Bob Dylan

Yes, you were

He was so good!!

So wrong!

So very wrong, he is a brilliant writer

I must listen more carefully!

A brilliant writer of his time. He spoke for so many of us although I have to admit I didn't understand all of it.

I think his voice can be a distraction at times. If you actually read the words of his lyrics, the poetry is there.

I read many years ago that Dylan's poetry/lyrics were up there with the very best....I even bought my SIL a book of Dylan's lyrics because of it. Can't remember who wrote the review but they were quite respected.

I remember trying to like Dylan back in the 60s, 70s, and thinking his words were just pretentiously obscure. I think he was in a druggie phase, and influenced by Rimbaud.
Later, especially after watching Scorsese' documentary in 2005,(No Direction Home) I got to enjoy his music and admire his intellect.
He's still touring but really shouldn't be, his voice is worse than ever.
I think I read that Leonard Cohen had also been nominated.

I never liked Dylan, preferred Donovan. I do enjoy his lyrics performed by others!

I'm very happy to see Bob Dylan's name as a Nobel prize winner. I think Leonard Cohen would be a worthy winner, too. They'll need to get a move on if the latter is to get a Nobel prize as he's 82yo now!

I saw Dylan live at the old Wembley Stadium many moons ago what a fantastic concert

We saw him at Earls Court in the mid-80's, probably his worst ever phase. Mostly, he was offstage while a group of gospel singers warbled away. People actually booed him, it was so bad.

Leonard Cohen is a con!

As for Dylan - his writing is quite clever at times but definitely not Nobel standard. He just seems to write a list of random words that rhyme and fits the lyrics round that - definitely not a Nobel technique I think!

I have nothing against him - he was of his time and is very nostalgic now. But Sondheim or G&S more deserving I feel and they were never honoured in this way.

I do think it debases the Nobel prize - dare I say dumbing down without getting lynched?! - ducks!!

Each to their own

I agree with Luckygirl, Nobel prize dumbed down. If we are to have lyrics as poetry then there are far better examples than Dylan's; the evocative work of Eric Maschwitz, say - "the sigh of midnight trains in empty stations" - or the cleverness of Noel Coward.

I agree with you Luckygirl absolutely nothing against Dylan at all but my first reactions was where the heck did that come from
I personally wouldn't have voted for him by a huge mile

'The pump don't work
Cos the vandals took the handles...'

My favourite Dylan lyric!

I have so many favourites - here's one.

"Get sick, get well hang around an inkwell,"

Reminds me of school in the 1950s.

That's from the same song, Falconbird - Subterranean Homesick Blues!

(although it was the 60s for me)

Well deserved. I would have votes for him, been a fan for so many years ( Too many).Luckygirl they are not random words, nor do they always rhyme. he tells it like it is.
Listen to this one: Positively Fourth Street, then tell me the words are random. Brilliant lyrics in my opinion.

The wind it was howlin' and the snow was outrageous
We chopped through the night and we chopped through the dawn
When he died I was hopin' that it wasn't contagious

He gets my vote.

"Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command."

The lyrics of The Times They are a Changing" really gave me hope for the future.

I really like Positively Fourth Street - it reminds me of an ex friend of mine. I guess Bob Dylan had an ex friend too!!