How Bob Dylan Writes a Protest Song

[@B0idh]

Desolation Row would be a great song by Dylan to use this format for.

[@piggybankvillan]

That'd be like an hour long video.

[@BoomCowCast]

Agree, would love to see a lyrical analysis of Desolation Row. I have never even been able to begin to understand that song.

[@kevindunne5022]

I learned that there actually was a postcard that was sold of a hanging that had taken place around Duluth. I always thought it was a nonsense line but there’s a lot of meaning to the opening lyric.

[@alekseycalvin534]

@@kevindunne5022 I vaguely recall some mention of this in one of the heftier tomes found on ye ol' college library's requisite Dylanology shelf... Likely something by Grail Marcus: the T. S. Eliot of rock writers (and perhaps one of the few, alongside Lester Bangs and Nick Kent and some others, approaching it as an art form in its own right). On his foray across the Desolation Row, Marcus may have classified it as a small town phantasmagoric theater of reified culture, filtered and looped by capitalism to the point of timelessness. Archetypes appear more real than individuals. The spectacular aspects of existence always at the fore. In our town, a ghost town eternity, one is more likely to be a half-translucent "Robin Hood" or an "Einstein" than a version of themselves, etc... Also see Marcus's great "Lipstick Traces: the Secret History of the 20th Century", concerned with the political/artistic avantgardes more broadly and the Situationist International specifically... Okay, I'm getting carried away. "selling postcards of the hanging" is also a spot on description of our present American circus of politics...

[@ricimercury9490]

That will take hours

[@sifatshams1113]

Desolation Row, Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, and Visions of Johanna would also make for great analysis videos.

[@rundoetx]

"Boots of Spanish Leather" and "Most Of The Time" are two great lyric songs. BUt "Every Grain Of Sand" may be one that crosses over into another dimension

[@graphite2786]

I'd like an analysis of Hard Rain. The history of it's composition and the symbolism is very interesting.

[@svalentine4667]

Agree ten times over with Desolation Row

[@benkennedy1216]

I agree with visions of Johanna. It's my favourite song and I think this channel would bring some interesting new insights to this piece.

[@elstonngunn4193]

It’s alright ma, stuck inside a mobile and hard rain are ones I’d like to see to Ramona aswell

[@SergeantPepper]

I always interpreted the chorus as Dylan dangling hope in front of us. By saying "now ain't the time for your tears" he's saying--while tragic--the (justice) system can (will?) prevail to bring some retribution to the guilty. But once you reach the last verse and are reeling from the horrible injustice just witnessed, now is the time give up any hope of fairness and weep for all the tragedies that have happened.

[@jaybee8764]

I think what he was getting at was that while it was a horrific injustice there's no time to get emotionally off centered because that energy would be better served by taking some sort of direct action to change the system that allowed such a sentence as well as such a huge income disparity gap/racism, etc.

[@lordbuddybear]

I see it as anger about the last aspect, that the law system is unjust, is even worse than the crime itself

[@Communitis]

I think that it may as well, most simply, be a criticism of the crocodile tears of performative white guilt, and the fact that ordinary people who are distant spectators to current events are so quick to display emotion and outrage before even fully taking in everything. And Dylan rightly presumes that this is going to be entirely new information to the listener of what so quickly became a hit song when this had barely even hit national news stands. It seems to me that's the simplest and most apt interpretation, as this has aways been present, and something hip people shine a light on. And Dylan, in essence, appears as a cool, collected, dispassionate, yet incisive voice that is clearly hip in this way, having positioned himself as the narrator of events who gets to very visibly take a stand on the issue.

[@DissectingtheDisco]

Love me some Bob Dylan. I don’t think there will be another artist like him ever again.

[@bilbebop3693]

@Jordan - artists like bob Dylan , Freddie Mercury,David Bowie,John Lennon and Jim Morrison all can matched in talent but each one has this almost mystical unique factor that makes them like none other no matter how you try to mimic them.

[@bigcheese2128]

@@bilbebop3693 they all have legends and myths built around them which have been built up over 60 or so years

[@thomasdavis7071]

Love to watch: - Boots of Spanish Leather - One of Us Must Know - Visions of Johanna - Brownsville Girl

[@Pumpkinking64]

There are so many Dylan songs to analyze, but I would love to see; Visions of Johanna, Chimes of Freedom, or My Back Pages.

[@jackson12ten85]

"oh, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"

[@svalentine4667]

In a soldier’s stance I aimed my hand at the mongrel dogs who teach, knowing not 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.

[@Ce13stialBunny]

I'd only heard this song very recently after picking up The Times They Are A-Changing Album. I was almost brought to tears. Not just Caroll's injustice but also that nothing has changed. The song is, unfortunately, still relevant today.

[@prototype23ify]

highly recommend the Rolling Thunder Revue version too, it's really different but equally amazing.

[@agustinblanco9519]

it always will be. dylans music is is both disappointingly and magnificently human

[@bigcheese2128]

@@agustinblanco9519 I’m a year late but just uncritically asserting that change isn’t possible only upholds the system further

[@ArtyFactual_Intelligence]

Celesté. I heard it through a tiny B&W TV back in 1964 or 1965 shown on a BBC short film. Transformative experience. Very little has changed. There is still a separate Justice Process for the rich, famous and corrupt (no names!!!).

[@blu1931]

Dylan was and still is a master of lyricism but the story's behind his songs are always beautiful. Balled In Plain D is a song that is based on his relationship with Suze Rotolo and i think its one worth looking into.

[@lazerfischmann1703]

No shade but Ballad in Plain D is the worst song of that entire part of Dylan's career. He really comes across as a shit human being in that song.

[@DanielGonzalez-zc7yh]

Bro it's literally one of my favourite songs

[@DanielGonzalez-zc7yh]

@@lazerfischmann1703 it's a great song

[@elstonngunn4193]

Lazer Fischmann I luv it but even Dylan said it was a mistake said it was far too harsh the lyrics are great tho I still like it

[@alsharpe]

@@DanielGonzalez-zc7yh its a terrible spiteful song. dylan himself hates it and regrets writing it

[@gragorynyauchi]

love minus/ no limit...statues made of matchsticks, ceremonies of the horsemen, banker's nieces seek perfection..every bar of that song is crazy

[@Beatle-Byrd]

Jokerman deserves this kind of in-depth analysis as well. I believe it to be one of his highest lyrical achievements. Great video.

[@seagullshame]

Doing one for It’s Alright Ma I’m Only Bledding would be an interesting challenge

[@kshreyasundar1921]

Definately. There's so much to delve into in that song.

[@valq10]

There's this moment when Dylan performs this live in Rolling Thunder Revue, when he delivers the line "six month sentence" it bursts out of him like he's been winded. In 1975 he was still as disgusted and dumbfounded as ever. It's one of the most powerful vocal deliveries I've ever seen/heard.

[@TheLiam14141]

I get that Dylan does a great amount of political songs, but I'd really like to see a lyrical reading of "Visions of Johanna". It's my favorite song of his and it definitely fits the "weird Dylan" stereotype.

[@dylanthompson8511]

I think the word your looking for is "Dylanesque"

[@jamiespacey2976]

in chapter 3 of "polyphonic Dylan" there's an interesting analysis by Charles O.Hartman of how Dylan creates a sense of placement in "visions of johanna" (page 61)

[@orlandosebastian282]

I'm so glad you did a video like this, Dylan's songs should be analyzed and studied just like we do with the classics of literature. One i would love you to do would be Stuck Inside The Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again or It's Alright Ma. Love From Dominican Republic.

[@joelwoods7934]

Can't help but notice in the third verse the repeated use of table and the rhyming syllables "able" followed by the internal rhyme of slain and cane. Feels like a reference to "Cain and Abel". Knowing Dylan, this is probably intentional, and if it is, wow. If it's not, then it's just a really neat coincidence, but this stood out to me here Edit: Even if the table/abel connection is coincidental, Slain by a Cane is definitely a biblical reference. Bob Dylan is such a genius

[@mrunalvora209]

Hey I do not know about Cain and Abel so if you have time can you kindly briefly talk about it...very interested

[@joelwoods7934]

Mrunal Vora Cain and Abel are from the bible. They’re two of the sons of Adam and Eve (the first humans in the bible). Cain murders Abel, and it’s the world’s first murder. A google search will tell you a lot more, but that’s the basics.

[@mrunalvora209]

@@joelwoods7934 Oh thanks a lot friend :)

[@yaeli_i_guess]

Wow. I hope that was intentional.

[@joelwoods7934]

I think the slain by a Cane line is too clear to not be intentional, but knowing Dylan, the table/Abel rhyme could very well be intentional as well.

[@alexnelson6808]

Changing of the Guards would be great for this video format!

[@AriOrSomething]

I feel like you should do this format with Desolation Row. Or, if you want, I'd like you to do this with War Pigs by Black Sabbath.

[@dragonxfilms]

I hope you do a video on Bob Dylan's "Masters of War"

[@dwc1964]

all verses, no chorus, unrelenting rage

[@kt-ql3tw]

@@dwc1964 I love how a hard rains, is structured the exact same. Yet very different

[@monacojerry]

I have one more thing to add: The historian Sean Wilentz, refers to songs such as "Hattie Carrol" and "Pawn in Their Game" as moral dramaturgy. I think that is exactly right. We are being asked to participate in a kind of social and political theater on a moral level. It is as if we are being told that we are the Greek Chorus in a Tragedy and we are the ones who are supposed to figure these things out. This last part is not Wilentz's thought but my add-on to his thought. Use it if you think it is worth something. You do a great job!! - P.S. I finally joined your Patreon channel at a level I can afford. Not bad for a 61-year-old guy, I hope. Thanks!

[@carloseduardofreitas2246]

Been really into Dylan these past weeks and recently listened to this song for the first time in the Rare Performances album. A real showcase of Bob’s fine storytelling through his songs and of how brilliantly he adresses important issues in his lyrics. Thanks for the videos, the analyses are always great!

[@chrislantz3660]

I'll add a vote for "It's Alright Ma...", my favourite Dylan song. But it might need to be a multi-part odyssey. I've always wanted to so a sermon series just on this song alone. "Money doesn't talk, it swears" "He not busy being born is busy dying" "Make everything from toy guns that spark /To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark/It's easy to see without lookin' too far/That not much is really sacred" "Startles your sleeping ears to hear /That somebody thinks they really found you "It is not he, or she, or them, or it /That you belong to" Love the channel, and loved this video!

[@LdeinerProductions]

I would not mind seeing more videos like this.

[@kiashangovender5221]

Bob Dylan's lyrics are amazing, pure genius

[@alexverter585]

can’t wait to see Desolation Row in this format! and more Dylan’s songs (such as Highway 61 revisited, it’s alright ma, bob dylan’s 115th dream) on the channel! thank you for your work!

[@beccaharri5603]

In my opinion Percy's Song is one of Dylan's most underrated songs - I wrote on self-reflexivity in Dylan's early lyrics for my uni dissertation, and Percy's Song is fascinating in its complex structure, play with temporality and the way that he explores his role as a songwriter. Something I found in my studies is that most of his most self-reflexive (moments where he talks about himself as a songwriter) are hidden, perhaps deliberately so, in his 'side tracks' and 'outtakes'. I found this to be super interesting and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on Percy's Song.

[@GHALMJ]

I think that "Idiot Wind" would be a great song to analyse.

[@jeffreysutherland2186]

If you could do Visions of Johanna that would be amazing! It’s by far my favourite Dylan tune

[@erikeriks]

These videos are just so interesting I think it's the asthetic

[@Sunkenballs12]

Must be cuz lyrical break downs of bob Dylan got old a long time ago

[@Romana6794]

@@Sunkenballs12 Your here listening too🤷

[@stefanroadman4180]

For me I'd love to see you do this with All along the watchtower

[@long_dan]

Me too! Even though I’ve always found that song quite appealing from an aesthetic point of view, to me it’s full of symbols I’ve never been able to decipher.

[@hubertsumlin9697]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5-ZmHaofMqNnKM

[@long_dan]

hubert sumlin Thank you for the link! 👍🏻

[@existentialcrisisactor]

Please do more of these from any artist. This was amazing

[@maxim_eold5694]

The format is amazing. I definitely want to see more of this. I really like Dylan so I'd appreciate more videos on his songs, but I also can imagine other artists being analyzed

[@kyletate3199]

Yesssss! Please keep doing this. I'd love to see one on Blind Willie McTell

[@matthewchomiuk7393]

Love these Dylan videos. Would love to see you dissect Mr. Tambourine Man. Personally, his performance of this song at Newport Folk Festival is my favorite.

[@JohnNoirSmith]

Oh, Bootleg Series Vol. 5 is just my all time favorite Dylan album, and linking to its version of the song was just perfect

[@blackeyedlily]

Dylan is indeed my favorite artist as well, of any genre. I would love to see you tackle My Back Pages. An early gem as well.

[@brunilda12]

Love this. I’m a little obsessed with Dylan. Maybe Changing of the Guard or Jockerman, just because everyone else already mentioned Sad Eye Lady or Desolation Row.

[@gumbycat5226]

This is Bob Dylan's most potent song. I do think this is his best song, which is a big statement for someone who has loved him since age 15 in 1972.

[@keysersoze9040]

MORE BOB DYLAN! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

[@jennifertheyowiehunter8753]

Format was great. Maybe try “only a pawn in their game” that’s interesting

[@joannesmeulewaeter4074]

man, polyphonic is just one, if not the best channel I know on KZbin. Incredible video!

[@krycklund]

I always interpreted the recurring "Now's now the time for your tears" as a way of saying "But wait, it gets worse"

[@alancarne8111]

Genius poetry from a youth of 23 years. Incredible and incomprehensible.

[@deadmonkey2834]

I’d love for you to analyze Hurricane

[@rocky-o]

i love your videos and i love this format...as a songwriter and poet, thru my books and album i have always been conscious of the content...i appreciate you taking these lyrics to another level...if you do more, i think 'masters of war' and 'desolation row' would be two very interesting choices....thanks for everything...peace...rocky

[@almadelatierra5153]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I love this format!!! Please do other videos like this!!! Like tambourine man, hurricane, knocking on heavens door

[@chadwhite1198]

Holy shit. I watch and enjoy every video that you make, but this one is by far my favorite! I am a giant Dylan fan and I love the perspective that you give here. I would encourage you to continue to do videos like this! Lyrics are an often overlooked part of music, but they are so important. Thanks for teaching me more about this great song.

[@qozmiq]

THIS. This is why I will never, ever miss one of your videos. Shared. Shared so hard.

[@ethanwells2103]

Excellent video man. I’ve been doing a real deep dive on The Times They Are A-Changin’, and this song has been really heavy in my rotation. Very groundbreaking song.

[@dstock209]

This was so good. Thank you. I would watch any song of Dylan’s that you do. maybe: 1) ballad of a thin man 2) it’s all over now baby blue

[@pazzrihen]

Great video man Would love to see one for Hurricane, Stuck Inside of Mobile or Queen Jane Approximately

[@johnthewoodsman]

Bravo! I First heard this tune as a teen 40 yrs ago, and the song still breaks me to this day. I appreciate your nuanced interpretation. Would enjoy your interpretation of other Dylan tunes as well. Here's to hearts and the hands of the men, who came with the dust and are gone w the wind!

[@imadlebiar1546]

I want to thank you for making this, and getting a song like this to some people that might have not listened to it yet, I think a video on"it's alright ma" would be great Hurricane is also so close to this song btw!

[@JasonRotherMusic]

My favorite song by Dylan is “Don’t think twice, it’s alright.” It got me through my breakup. As a matter of fact I got that quote tattooed on my arm

[@stevenlaird676]

This format could easily work to analyze, not just one song, but one constant theme of Dylan's: the Flood. From Hard Rain to High Water, this theme runs through so many of his songs, it begs to be explored. And you can do it!

[@mariopacheco5251]

Hey, I think it could be cool to choose some of the more surreal or abstract lyrics. Maybe something like Highway 61 Revisited or Just Like Thumb Tom's Blues. Also exploring stories like The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest would be amazing . Love your takes on Dylan btw.

[@JamoboBorg]

Along with more Dylan, it would also be great to get more from other fantastic lyricists like Cohen and Mitchell!

[@fornostios8970]

Had a rough day today. Thanks for this upload Polyphonic!

[@allisoncrawford4240]

Love this format. Your Bob Dylan videos are my favorite. You should do Visions of Johanna or Desolation Row next!

[@apestrong]

Please do more close lyrical readings just like this, especially of Bob Dylan.

[@frankwaterstheory]

Loved it! Maybe Isis, Murder Most Foul, Live Minus Zero/No Limit or Subterranean Homesick Blues of course.

[@leonardklein620]

I know it would probably create a video twice the length of this one, but it feels to me that analyzing "Desolation Row" would be perfect for this series!

[@caseyhooper4779]

Love this thank you! I would suggest “Changing of the Guards”

[@honorgriffinvictor77]

I definitely wouldn’t mind more videos like this. Desolation Row is one of Dylan favorites, hope you have a go at that one.

[@LuisPerez-zf3xz]

Your videos about Dylan were what really got me into him. Thanks to you he is one of my favorites musicians/artists. I would love to se a video about Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts!!

[@noahevans4510]

I'm always excited to see Dylan content on your channel.

[@minitumen]

Loved the format! Even if the other stuff of yours is really great, this is right up my alley!

[@AlexAdams25]

A lyrical analysis of Bob Dylan’s “Lily,, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts” would be an amazing video.

[@mrunalvora209]

I recently heard 'Bob Dylan's Dream' and what a song it is about friendship and longing...kinda relates to everyone...would love to have its analysis

[@grandpop]

these videos always keep me thinking man especially when you deep dive on a song or band.

[@michaelturner4755]

This was brilliant mate, loved the new direction. Desolation row would be a great one to analyse

[@deancheney4008]

You just keep perfecting your craft polyphonic, love your vids!

[@peggyjohnsonmusic]

I really enjoyed your piece on The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

[@lewismasonmusic]

You should create a series where you break down songs or albums of his. TIME OUT OF MIND!!! Loved this!

Time out of Mind sucks.

[@Exiled_Rouge]

Two Dylan songs have always felt elusive to me most are, One More and As I Went Out One Morning. I mean you pick anything off Desire and Blood on the Tracks. But, "You never learned to read or write, there are no books on your shelf..." will alway flip my brain. Analyze that song.

[@aishwaarykumar7310]

hey man love your work , i don't know if you take recommendations but could you do a video on Johnny Cash? most people think his lyrics are quite straight forward but ive always had the unpopular opinion that something deeper lies underneath . Also love your work and its helped with listening to songs with a perspective. keep up the good work man.

[@ratfat17]

Great video! I don’t know too many Dylan songs, but I’m partial to “With God On Our Side”

[@mrjules1982]

My all-time favorite Dylan song. And I couldn't imagine a more relevant song, with the Breonna Taylor case ruling this week. Now is the time for our tears indeed.

[@messiahmoose]

It’s Alright Ma is worth a deep dive. I always thought Up To Me was really nice to read without music. And I think No Time To Think is one of best thing’s he’s ever done lyrically but that’s a deep deep cut. Loved it FYI.

[@justadude3458]

I honestly really likes this format of going over the songs. Breaking it down in parts and showing us the lyrics while explaining it. Very well done

[@thehowlinglords5245]

This was pretty cool, doing the likes of Elliot Smith, Lou Reed and Johnny Cash would be a good deep dive

[@isidroguzman9815]

Beautiful analysis I know this is a stretch, but you should do an video about Dirge, one of Dylan's most underrated songs. Also Visions of Johanna would be amazing...

[@Fufflunsify]

I'd love a look at "it's all over now baby blue". Such strong writing in that one

[@DismasM]

That was great. I'd love to hear you break down Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues. So many Dylan lyrics to choose from, but I always come back to that one.

[@dasbuj]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Dylan on Rough and Rowdy Ways. I think there's a lot you could work with. I Contain Multitudes, My Own Version of You (i love the Frankenstein parallel in that one), his musings on his own mortality in I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You. I'm sure you could make an hour long video talking about Murder Most Foul too. Love ur stuff Poly :-)

[@peterdas3731]

Great video and very insightful. Thanks! Please make more of these videos. I would be interested in a close lyrical reading of Jokerman and Gates of Eden.

[@quinncooke9565]

I really liked this format. :) Keep up the great work.

[@eyesisee]

This is exactly EXACTLY the content I'm looking forward to! You've done a great with this one. Please, do more

[@erik4d952]

Great Format!

[@jacobmuller8586]

Black Diamond Bay is filled with literary techniques, is extremely subtle and perfectly vague. Most wont know the song, but Hattie Carrol just as well ;) if you're up for the challenge.

[@drewhatcher2374]

I love the format, you should explore further . Anything from Blood on the Tracks would be perfect as you could explain the references and compare it to his real life.

[@Narwhil]

I’d love to see one like this on “only a pawn in their game”

[@gabycarreon8176]

I love this new format. I think the next Bob Dylan song should be she belongs so me. I would love to see your take on one of my favorite songs.

[@julian3265]

Brownsville Girl would be great! One of his longer songs but the lyrics are not as surreal and complicated as the other ones. Kinda underrated and unknown outside the Dylan fanbase. And Dylan's delivery it's just so funny and heart-wrenching!

[@jonathangathercole8228]

Absolutely loved this format of video! Would love to hear your insights on Visions of Johanna, or dare I say, Desolation Row 😅❤

[@esbensivebk8406]

Really interesting video. You should definitely make more videos in this format. Would love to see "Visions of Johanna" or "As I Went Out One Morning"

[@jeffhight3138]

I’d be interested in an analysis of “My Own Version Of You.” Love the channel man!

[@InstantRequestTV]

Loved this video and the analysis of the lyrics only. I hope you can do "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"

[@majucarvalho5558]

Please please make more content like this. I loved it!!

[@peterbutlien1335]

I very much enjoyed this. You should continue to take these deep looks into lyrics.

[@ALF1996xx]

Would love to see more of these! Any song you see fit!