THE INTRODUCTION OF BOB DYLAN TO THE 🌎?! First Time Hearing Bob Dylan - Mr. Tambourine Man Reaction!

[@jasonking2976]

I've always seen this song as being about creativity, and chasing the muse, rather than being about drug use.

[@anotheryou218]

Trying to "understand" Dylan is a fool's errand, and will cause you to miss everything that's glorious about his lyrics. So sad to see almost everyone making this mistake. Just let the lyrics pick you up and fly you to a marvelous place inside you. It's a feeling that great poetry can give us access to, which thinking cannot accomplish.

[@gilevin100]

So very true

[@bert0522]

Well said my friend. Jim

[@ptournas]

One of the most sensible posts I've seen on the subject!

[@redflag4781]

Amen

[@mjy34222]

People insist this song is about drugs. It is not. Dylan is describing the creative process and the drive to created art in music or poetry or whatever. Following the tambourine man is following your art. Dylan would never write a song specifically about drugs.

[@dragon-ed1hz]

Rainy Day Women?

[@batman_jones]

I'm sure he enjoyed the double-entendre but Rainy Day Women isn't about getting high, though it's natural to assume that. It's actually about stoning people, as in "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." The poster above is right; Dylan has never written a song specifically about drugs.@@dragon-ed1hz

[@alphajava761]

Dylan is a big wanderer, he likes to take long walks late at night as the cities sleep that he's toured through, he does this long after shows are over to unwind from the energy. There's meaning to this song that has to do with more than walking but that is a big part of Dylan's personal habits .. to take long walks. He still takes these long walks on the neverending tour of his career.

[@johnwest7993]

@@batman_jones, I don't think Dylan has written too many songs that were specifically about any 1 thing, though songs like Hurricane of course are. But once he gets cryptic, various lines could have a plethora of meanings.

[@j.kittredge]

This is a wake up statement - the opening announcement of the 60's.

[@gkiferonhs]

There is a reason Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature. He is not only brilliant musically, but his poetry (lyrics in some cases) is exquisite. It's worth looking at books of Dylan's poetry and lyrics. Like most good poetry it tells you different things on different days.

[@dagmar.6954]

Bob Dylan is a legendary songwriter poet starting in the 60's. So many great songs such as "Blowin' In The Wind", "Don't Think Twice It's Alright", "The Times They Are A-Changin'", "Like A Rolling Stone", "Shelter From The Storm", "Lay Lady Lay" etc. The 60's group The Byrds covered a lot of his songs including "Mr. Tambourine Man". In 1988 Bob Dylan joined the supergroup the "Travelling Wilburys" which included George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison & Tom Petty.

[@SG-js2qn]

Dylan was a trendsetter. "Like A Rolling Stone" (1965) was an early hit from when he switched from acoustic folk songs to electric guitar and rock. He was booed when he made this switch, because fans thought he was selling out, but it went the other way. Instead of Dylan selling out to make pop music, pop rock bands like the Beatles turned more serious in imitation of Dylan. This was transformative for rock music, as it largely abandoned teeny bopper bubble-gum surf pop for mature themes and styles. While it's always hard to draw a border line or pick a specific turning point, this song is a good candidate for being a change agent. Dylan also introduced the Beatles to pot, apparently, which kind of makes him patient zero for what happened after. lol

[@jordimoore2167]

Try some of his later songs, like Lay Lady Lay, a love song.

[@thomastimlin1724]

A "change agent" is less about a specific song and more about Dylan himself.

[@SG-js2qn]

@@thomastimlin1724 Yes, no doubt. Very influential as a person, not just as an artist. For instance, apparently in Dylan talking with John Lennon, Lennon realized that he could write write songs about himself, and not just about other people. Which really cranked the door open for Lennon's iconic style and catalog. Dylan was the change agent in rock.

[@wildwillie5408]

I remember reading or watching a story about Dylan also telling the Beatles he liked their music but it had nothing to say. So Bob my have given them some critical advice along with the pot...lol. later Beatles music would support that story.

[@dwhite849]

bob is a great painter - both on canvas and on record

[@glass2467]

His lyrics are intellectual poetry. Often very deep. I wouldn't be looking for drug references in Dylan, although there are some from time to time. It's more social, psychological and intellectual. Also, music in general touched on much deeper concepts back in the 60s - much more than most music today.

[@ingobordewick6480]

This actually is about drugs. The "tambourine man" is a drug dealer.

[@peterginger]

Some say mr. Tambourine man is his muse.

[@darrellwhitman4756]

​@ingobordewick6480 Dylan said Mr. Tambourine Man was guitarist Bruce Langhorne, who had a large Turkish tambourine. Definitely not a drug dealer.

[@ingobordewick6480]

Dylan said a lot of things about his songs. Mostly he wanted the people to think for themselfs what it is about...@@darrellwhitman4756

[@batman_jones]

A lot of people think that but it isn't about drugs. Even "Rainy Day Women #12 and 35" with its hook "Everybody must get stoned" was much more about the practice of stoning people than it was about getting high, though I'm sure he enjoyed the double-entendre. That comes from pretty much every serious Dylan academic and from Dylan himself, though Dylan is a slippery and unreliable narrator. His interviews are fantastic that way, they're unlike any others. It's a common misunderstanding but the "tambourine man" isn't a drug dealer. The "tambourine man" was an actual tambourine player that was in the studio with him. He liked his sound and then he just let the song take off from there. It's not about a thing, it's about a feeling. And it's not as much about his feeling when he wrote it as it about your feeling when you hear it. As some earlier comments pointed out, trying to figure it out kind of undermines what he's actually offering you. Lean back and let it wash over you. Let it happen to you. It's a poem that will mean something different to everyone if they let it, if they're "ready to be wandering." Here's something relevant he said in a 1984 interview: It’s like saying, “What’s that song about?” I mean, you know, it’s not about… that’s what it’s about. “Have you heard the song?” “Yeah, I’ve heard the song.” “Well, what’s it about?” “Well, have you heard it?” “Yeah, I’ve heard it.” “Well, that’s what it’s about. It’s about that.” Dylan's songs aren't riddles to be solved, they're more than that. They mean whatever they mean to you. Isn't that wonderful?

[@SknezE]

I LOVE Bob Dylan. The lyricism of this man is legendary. The way he paints a picture is unlike anything. And it's beautiful. And yes, the depth of the situations he describes just fill my soul. One of my favorite songs is Remona. If you get a chance, listen to that one. This song does make me think of Tamburine Man - drugs or drug dealer - and being high but also just the loneliness and emptiness. I love this song. I don't have to know what every line means. I just feel it deeply.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

The last verse is one of my favorite lyrics I’ve ever heard……this was HUGE when it came out…especially the cover by The Byrds.

[@JamesLachowsky]

Interesting that the last verse was left off the Byrds cover.

[@marthahazen4670]

The lyrics in all of Dylan's songs are the wonder that is Bob Dylan. Remember that he won a Nobel Prize for literature for the body of his work. As for the musical part, the Byrds took the song to a level that made it so popular.

[@edprzydatek8398]

And he is the only singer/songwriter to EVER be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

[@thomastimlin1724]

And I Love the Byrds, but they were forced by time constraints for a single 45 rpm record on the radio at the time, which was a giant number one hit, to only sing a chorus, a verse and a chorus. That leaves a lot of poetry out of the experience unfortunately.

[@kirpalite]

The imagery, the rhyming schemes, the incredible alliteration, and the other worldly images, and the feeling of serenity helped me escape from some of the insanity of the world back in the 1960s, and even now. Another timeless masterpiece by the Nobel Prize winner for literature.

[@danielmarshall3102]

It can be interpreted in different ways. Personally as a musician I read it as choosing to be lead away by the music of the "Tamborine Man". In other words let the music carry you away from the doldrums of his current state of mind and place (Empty Streets). Kind of like "Follow the Pied Piper". You two are actually following this feeling every time I see a song really carry you away by your reaction.

[@janetmueller9195]

It's not about drugs! It's poetry about life!

[@donnaneville192]

Bob may not have the vocal quality people love but he is is a poet, songwriter, and humanitarian. He is the Pulitzer prize winner and NOBEL Prize winner.

[@elston3153]

I think Dylan has great voice, his phrasing and his delivery are insane and the Imagery is like a film coming out of your speakers

[@vincentvancraig]

It’s really unique how it’s his sometimes “talking-like” delivery that imposes itself n his melodies …his unique verbal phrasing…a lot of the young hip hop fan reactors are absolutely blown away by bob when they first hear him, & they love him, which makes me feel good to see him get props…bob is for all generations…i was 20 in 1996 when I got into him.

[@Mainecoonlady.]

Bob Dylan is a poet, a philosopher and musician. Intense combination. Folk music in the 60s was a pop culture from hippie to drug to freedom. Dylan and Cat Steven were amazing!!!

[@tamirat705]

Got to see him live a few months ago in Kansas City. He was absolutely brilliant, still selling out shows in his 80’s!!!

[@t0dd000]

My personal favorite of his: Don't Think Twice, It's Alright

[@RockinMamaT]

Bob was incredible poet and his lyrics are always deep❤

[@happymethehappyone8300]

An Incredibly Talented Group With A Large Catalog Of Beautiful Music..Firefall "Just Remember I Love You"❤

[@kathleenswift7979]

My favourite Bob song is Boots of Spanish Leather, so good😁

[@alanFconrad]

My favorite song of all time

[@vincentvancraig]

Whatever circumstances it was written, every time I hear this song, I think more & more it’s what started the whole psychedelic music mivement in the 60’s…it made the Beatles write more “real words”….later this year the Grateful Dead formed, the doors formed, Hendrix fell in love with bob & moved to England, cream formed in 66, the Beatles did revolver the next summer, their most acid-soaked album to date, & everything exploded from there…all the 60’s genius music goats adored bob

[@jmweed1861]

This is my favorite Bob Dylan song. It also when to Number 1 of the Byrds cover too.

[@ralphkern380]

The "Poet Laureate" of my generation. Many of his songs charted well - when recorded by someone other than Dylan. This one was an exception. A song written in similar style is "When the Ship Comes In"

[@Mare_bear738]

I first got into Dylan in the early 90s. I most enjoyed that his writing/lyrics were so different, poetic, and deep. Many people didn't like his voice, but I liked it. It really grew on me. There was just something that grabbed me about his music. My favorite was "Like a Rolling Stone."

[@lifeandfaith]

Bob Dylan moved the culture dial along.

[@davidverry9214]

For me the song is about music and how it affects us physically and emotionally. Such wonderful imagery of movement , “wandering boot heels,” laughing,spinning,swirling”, “escaping on the run”, “dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free” wonderful stuff. Oh the number one hit was The Byrds version which was a rock version.

[@MattJocks]

Please do Hurricane, a true story told with off-the-charts anger and passion. It's hard to think of anything like it.

[@BRIANZ969]

Love Bob Dylan !!!!!!

[@mimichapman6210]

As a kid in the sixties I learned Bob Dylan songs before i ever heard him. The first was 'Blowin in the Wind.' Teenage camp councillors passed on the folk and protest movement songs to the under 10 set long before before we bought a single 45.

[@matthewbecker964]

There is no one way to understand poetry. It is what it does for you thats important. It is about the words creating a different reality - It is about feeling not thinking. Sometimes with poetry that resonates for you, the mind just stops all together and something else takes over

[@tonesmyth]

As a kid growing up in the sixties, I first heard this on the radio by the Byrds, who released it just after Dylan. A lot of Dylan's exposure to the masses was initially through much more radio friendly bands. I believe it was the Byrd's shorter version that quickly topped the pop charts in the sixties and virtually launched the folk-rock genre!

[@supasoulproductions]

This is, indeed, one of his most famous songs. Most people are more familiar with The Byrds more pop cover. That was the one that went to #1.

[@jeremyfagner6808]

Bob Dylan has said that Mr. Tambourine Man was inspired by Bruce Langhorne who was a guitar player for Bob Dylan on a lot of early records. He always had a gigantic tambourine with him. That is what Bob Dylan has said about it.

[@darrellwhitman4756]

This is true. He also cited the Fellini film La Strada, wild scenes witnessed at Mardi Gras, and Lord Buckley's use of "jingle jangle".

[@iandavis3566]

This is one of your uncle Gary's favorite songs, always with him when I hear this. Nice job 👍❤️

[@festidious2644]

What's more popular than, 'Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again?' You NEED to do that one.

[@lenny_len]

That's poetry❤

[@TerenceDixon-l6b]

Bob was influenced by many literary sources, including Italian Renaissance poets and he often references them in his lyrics. As for his musicality, he was greatly influenced by folk singer Woodie Guthrie and his 'walking blues' in his early, acoustic phase, he later turned to electric instruments. He has great poetry as well, to describe a starry night as a "diamond sky" is simple yet brilliant. He is great at the 'put down', his song 'Like a Rolling Stone' is cruel and cutting, but his song 'Sara' is gentle and loving, he has a great range.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Bob Dylan "Things Have Changed",,"Simple Twist Of Fate",, "Lay Lady Lay",, "Tangled Up In Blue",, "Like A Rolling Stone",, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door",, "Just Like A Woman",, "Shelter From The Storm",, "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall",, Etc..Etc.

[@bert0522]

Bob was the Shakespeare of my generation. Jim

[@Smitty8858]

Gotta do "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". Just a beautiful song

[@gkiferonhs]

A lot of bands had big hits covering some of BD's songs. Jimi Hendrix, “All Along the Watchtower” , The Byrds, “Mr. Tambourine Man”, Dolly Parton, “Don’t Think Twice” to name a few.

[@patticampana9458]

Such a poet.

[@roxannanelson1436]

Bob Dylan - "Gotta Serve Somebody" (Official Audio) and "Lay Lady Lay" are two of my favorite Dylan tunes. It's a side of him that needs no explanation. U will like them guaranteed !!!

[@batman_jones]

It took until the late 70s or even 1980 for Dylan to receive his first Grammy award. It was for "Gotta Serve Somebody." Not for "Best Song," for "Best Male Vocal." A lot of people say they love his lyrics but don't like his voice. I love his lyrics but I love his voice even more. Or rather I should say his voices because he has had so many of them. The sound of his voice in "Lay Lady Lay," the first track of his country album "Nashville Skyline" was a shock to Dylan followers. He'd quit smoking and started crooning. It's entirely different than anything that came before and after the followup "Self-Portrait," he stopped crooning again and moved onto another different style. Decades later he would become a different sort of crooner, on his own songs and even on a trio of albums entirely comprised of Frank Sinatra covers. Dylan is a chameleon, he is weird as hell and impossible to pin down because he won't let you. As soon as anybody thinks they know what he's doing, he changes what he's doing. He's been a Woody Guthrie acolyte folk singer, a protest singer, an anti-protest singer (see: "My Back Pages"), a proto-rapper, an abstract poet, a rock and roller... he's written and sung country songs, gospel songs, blues songs, at least one jazz song ("When Dogs Run Free"), and even recorded a pretty reggae sounding album in "Infidels". In the song "Brownsville Girl" he sings "The only thing we knew for sure about Henry Porter was that his name wasn't Henry Porter." The same could be said of Dylan whose given name was Robert Zimmerman, because the only thing we can know for sure about Bob Dylan is that his name wasn't Bob Dylan. Anything else we think we know, he'll turn it on its head and turn it into the opposite of itself. That's actually what I love most about him. In the song "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" he sings "he not busy being born is busy dying." Even at age 82, still on the road, still playing and singing his songs differently each and every night, still telling his band never to do the same thing twice, still never doing the same thing twice himself (watch him try to lip-sync to a recording of one of his own songs, he literally can't do it), Dylan almost seems to wake up a different person every day. In ways unlike any artist before or after him, Dylan is still, constantly busy being born.

[@elishuk9942]

Sometimes Bobs lyric are simply cool creative phrases that sound good with his music and singing! Next on list: The times they are a Changin" Hurricane, Tangled up in Blues, All along the Watchtower, Shelter from the Storm. If you listen to just these four, you will go the rest of the way on your own.

[@janna2245]

Nobel Prize in poetry. He's amazing

[@michaeldezego340]

The cover of this song by the group The Byrds is very good.

[@oslafoirausuebutuoy5457]

In many of his songs he puts lots of references or homages to literary works, particularly poetry, as well as historical events and religion. I have seen a couple of analysis of his lyrics and they are surprinsingly full of references and multiple meanings.

[@anthonyvictor3034]

Bob is a poet… of Nobel quality.

[@robertjones9733]

Bob Dylan comes out of a folk song background and at this time folk songs were still popular on the charts. As a folk singer his songs spoke of simple experiences in a deep and profound way that touched your soul. The song explains that it is very early one morning on the streets of Greenwich Village in NYC. The prior evening with all its experiences of a young person (empire) is fading and he happens along a tambourine man in the street. The rest is pure poetry. To those of us dropping acid and smoking weed back in the day the song took us on a trip.

[@BillO964]

Bob was a true poet.

[@jillk368]

Interesting interpretation. I would add to it that maybe when we're young (or any age, for that matter) we're all looking for that Tambourine Man; whether it's someone or something to follow or believe in or whether it's seeking direction or guidance - - that lost soul feeling. As a kid, we all just assumed that it was someone looking for their drug dealer - - then again, a lot of what we follow today are like drugs, with dealer names like Twitter, Instagram, and even KZbin.

[@TomFurr-uc1hj]

This is pure poetry in a song

[@Alex9H]

It is about the source of inspiration, his muse and creativity😊

[@129robertp]

Its the essence of the 60's early 70"s that's in the spirit of the song and probably hard to grasp now.

[@edwardmeradith2419]

It’s not ‘about’ something, it ‘is’ somethinge- on a relatable level, he makes me feel like he’s been awake too long, (to say it’s about drugs to me is really reductive) he’s been made wise beyond his years, he eyes may y have seen more than he’s ready for, he needs relief, escape, to be in touch with the joy and innocence he remembers having but has lost.

[@ChicagoBulls1984]

Just subscribed. I'm going to request Bob Dylan's 'Jokerman' from the 80s. 😊

[@danielroach1241]

Another plus, after Bob Dylan you will know what the deepest dive is. One less thing to worry about.

[@ronreynolds1610]

Dylan lyrics contain multitudes of meanings, interpretations and opinions but mostly, the listener gets what they're own experience ......

[@beckiramsey9561]

I am glad you did a lyric video! I have heard this song many times, but I don’t think I really heard the lyrics. It feels like going through his mind whether or not he is dreaming or just traveling through his mind/thoughts mentally and emotionally! Dylan is definitely an amazing artist! Very unique!🔥🔥 Glad you guys enjoyed it, great reaction!👍👍

[@btj-oo8xc]

Dylan didn't take this to no1, it was a much more commercial cover by the Byrds. Try Dylan's version of 'A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall', which was covered by Bryan Ferry in the early 70's

[@raymeedc]

Check out “It’s All Right, Ma” solo live on KZbin or the studio version for some remarkable word play. For catchier, fun as all get out word absurd, hit “Subterranian Homesick Blues”. for more melodic RomCom, “I Want You” & “Just Like A Woman”….. many sides to Dylan.

[@dougsusie2319]

Two others that are a must from this Lp "Bringing It All Back Home". It's Alright Ma" (I'm Only Bleeding)" On this song you'll see that American BS hypocrisy really hasn't changed at all since 1965, it amazes me and one hell of a must listen. The other is "Subterranian Homesick Blues" give that a listen and try to tell me that this cat wasn't rapping decades before rap was even a concept. I stopped trying to figure Dylan out at least three decades ago. I never know what the hell he's talking about in any interview. My favorite story and you can watch this. George Harrison had been great friends since they met in 1964. Tom Petty tells this funny story while with The Traveling Wilbury"s George said to Petty "I've known Bob for a very long time but half the time I don't understand what the hell he's talking about. It must be all the Americanism's or something" Petty told George"I'm a born American and I don't know what the hell he's talking about? Hilarious to hear Petty tell it. One more note: Great art doesn't need any bells and whistles to make it great so just enjoy it for what it is. Dylan and The Beatles are the only two on the top of music's Mt. Rushmore for a reason and that's because they're some very gifted and unique individuals. The likes of these 5 guys aren't gonna be seen again. At least not in my lifetime and certainly not yours. To think that the sixties gave us both of these musical gifts. A very unique decade indeed in music history. So much great music in every genre. Something in the way the stars or universe lined up, I don't know what the hell happened there. Peace ❤❤

[@deirdre108]

During the time Dylan was writing songs like MTM he was reading a lot of French Symbolism poetry, Rimbaud, Verlaine, and Baudelaire especially. In some of his songs he'll make references to the poets' works and sometimes even name drops them.

[@dylanthompson8511]

Its about the simple love of music. Mr Tambourine man is the Muse.

[@fredjones7675]

as with any good and influential art, it "means" what you as a listener or looker wants it to "mean" ..... we are products of our experiences and environments and the myriad of discussions that the art generates is all the validation it needs

[@nthdegree1269]

Bob Dylan is unmatched in terms of lyrics...he can move from the abstract to the concrete in amazing ways. So many different styles. Visions of Johanna life is brilliant. Check out some of his performances from the '66 period In KZbin "Visions of Johanna (Live at Royal Albert Hall, London, UK - May 26, 1966)"

[@berniegray4987]

Masters of War Bob Dylan

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Phil & Sam, a good song from Jason and the Scorchers is a Bob Dylan song called Absolutely Sweet Marie, Your Welcome♥

[@cletushouse906]

I don’t think Dylan had acid in mind here, but if YOU were on acid then this would make perfect sense to you.

[@joelsanoff8228]

A guitarist named Bruce Langhorne played on Dylan's early albums. And one day Langhorne brought a large African percusive instrument to a session and Dylan thought it looked like a big tambourine so he started calling Langhorne "Mr Tamnbourine Man.," And it's too easy to call it 'acid inspired." The lyrics are about that time in the night when you're tired but can't fall asleep and the mind starts to wander into a pre-dreamlike state.

[@MustafaAshah-el9nc]

This is a song about the morning after Bars surfing in New Orleans with some great prodigy is in the early 1960s having nowhere to sleep and a road trip starting at about 1130 where Bob would sleep in the car. I’m very lucky that my grandfather who married into my family was one of the people that regularly spend time with Bob Dylan and a couple of other people in that seen during the 60s a lot of misinformation about the meaning of this song. It’s a feeling of a creative and tired mind at about 6 o’clock in the morning in a late spring, new Orlean Street, wondering about in the fresh cool air reminiscing about the night that now no longer exists and just waiting for the road trip to start in a limbo state of madness

[@scott3744]

At around the 8:00 mark you comment that you're surprised a song like this hit #1... but then when you restart the music a few moments later, BOTH of you are singing along like you've known this song your whole lives. Now you know why it was #1... it creeps up on you 👍😁

[@thomastimlin1724]

It was number one because the Byrds gave it a pop/rock treatment and brevity is the recipe for a hit record, only 2 choruses and a verse. But the Byrds had that new sound with the 12 string electric guitar. The radio stations never would have played Dylan's long version, that would have eaten into their precious advertising time. Nonetheless, without Dylan writing the song, the Byrds would not have had a #1 hit running right out of the gate on the musical race track for the first time. The combination of the Byrds treatment and the Dylan song together is what made it a #1 hit. And I've got news for everyone: Record producer Terry Melcher felt that the band hadn't completely gelled yet musically, so he brought in a group of L.A. session musicians, later known as the Wrecking Crew, to provide the musical backing on the single. As a result, Roger [Jim] McGuinn was the only "Byrd" to play on "Mr. Tambourine Man" on the electric Rickenbacher 12 string guitar.

[@Ingleborough111]

A friend of mine was a DJ called Andy Tambers Mr Tambourine Man. His intro record was the Byrds version of this.

[@cspaikido]

He also wrote Blowin' In the Wind.

[@skepticalobserver149]

This is literally Dylan listening to a tambourine player from his band, and the music from the tambourine taking his prodigious imagination on a journey. Wings of song and all -- not drugs.

[@RileyRampant]

To me, this song is the magic of letting go and surrendering to sleep, and dreaming, also allusions to mortality. Its not twangy. Its a song-poem.

[@mrmark5595]

Another Dylan must listen is," sweetheart like you"

[@batman_jones]

Such a gorgeous song but the verse that goes "A woman like you should be at home, that's where you belong/Taking care of somebody nice who don't know how to do you wrong" is pretty unfortunate.

[@artwerks]

beauty of a song!!!!

[@Bekka_Noyb]

You guys gotta do these Dylan songs: Tangled Up In Blue (arguably his best), Things Have Changed (won Oscar & Globe), Visions Of Johanna, & Shelter From The Storm

[@casstippit766]

Reactions like this just make me sad. Even if you don’t get it just by listening, it takes all of 30 seconds of google searching to learn that song is definitely not about drugs. To write this song off as a drug song is a disservice to a hauntingly beautiful song about the artistic process and the weariness of the artist soul.

[@meyerhave]

BARS & BARBELLS at 8min.08sec. "... I'm a little surprised that this went to # 1." Dylan's recording of this song was NOT released as a 45 single record, and therefore did NOT top the pop single charts at # 1. It was released as only an album track on his "BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME" 1965 L.P. THE BYRDS' version was what reached # 1.

[@batman_jones]

The first Dylan single to actually hit #1 was "Murder Most Foul," from his most recent album. It was released during the pandemic in 2020 when he was 80 years old.

[@brianbyczek-m6p]

.....in case you didnt know that was dylan on guitar and playing the harmonica and singing.......!

[@Zentrix-24]

"Lay Lady Lay" is a fav BD tune.

[@MrNormaltoo]

there are literally dozens of excellent songs from this master, and often the best of all genres have a dylan influence. all you have to do is listen. Mr. Tambourine Man may be his signature song but there's a long journey that follows. enjoy the process.

[@rossdownes4240]

Bob never had a number one with this song but The Byrds did.

[@jnagarya519]

A straight poet once wrote: "No poem was ever written out of a glass of ice water". Intoxication can be a state of mind without "substances". Poets know that. Don't overcomplicate it by overthinking and READINGS IN.

[@davidgehoski1306]

Robert Zimmeran is a poet that wants you to bring the meaning for yourself.

[@PeterBuwen]

Good reaction. I guess you got it.

[@lsbill27]

The Byrds had a #1 hit with a cover of this Dylan song. Dylan didn't even release this as a single.

[@fcorso1313]

Pick any song from his album "Blood on the tracks" and be amazed.

[@charliecochran3035]

A lot more oeople recognize this from the cover by The Byrds. Its nuce but this is better. He juat seems to be describing his mood... lonely and listless but also restless.

[@joshmcbee2069]

I think it's more about him looking for a muse or creative inspiration vs about drugs. Although the best thing about Dylan's lyrics are they are very open to interpretation

[@konradv7]

The Byrds’ version was released a month later and went to #1, too!

[@denismansfield8876]

You should play the studio version of DIAMONDS AND RUST by Joan Baez. It is a bit of a tell-some by Bob's girlfriend in his early days.

[@johnrobb8435]

I believe that it was the Birds version that reached number one on the charts.

[@dangabbert3944]

Eleven years between this song and Isis, which you reacted to previously. This came out in 1965 and Isis in ‘76.

[@maggiebryan2355]

❤❤❤

[@stamasd8500]

"Word salad" to Nobel Prize in literature... pretty amazing.