#Collecting #Bob #Dylan #Poetry #Perspective #WorthPoint
Bob Dylan is one of the best singer-songwriters of all time. He’s also hailed as one of America’s greatest living poets in certain literary circles. However, despite this reputation, many were shocked when he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. I, too, was amazed—and confused. At the time, I was a literature student. I remember my classmates being divided—some believed Dylan deserved it, others disagreed, and some didn’t understand his work at all.
Eight years later, whether or not Dylan deserved the Nobel remains a hot topic. Still, it was an unusual choice. When we think of Nobel laureates, we usually imagine authors with a long catalog of books ready to be showcased in bookstores as soon as the prize is announced. In 2016, bookstores were packed with Dylan books—though most weren’t written by him. Instead, they were primarily biographies and deep dives into his music. It left many wondering where Dylan’s poetry or literary genius was hiding. And perhaps most importantly for collectors—what to buy and where to find it. In this article, we’ll dive into collecting Bob Dylan’s poetry and how you can appreciate it too.
THE FREEWHEELIN’ ALBUMS
Bob Dylan’s songs are so iconic that anybody can sing along to them without thinking twice. However, as a fan, I’ve often realized I didn’t know what some songs were really about. It’s only after sitting down and reading the lyrics that the meaning shifted—what seemed like a love song could suddenly become cynical, or a catchy tune might be revealed as sharp social commentary. This tendency is one of Dylan’s greatest strengths: the music draws you in initially, but if you pay closer attention, the lyrics hide another reward.
Dylan earned the title “spokesman of a generation” thanks to two of his early albums—The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and The Times They Are a-Changin’. Even casual fans will recognize tracks from these records. At the time, Dylan was deeply interested in the civil rights and anti-war movements. However, dismissing them as just a collection of “protest songs” would be a mistake. From the beginning, Dylan’s compositions were already deeply complex. Take, for example, the song “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall.” It draws on French symbolism and vivid imagery if viewed as a poem.
By 1965, Dylan had shed his political persona and turned his songwriting to other subjects. This period also marked Dylan’s shift to electric instruments, which marked controversy in the folk circles at the time. However, it was during this period that Dylan produced what I believe are his three best albums—Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, and Blonde on Blonde. The records stand out for many reasons. Beyond just creating a new folk-rock sound, Dylan also opted for much more symbolic and surreal lyrics. If you really want to understand the buzz around Bob Dylan, I highly recommend adding these albums to your collection.
BOOKS ON THE TRACKS
You’d probably be surprised to know that Bob Dylan hasn’t written many books himself. Two are widely in circulation—his memoir Chronicles: Part One and his recent essay collection The Philosophy of Modern Song. Both are excellent books, but they’re not exactly poetry collections.
Then there’s The Lyrics, a collection of all Dylan’s songs spanning over 60 years. This book is updated every time Dylan releases something big, so there have been many issues over the years. The Lyrics is exactly that—his lyrics. But it’s probably the closest thing to a definitive collection of Dylan’s poetry and a must-have for hardcore fans. There have been many versions of The Lyrics over the years, but my favorite version is the 50th anniversary edition in hardcover. It feels premium and reminds me of some poetry collections in hardcover that I also own.
However, perhaps the most interesting Dylan book is Tarantula. It can only be described as an experimental mishmash of poetry and prose—largely panned by critics. Dylan wrote the book before his infamous motorcycle accident in 1966, but it was not officially printed until 1971. For years, many underground magazines and fanzines published bootleg versions of the book or excerpts bundled together with their hasty—yet crafty—publications. To me, the bootlegs are the most interesting. There’s something distinctly Dylanesque about nonsensical excerpts from a book Dylan reportedly didn’t even like, all thrown together on a typewriter. Tarantula is the book you definitely shouldn’t buy, but at the same time, it’s probably the one that’s worth it the most.
WHERE TO FIND BOB DYLAN’S POETRY?
If you’re looking for the music, Dylan’s vinyl records are accessible. The reissues are mainly within the $20-35 range, and they’re quality recordings. Second-hand vinyls are also abundant in record stores and online markets. For the early Dylan albums (before the mid-1970s), I personally prefer the mono versions. The sound feels more authentic to me, but if you enjoy the nuances of stereo, those versions might be more up your alley.
As for the books, as much as I find the bootleg versions of Tarantula fascinating, the original 1971 print is probably the best reading experience. I wouldn’t say Tarantula is a great book, but it’s undeniably interesting—especially for those who appreciate more avant-garde poetry. Surprisingly, first editions of Tarantula are easy to find on places like eBay, often for a reasonable price.
There’s also another Dylan book I didn’t mention before, titled Writings and Drawings. It’s essentially an early ‘70s version of The Lyrics but with Dylan’s artwork and other writings sprinkled in. Although it’s been out of print for almost fifty years, it’s easy to find online. If you’re primarily a fan of Dylan’s early stuff, I’d recommend Writings and Drawings over The Lyrics. The book has a lot of charm and is still relatively cheap. For reference, the first edition of the book sold for $50 on eBay in May 2024.
Ultimately, I believe you can find Bob Dylan’s poetry in most of his works, even among (some of) his worst albums. There’s no other artist like Dylan, and while some of his verses might be genuine head-scratchers, they’re good altogether.
David Espino-Lozada is a writer and editor with a passion for literature and poetry. He has published numerous articles and is also involved in writing sci-fi for video games. An avid collector, David has an extensive collection of books, music, and vintage male clothing. When he’s not writing, he enjoys diving into the depths of the internet and libraries, indulging his fascination with the world of collectibles and heirlooms.
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