I have said before, and I will say it again, I have avoided writing an overt analysis of any of Dylan's songs in previous posts simply because I believe it is unnecessary. My 'take' on a song is not what your reaction is - and maybe (almost certainly) not what Bob Dylan meant when he wrote it. There is a point where the subjective truth of a song - the way it relates specifically to the individual - merges with the objective message that is 'understood' by the general listeners. If a song is too subjective, it cannot be fully accessed by anyone other than the writer. Make it too broad a statement and the personal quality is lost - the feeling that the singer is speaking just to you in some way.
I feel that analysis - although interesting - is only useful to a point. Sometimes it might be fun to hear someone else's opinion about a song as it could open up a meaning to you that you never thought of and enriches your understanding.
However, sometimes I listen to a song and depending on my mood it can take on a different perspective. Ultimately, the best thing to do is just listen and react on your own terms. Take it or leave it alone. A song says something to you or it doesn't. Simple.
What I am trying to say, in a very circuitous manner (!), is that I am not a Dylanologist. I know that many fans of Dylan memorize dates, recordings, concert play listings, clothing styles and analyse lyrics into oblivion. I dislike this intensely. It is the A.J. Weberman approach that has no sympathy with me. It is the lowest of the low. Garbage-picking insanity.
Instead I call myself a Bobcat... a hard-core fan, enjoying the music, interested in the history and background, intrigued by the man behind the music and my personal reactions, but seeking nothing more than that which is given willingly.
I am not asking for anything beyond the music. If I ever met Bob Dylan I would not even ask for an autograph (pointless things, autographs!). Bob Dylan has given my life more enrichment than I could ever wish. That is enough.
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'I'm not sure I would say analysing lyrics is exactly a 'A.J. Weberman approach'...'
[wlzuk]
Not the lyrics... the way he looks through garbage and stuff to find out about the life of people in the media (he has targeted others, not just Dylan). It is just the obssessional level of it, reflected in the scrutiny of lyrics (and actually Weberman wrote the Dylan to English Dictionary that did just that) I can't abide by.
Dylan himself once laughed (back in about '65 or '66) that people would be pulling his stuff apart in the future when really it means very little for the most part (well, he threw in a few 'f' words when he said it!). What I was trying to say (although I was distracted every 2 minutes by the bathroom fitters so probably didn't express myself too clearly) is there is an element of analysis and understanding, but that should be such a tiny part of listening to Dylan. Foremost should be personal reaction. I was also upset after reading some stuff on the internet about the people who hounded Dylan (and other stars) about their personal lives. Those taped phone calls... It was all creepy and freaked me out. Hence the reference to Weberman.
PS - I was pretty impressed when I found out that Dylan had actually 'jumped' Weberman on Elizabeth Street! WTG! LOL!
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