Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’: The Legacy of a Masterpiece

Far Out Magazine ^ | SAT 9TH JUL 2022 | Tom Taylor

[imabadboy99]

never cared for his stuff. Overrated in my opinion. To each their own.

[SamAdams76]

This came to the fore a matter of months later with the Freedom Summer of 1964 during which six murders, 29 shootings, 50 bombings and 60 beatings of Civil Rights workers occurred during a bloody 14-week period between mid-June and the end of September.

Sounds like a typical weekend night in Chicago.

[hardspunned]

Here’s the 60s greatest protest song. It has aged very well. Welfare Cadillac

https://youtu.be/hq-hx73or30

[PUGACHEV]

Agreed. Dylan at his best is pretentious and sophomoric.

[Inyo-Mono]

I was 13 when Peter Paul & Mary’s version of “Blowin’ in the Wind “ came out and loved it right away. I am one of those who recognize Dylan’s brilliance in song writing. I know his voice leaves many cold, but if you listen carefully to the lyrics, his vocal short comings become secondary.

[Captain Peter Blood]

If I didn’t have to hear him sing maybe i would like some of his stuff.

[BradyLS]

He never resonated with me, either. I don’t begrudge him his success. Good for him if he’s what Boomers wanted.

[BradyLS]

The reaction that Sam Cooke had was one that was mimicked by plenty of other artists. In some ways, part of its brilliance is that it was touched with obscurity. This meant that people had to ask the lowly folk artist about it, and his responses are as much a part of the legacy of the song as the track itself. As Dylan decreed: “I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many wars … You people over 21, you’re older and smarter.”

This is Dylan's generation in a nutshell, IMO. They railed against a cynical, selfish, and corrupt establishment. Only to become themselves a variant of the monsters they slew.

[ifinnegan]

“Dylan’s record had a tragic prescience to it. Lines like, “How many times must the cannonballs fly, before they’re forever band?”

Or maybe banned?

Blowing in the Wind is good because it’s not only about the U.S. Civil
Rights issues of the mid 20th Century. It’s more universal.

I heard it as a little kid as the b side of Puff the Magic Dragon.

[Robwin]

Just another Leftist mediocrity turned into a “genius” by the media because his political views were of the right kind.

[CaptainK]

His voice is an assault to the ears. His songs are ponderous.

[DoodleBob]

Dylan sounds best when Hendrix covers his tunes.

[Fiji Hill]

“Blowin’ in the Wind” was apparently inspired by Mao Tse-tung’s 1957 statement that “the east wind will prevail over the west wind”—or in other words, Communism is “the wind” in which “the answer” is blowing.

[Bob434]

i like this tune pretty well- better than blowin in the wind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INilAY6aJTc

[Bob434]

it is said it’s about his woman leaving him- not sure i get how it ties in though- but cool song nonetheless

[frank ballenger]

Blowing in the Wind is good because it’s not only about the U.S. Civil Rights issues of the mid 20th Century. It’s more universal.

Perceptive of you.

As is true of many Bob Dylan songs people project themselves onto the content and interpret them. He did not present any solution in this song. He did not mention any topic of the civil rights controversy or news in Blowin.'

When friend Phil Ochs and others wrote their songs the songs had limited lives due to saying "You guys listen and believe this...." and "this is what happened this month." Poetry and classic songs last if they do not act on topical news items. Also, Joan Baez said Bob Dylan NEVER went to a protest or demonstration. "When fans ask me do you think Bob Dylan will be there tomorrow at the demonstration?" I laugh and say "no, you moron, he won't."

[frank ballenger]

Sorry but not proven in any place in my 150 plus books on him.
He was never a Mao guy. Song had an old folk melody and he said the idea was a piece of paper blowing on the ground and someone picks it up and reads it but then sets it back blowing on the ground again.

In Paris he was angry about the anti-American talk due to the Vietnam protests so he took time to locate an enormous American flag that stretched across the stage behind him and revelled in the boos against him for doing it.

Sing Out magazine interview said “All of you against the war
......” and he abruptly said “What gives you the idea I am as you say against the war. Who told you I was against it?”

[Dr. Sivana]

As is true of many Bob Dylan songs people project themselves onto the content and interpret them.

I was under 10 when I first heard the song. I didn't have much to project. It just isn't a great tune. Even then I knew you call him a man before he even walks down ANY roads.

His "Don't Think Twice" (The "Wonder Who" version) is okay.

[Songcraft]

This is just a brief side note, which those who also like Dylan's music, might find interesting.

Brian Wilson, who co-wrote this great old song which was done a long time ago by "The Beach Boys" (as well as many other great old songs, in a completely different style of music than Dylan), turned 80 in recent weeks, and has been suffering from some serious medical issues in recent years.

Bob Dylan (who is now 81) sang this other old classic song to Brian Wilson a few weeks ago.

(I thought it was great!)