I have to admit, as embarrassing as it is, I have not read or even listened to much of his work, (I know a few popular songs) but I've heard a lot about him from teachers and professors. So what is great about this guy? I've heard him sing, and I'm not going to make any comments. Apparently he's more known for his lyrics and writing which is why I'm asking here. Is his writing any good? Can someone maybe post a sample poem of his? Thanks?
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I crave cocoa when the wind hits my door; classic conditioning.
You should try not to live too much, you could end up dying.
Apparently, his official website has all his lyrics: [link]
Not all of his lyrics work well as poetry on the page. Most of his lyrics use concrete imagery, and many are narrative in nature. The lyrics that work more as poetry tend to have less of the end rhyme, fewer choruses and refrains. I'm not sure he has any published poetry, but I have seen some of his lyrics featured in textbooks and anthologies. He's always been influenced by literature, though. "Dylan" is drawn from Dylan Thomas, and he definitely read the Beats. An article about the whole poetry issue: [link]
I think the best way of getting to know his writing is through his music. The lyrics are written to be sung, after all, not to be printed. "My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, / should I leave them by your gate, / or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?" doesn't look half as good on page as it sounds when Dylan's singing it.
The only books he's published, as far as I know, are Tarantula (a dreadful stream-of-consciousness thing) and Chronicles, vol. 1 (the first part of his memoirs; highly recommended, at least for Dylan fans).
-- I would love to see this town in the autumn. I think Crabbeville in autumn would look quite magnificent. I would have made tiny little leaves oak, poplar, maple, chestnut and spread them across the town of Crabbeville. Magnificent.
Apparently he was great at metaphorical/symoblic writing, where his lyrics were more complex than they seemed. Reading them might make you think they were simple, but if you put them into context with his life at the time etc etc many have these apparently amazing meanings.
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I crave cocoa when the wind hits my door; classic conditioning.
You should try not to live too much, you could end up dying.