Using and abusing Bob Dylan

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Monday, April 11. 2011

Using and abusing Bob Dylan

From Radosh's Dylan in China: Maureen Dowd and Others are the Real Idiots, not Dylan

In his famous 1968 interview (the very year of protest) conducted for Sing Out! by his friends John Cohen and Happy Traum, Dylan was asked by Traum: “Do you foresee a time when you’re going to have to take some kind of a position?” Dylan answered in one word: “No.” Traum, obviously upset, argued that “every day we get closer to having to make a choice,” because, he explained, “events of the world are getting closer to us … as close as the nearest ghetto.” Dylan’s answer: “Where’s the nearest ghetto?"

When he got to the issue of the Vietnam War, Traum told Dylan: “Probably the most pressing thing going on in a political sense is the war,” and that artists like him “feel it is their responsibility to say something.” Dylan responded by telling Traum: “I know some very good artists who are for the war.” He then added that this painter he knows is “all for the war. He’s just about ready to go over there himself. And I can comprehend him.” Moreover, when Traum suggested he argue with the painter, Dylan asked, “Why should I?”

This is a man who will not be pwned, and he has never needed to be told to "Shut up and sing."

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays, The Song and Dance Man at 10:53 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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Meself never argued with fools droolin' to go to Vietnam.

Most droolers i ran across were full of wind and never did.

#1 Leag on 2011-04-11 13:19 (Reply)

First, I read the article critical of his performance.

Then I read the article critical of the article critical of his performance.

Then I read the article critical of the article critical of the article critical of his performance.

I had to laugh.

As I'm sure BD will agree, the first sign of someone who doesn't understand Dylan is when they label one of his songs being "about something", i.e., "Desolation Row" is about the Apocalypse, "Just Like A Woman" is about heroin, etc, etc.

FAIL.

Second, anyone who indicates Dylan was part of the anti-war movement back in the 'Nam days is nothing more than a mouthpiece for the Right-Wing Propaganda Machine.

By the same token, anyone who indicates Dylan wasn't part of the movement is also baring to the world that they're clueless as to what really happened back then.

In brief, while songs like "Chimes of Freedom" and "The Times They Are A'Changin'" were used as inspiration, they weren't anti-war songs per se, as referred to actual anti-war bands such as Country Joe and the Fish and their "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag".

QUOTE:

Well, come on, all of you big strong men
Uncle Sam needs your help again
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun!

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn
Next stop is Vietnam!
And it's five, six, seven
Open up the pearly gates!
Well, there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! We're all gonna die!

You know, real anti-war songs. While Dylan's "Masters of War" was pretty cold, it could just as easily have been sung about the Roman generals as the generals overseeing the Vietnam War.

If Dylan was anti-war, he was singing in geologic time.

#2 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-04-11 14:20 (Reply)

Certainly, Mr Dylan didn't lace up any combat boots nor shoulder a weapon nor swear allegiance to US Constitution as did not many anti-war fellas like him of the time who practiced anti-war that away.

Certainly, he wasn't havin' any part of that kinda whole lotta fun! Country Joe sang about.

#2.1 Leag on 2011-04-11 15:01 (Reply)

I find all this highly amusing. Dylan was a smart guy - being carefully neutral allowed anybody to parse his music anyway they wished - it is a brilliant strategy and made him rich man.

And y'all are missing the greatest anti-Vietnam War song EVAH!!

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DtpdXZi0M[/i]

#2.2 Tom Francis on 2011-04-12 07:55 (Reply)

Thanks Captain.

I didn't miss but hadn't listened to it in years and brings the memories rushin' in.

#2.2.1 Leag on 2011-04-14 13:18 (Reply)

After reading his biography, I came to understand Dylan's adept abilities of self promotion. For him to come out and take a specific stand on anything is likely not in his long term interest as an artist. Taking sides means someone will likely be offended.

The lyrics of his songs speak for themselves, leaving it up to the listener to interpret as he/she may understand them. When a joke must be explained the punch-line loses its humor. Same with poetry and Dylan lyrics.

#3 Kevin on 2011-04-11 16:58 (Reply)

Bob proved his intelligence when he dumped Joan Baez and all those pretentious, self righteous folk/protest bores. He was way bigger than that smelly little niche.

#4 phil g on 2011-04-11 17:20 (Reply)

I used to buy into the standard assessment of Dylan as a prickly interview subject, until I read the collection of interviews with him published a few years ago (Bob Dylan: The Essential Interviews, Jonathan Cott, ed., 2006). If I'd been asked some of the moronic questions that have been asked of him over the decades, or been subjected to the same ridiculous assumptions, "prickly" wouldn't begin to cover how I'd feel.

#5 beenel on 2011-04-11 22:08 (Reply)

Dylan was just a Jewish kid from Minnesota who found a way to make a living from doing what he liked and was very good at. Proof of his mid-western good sense is that he refused to be Used by the obviously Self-Righteous and Self-Important as a Political/Cultural Tool. His choice allowed him to be his own man and survive in a business known for psychological & physical burn-out and self-destruction. Good for him and God bless him for sharing his talent and being a decent man.

#6 michael on 2012-06-19 09:55 (Reply)

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Monday, April 11. 2011

Using and abusing Bob Dylan