Obiter Dicta Issue 8 - January 6, 2016 | Page 11

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.