ARTS & CULTURE
Tuesday, January 5, 2016 11
Bob Dylan’s Ten Best Songs
In the opinion of one ‘self-proclaimed’ Bob Dylan expert
» continued from page 6
6. A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (The Freewheelin’
Bob Dylan, 1963)
Heralded as the greatest protest song ever, “A
Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” is an epic that warns of a
coming apocalypse. It is filled with horrific visions of
the future (“I met a young child beside a dead pony”;
“I met a young woman whose body was burning”).
Dylan, who wrote the song at age twenty-one, said
it is a collection of opening lines. He didn’t think he
would have enough time alive to write all the songs
so he put them into one song. The prospects of a
nuclear war were on everyone’s mind at the writing of this song. However, Dylan is not singing about
nuclear fallout; it a more abstract rain. It is a lyrical
masterwork.
7. Isis (Desire, 1976)
The art of storytelling through song seems to be
lost nowadays. “Isis” represents Dylan at his storytelling best. The narrator in this tale must ride
through an icy dessert and rob a grave before he can
be reunited with his runaway bride, the “mystical child” named Isis. My favourite part of the song
is at the end where Dylan includes a back and forth
communication between Isis and the narrator about
whether or not they should get back together. It is one
of Dylan’s best and most unique songs.
8. Mississippi (Love and Theft, 2001)
“Mississippi” is Dylan dealing with aging and
regret but in a positive, playful manner. I view it as
one of Dylan’s happiest songs. He just seems so content with it all. In the chorus he sings, “Only one
thing I did wrong / stayed in Mississippi a day too
long.” But you get the impression that this is not
really a big deal. His ragged voice gives what he is
singing credibility. It’s the voice of someone who has
been through it all and has come out on the other side.
It’s such a great, uplifting, easy-listening tune.
ê Bob Dylan: the wise, the weary, the outlaw (Photo credit: www.art-sheep.com)
9. Every Grain of Sand (Shot of Love, 1981)
Bono sums up “Every Grain of Sand” perfectly:
“Dylan stops wailing against the world, turns on
himself and is brought to his knees.” This is a serious
song part of his religious period; Dylan is singing for
his salvation. Dylan’s songs, especially in his earlier
work, heavily feature the harmonica. With an abundance of great harmonica melodies to choose from, I
believe Dylan’s harmonica work on “Every Grain of
Sand” is his absolute finest. It is spine-tingling.
10. I Shall Be Released (Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits,
Vol. 2, 1971)
I would describe the chorus of “I Shall Be Released”
like warm sunshine hitting your face in bed on a cold
Monday morning. At the time, the song was a big
lyrical shift for Dylan. It was a move towards simple
song writing. The Band’s Richard Manual provides a
spot-on harmony over the song’s chorus. “I Shall Be
Released” tells the story of prisoner longing for his
freedom from prison. It is a staple of my iTunes playlist during exam time.