Decades Project: 1960s Music–Bob Dylan

I had to cheat for this week. I made a rule to myself that I would not use bands that I have posted about before, but I cannot talk about music in the 60s without mentioning Bob Dylan. Like I said, I have written about him a few times…but he is just that significant to the history and trajectory of music. So instead of posting all the songs I have done before, this time I will find some obscure songs from the 60s. 

“Oxford Town” is a quick song that is based on actual events (although Dylan has said that it is about the Meredith case, but also could be about any time because the words are still true). But this song now makes me think of the Dark Tower. In the second book, Odetta keeps saying that she went down to Oxford, and Eddie keeps thinking of the song.

“North Country Blues” is one of those songs that makes you immediately think of Woody Guthrie. Dylan loves to write these songs that feel like a specific time or place, but also can be just about anywhere. This song is about the demise of a mining town, and people will try and link it to places all over, but he could be describing just about any mining town.

This song has been covered by just about everyone, including The Turtles and Johnny Cash. Hell, I swear most people think one of them wrote it.

One of my Dad’s favorites…

I love that Bob Dylan can write brilliant songs that are a minute and forty-eight seconds, or nearly eight minute epics. 

If you ever wondered where Judas Priest got their name…

In case you were wondering, I picked a song from each album released in the 1960s. It is funny, Nashville Skyline was his most country album, but “Lay Lady Lay” never felt like a country song. It actually seems like the perfect song to bridge into the 1970s Bob Dylan…