangement if you know anything about folk music those things are common van ronk wasn't angry he even said and bob did ask. And I don't understand your last part as it's just a bunch of jumbled up BAMs and WHAMS. Anyone who knows music knows Dylan is the single most influential artist in music

[@nickkautai1660]

live that saw so many things in Buddy Holly

[@nickkautai1660]

love xxx that he saw style suave in BH

[@emmywang346]

The fact that this was recorded on my Birthday, June 4th, makes my heart swell. Love you, Bob. You’ve transported me to a world I’ve never known

[@JM-jr4pr]

My birthday also.

[@chriswelch7789]

Please put this master work on Spotify.

[@markwhittaker6321]

Bob is still with us. That is beautiful. They needed a speech and Bob delivered this. Incredible.

[@tomgeorgearts]

I could listen to him talk all day and night... We are still waiting for part 2 of the autobiography Bob!!!

[@brucetoo3294]

Even when Bob is talking, he is delivering it like poetry--the way he delivers the lines.

[@jackstricharuk8125]

Never fail to enjoy Bob as I think he intended

[@RazorEdgeDF]

He's still far ahead of his time. Refusing to be incorporated he trudges a path by himself, which is inspiring enough.

[@AnnaLVajda]

Yeah he just does his own thing he's not trying to be a leader or follow anyone particularly either he has a meandering way about him. Many don't understand that as they wish to be leaders or followers themselves.

[@xkguy]

Wow, I've never heard Dylan speak. He is a gifted speaker. What a great sharing of personal insights and thoughts. I always wondered what his earliest musical exposure was. I pictured him listening to Texas radio in his bedroom in Hibbing. This is a special gift to those of us who have followed him for 50 years and some.

[@sukipuki1001]

I so admire the subtle, honest way he explains his literary roots so specifically without ego and places himself in "literature" so simply. Love ya, Bob.

[@SparkleBC]

Recorded 4 June, 2017 Los Angeles, CA USA I've watched this twice so far, think I'll listen to it now and again. Thank you Nobel Price for posting.

[@RobertSababady]

Bob Dylan at his best - a narrative of simplicity and honesty. As usual Bob Dylan speaks his mind in a clear manner focusing on what he wants to share and not on what others want him to share.

[@elizabethdjokovic2691]

This is a masterpiece. He really deserved the recognition that came with the Nobel Prize for literature. How many students today are given the foundation's he got from exposure to the classics at school. His response to the musical and literary influences in his early years was profound. His longevity as a performer and reverence for life speaks for itself.

[@Zedwoman]

This is a brilliant speech. Thank you, Bob Dylan!!! Again. And Again.

[@heidig7773]

“I had principles and sensibilities and an informed view of the world...and I’d had that for a while. Learned it all in grammar school.” Brilliant distillation of what our modern world has lost sight of. Love that, Bob.

[@nexusanx]

I could listen to Dylan talking over Jazz for days...so relaxing

[@margologan6593]

Wow. I never considered Bob Dylan until one year in concert, his opening act was Paul Simon's Graceland tour, it was elaborate & spectacular, but when Bob Dylan came out all alone, a singular figure on that big stage he was LARGER than LIFE. I was blown away and made me want to understand the words. I so respect him.

[@jeffwells1255]

What a privilege to be a contemporary of this incredible genius!

[@gustavderkits8433]

No commentary. Just enormous gratitude. Thank you!

[@DJrocker8000]

this is what deserves to be trending such majestic sophisticated beautiful composer of elegant keen knowledge

[@AjaySharma-me1sy]

This lecture is an international treasure and should be preserved for ages to come! I haven't ever known Bob Dylan talking this long, at least not in the last few decades. He is mostly shy about interviewing or just doesn't like to talk to people who'll only ask questions about himself. But man, this lecture, this lecture is a marvel of his rolling voice. We all know he is an exceptional writer and singer, it was hard to imagine he could be such a great narrator/orator when he starts talking. This made my day! I've almost worshipped Dylan since the first song I heard of him - "A hard rain's gonna fall". It was used in a documentary on Netflix about the Vietnam war. I still remember how his voice moved everything inside me. How I could not stop myself from researching all about the song, it's context, and why Dylan wrote it. In the recent few years, I have discovered that it was just one of the many wonderful songs he has created. Just like a book, his songs send you into a world of their own. I remember an afternoon last year when I kept listening to "Blowin' in the wind" on loop for 5 hours. It just sent me into a different state. When I was reading the biography of Steve Jobs, I came across the Dylan song that most impacted him in his youth - "The Times they are a Changing". Indeed, it fills you with a different energy, one that can make you believe in yourself and understand how every generation can have something revolutionary to offer to humanity. I have only accumulated more stories about the depth and imagery in his music. I am mesmerized!

[@stephenlee1756]

"his voice moved everything inside me" is a wonderful way of saying what so many of us have experienced.

[@michaelmiller2397]

I loved Bob's Sirius radio series...

[@robinlecky5620]

One gets lost in has words ... just like his music. Wonderful.

[@michaelbarnes4899]

He has been a treasure and important influence in my life since the first time I heard him. He still is. What a gift to all of us.

[@MichaelFenichel]

Overwhelmingly deep and powerful tribute to words and literature, with his Dylan-esque twist & brilliance. That's my take, FWIW. "Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, what happened to this?", Dylan begins, with soft piano in the background. Captain Ahab's mission, from whales to phrenology (in Moby Dick), religious themes and Greek philosophy across time. These and his musical vocabulary pervade "my songs as well", he explains. He quotes from the Odyssey and its theme of the long journey and memorable themes and lines: "Drugs have been dropped into his wine.... it's been a hard road to travel". Dylan explains how he was moved and shaped by things he read or discussed in school. Themes. So what does it all mean? "I'm not going to worry about what it all means", scrutinizing every detail. He doubts Melville would have either, with so much going on between mariner terms, Protestant doctrine, and whaling terminology. Sometimes, Dylan shared, "I don't know what it means either, but it sounds good, and you want your songs to sound good." The speech goes full circle from song to literature, for which Bob Dylan received a Nobel Prize: "Our songs are alive in the land of the living." But songs are unlike literature, meant to be sung, not read. Lyrics are meant to be sung, as the words in Shakespeare's plays are meant to be acted on a stage, and literature is meant to be read on a page. You can decide for yourself what it "means", but Dylan - who clearly is quite literate - spoke here for 27 minutes about the power of words. He ended by hoping that some who may not be familiar with his own, give a listen (not only read), as that's his "page" and "stage". Dylan ends with a hope that his words may be heard as intended, though clearly this is a masterpiece of "literary review" and a masterful essay on the relationship of literature to other arts. "I hope some of you get the chance to listen to these lyrics the way they were intended to be heard, in concert or on record or however people are listening to songs these days." Dylan ends by quoting Homer: "Sing in me own muse through me and through me, tell the story'". Dylan's stories, as lyric if not literature or poetry (in terms of Nobel prizes) are clearly a masterpiece. This speech is not only literature (despite a piano background) but it provides historical lessons as well as a look into thematic threads in Dylan's songs. This should be wonderful for existing fans to READ (or hear) and also help with young or unfamiliar audiences the reasons why this "singer" is so acknowledged for his words and stories. Thank you Nobel Org, too! A gift for the ages.

[@sr4663]

What a great treat. A peek into Bob's influences. Extremely eloquent as always.

[@marygilbertson5347]

2019 ... Good to hear the things that have impressed Him ... Glad He was able to receive credit for His Life's work ... Hearing Him speak is like having Him tell me a Bedtime Story 💖😘❤

[@michaelzemaitis3300]

All of those questions that people have been asking Bob for all these years... He just answered everything. Not that he hasn't said this a million times but this is the end all and be all...

[@grantdoyle492]

When I first heard Dylans music I was 17. He changed my life literally. I've said that many times to many people but never really understood it. I just turned 69 and now I get it. Bob Dylan is my hero in a world that needs them badly. This is the most moving speech that I have ever listened to. I wish Gregg Allman could have heard it. I think he would feel the same.

[@ratanchowdhury4232]

Grant Doyle

[@johndempsey8769]

It is amazing how powerful one voice, one guitar and a bit of harmonica can get. My favorite song and dance man, by far.

[@marcusbreen]

A roundabout explanation for a wonderful contribution to human life. Worthy of the Nobel!

[@rainbowq7611]

More than half a century ago, when I was 13 years old in Japan, I heard that "Blowing the wind" And I bought a guitar because I wanted to play a song, but I couldn't play it, but recently I can finally play it. I am honored to be four days away from him as a Crazy Gemini. And since I was born in Japan as a Korean, I emigrated to the United States in search of freedom and human rights. Plus I found it from this lecture that I love his intellect, and from his words and songs it turned out that his related messages struck me, and that I was due to the desire to know more about it.

[@jeffreywebb7932]

I love all his songs,so much.So rich and enduring.How did he do it?His lyrics from 64-66 will never be matched.Too great,to even be imagined.

[@HelianaSuper]

My God! When I studyied English and American ( USA)Literature, i never had desire read Moby Dick. I ever thowght this was a male book. And, now, with this speach of Bob Dylan, I know i was certain. What i loved to know is about the folk and blues music and his old friend. Dylan's speach is something profound, dense and almost impossible unsderstand... There are something of nostalgic, and tragic and misterious... but magic. However far from of your more lovely songs all world love... That I know without explication is: I love Bob Dylan, since 16 and l,ll love him forever... although I dont speack English....

[@asmith9040]

I don’t know what education he had but he is obviously highly intelligent . Eccentric too . What a guy.

[@Tipi_Dan]

His stream-of-consciousness presentation possesses all the genius in the sum of his works, yet reveals his essential humility. It turns out our heart-friend Bob did have something to live up to after all, Mom.

[@Petrolianzoolbar]

I'd never thought I'd hear these books retold in beat poetry. Hell, I thought beat poetry had gone and even Dylan had stopped using it, but I'm pleasantly surprised to stumble upon it blooming so unexpectedly..

[@dowunda]

This is amazing. "I don't know what it means either, but it sounds good, and you want your songs to sound good". Love it!

[@adeefeinstein]

“In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand at the mongrel dogs who teach Fearing not that I'd become my enemy in the instant that I preach My existence led by confusion boats, mutiny from stern to bow Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now” Preach on, Bob!

[@jeffreywebb7932]

Adee Feinstein man one of many of my favorite verses

[@claudiaboudreau5776]

As a young man who had empathy and compassion for the unjust treatment of innocent people and reflected from the mountain so all souls could see it and he knew his song well before he would sing it. He didn't know how deeply he touched our souls he wasn't even trying to do that. But the songs the stories everyone of them words still ring true to this world we live in now and forever. Thank you Bob Dylan you have touched many many generations who get it. Your words will live on and the fight for justice will continue.

[@randallbeasley3026]

My back pages ! One my all time favorites.

[@mariasoto171]

Just listen..a life becoming an artist...what joy.. I have read these books and agree..today no one reads the classics or looks inside one’s self..thank you Bob

[@benwilliams5492]

He's written a large chunk of Chronicles Volume Two here. Thanks for the words Bob.

[@gertanckaert3023]

yes, welcome to our world..this boomer has been a fan for 57 yrs...he informed my youthful ideals.

[@sidsingh9387]

His last comment was epic though. He implies his songs are indeed not poems, but Shakespeare's plays aren't novels either. Extremely crafty that, subtly filling in the mind of the listener with his likeliness to Shakespeare.

[@richardvsassoon5144]

hmmm...my take - he was filling in the gap between classic literature (books) and other classics - plays, for example, which were written with the stage as background.

[@pentelikos]

Yes Siddhant Singh, exactly, and quoting John Donne too - now firmly in the literary canon but a poet who broke all the rules in his day. Homer, of course was meant to be recited, not read.

[@sukipuki1001]

@@richardvsassoon5144 performance is what he's referring to

[@mr_camouflage9793]

Buddy holly has changed both john Lennon and bob Dylan. If buddy holly was still alive he would be pleased

[@triplucid3563]

So did muddy waters and also so did Chuck Berry

[@honeybozo]

So you think that just ‘cuz he’s left his body he’s dead? Being vibrant for life, is what Bob was sharing...... you just fell asleep....

[@woodfiredjack]

Congratulations Bob! Thank you for you endless contributions!

[@tedbarret8930]

I must've been 17 - 18 when I first heard Dylan...his album Blonde on Blonde changed the world to me...with his lyrics Dylan taught me how to look at the world differently, and to be brave and strong but not in the "traditional" way. To face injustice, to face war, to love wholeheartedly and to be a rebel for the cause of freedom. In 1970 I went to the movies at a theater in Woodstock, NY, and all of the 20 or so spectators were aware he was there watching it too with us. He left a few minutes before the movie ended. Those were the days...

[@RileyRampant]

Dylan is so right about everything, particularly Moby Dick. That novel is a marvelous universe, a sea chest full of everything under the sun. My favorite passage, the upper limit of human arrogance, will, intention, jihad, Calvinism : "Ahab is for ever Ahab, man. This whole act's immutably decreed. 'Twas rehearsed by thee and me a billion years before this ocean rolled. Fool! I am the Fates' lieutenant; I act under orders."

[@garethhawkins4710]

When Bob started his song writing career there was no youtube to get references from. He learned everything from books, reading and mopping everything up like a sponge. He spent the following years squeezing out all he had learned, putting it into the words of his songs. Ask him now of something he had read in the '60's and he could relate it all, Listen to that recollection of 'Moby Dick' and 'All quiet.......'' Absolutely amazing. What a command of a language this man has.

[@mare652]

It seems like he is still trying to answer the questions people have chased after him for during his whole career. I bet he was thinking 'here is the most in depth explanation I can give you people. Thanks for the award, now leave me alone.'