Your favourite Bob Dylan Song and Why - aberdeen-music

28-09-2005, 12:12

The Sunday Herald last weekend had a load of famous people saying what their favourite Dylan song was (Worst offender: Alex McLeish. His favourite was A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, but only because of the Bryan Ferry cover version because he prefers stuff like Genesis

).

So let's hear it from you guys. A tough call certainly, but what is your fave Dylan song and why?

I'll go for Subterranean Homesick Blues, as it was the song that really got me into Dylan. I'd first heard a cover of it by Jools Holland and others on The Young Ones when I was a kid and on the strength of that got Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits and haven't looked back.

I liked it so much that we did a horrible version of it in my first band Addicted Angel. I even added a line in the last verse (which is one line shorter than the others) so that the rest of the band didn't get confused. For added emphasis I chucked packets of chewing gum into the audience on the "chew gum" line.

And I can still remember my maths teacher telling me with a straight face that we had "improved on the original" after we performed it at a school talent show aged 13.

Steve Temple · 28-09-2005, 12:16

"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" is admittedly splendid, because it's so cynical, but still honest and touching. Not all love songs should be odes. Instead, it is a parting shot

bobyn · 28-09-2005, 12:21

sad eyed lady of the lowlands.

no especial reason, it just does it for me.. though the cowboy mouth connection helps a little

28-09-2005, 12:21

Difficult, I have several, but i'll go with Ballad Of A Thin Man off Highway 61 Revisited, it has a great feel to it and the lyrics are crazy!

28-09-2005, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by popTart

"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" is admittedly splendid, because it's so cynical, but still honest and touching. Not all love songs should be odes. Instead, it is a parting shot

Yip, almost went for that one myself. Surely the perfect way to end a relationship?

Dave · 28-09-2005, 12:59

Ouch...ONE song? Not even a top five? Hmmm...

What about...no, it's not as good as...but then again...maybe...oh and how could I forget...

I'm going to say "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding", but I reserve the right to change my mind within the next two minutes.

Why? I dunno. It's a brilliant mix of poetic imagery and menacing, stark performance. But then again, you could say the same about loads of other Dylan songs.

Swingin' Ryan · 28-09-2005, 14:50

Subterranean Homesick Blues for me aswell, it's just almost effortlessly brilliant.

I'd probably go with Maggie's Farm second.

AKMartin · 28-09-2005, 15:46

Idiot Wind.

the way it crashes into action and doesn't let up. and his "singing" voice is just perfect for that chorus - "you're an iiiidiot baaabe...it's a wonder that you still know how to breathe".

marvellous.

AKM

-matthEw- · 28-09-2005, 16:09

at the moment its If You See Her, Say Hello for me.

Not sure why...I think it just has the perfect balance of longingness and bitterness.

Laura@TMB · 28-09-2005, 18:49

Positively 4th Street, and if, just if, I could have a second favourite, it'd be Love Minus Zero/ No Limit. No particular reasons, I just love both songs.