Bob Dylan wins the Nobel Prize for Literature

[Microcosmia]

So Bob Dylan has been announced as the winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature. I believe it is richly deserved. He put his lyrics at the centre of his music and arguably used language in a more profound way than many of his contemporaries, with the possible exception of Cohen, whom he influenced to become a songwriter. But does everyone agree he is a worthy winner? Interested to hear people's views.....

[abridged]

Dylan? Meh. Half Man Half Biscuit deserved it more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAuiWmVHd8M

[Microcosmia]

Dylan? Meh. Half Man Half Biscuit deserved it more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAuiWmVHd8M

I do like HMHB too. Not quite Kavanagh, in fairness, but a lot funnier.

[Silver_Owl]

Dylan? Meh. Half Man Half Biscuit deserved it more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAuiWmVHd8M

I do like HMHB too. Not quite Kavanagh, in fairness, but a lot funnier.

I met Nigel when me and the kids were out walking in The Wirrall a few months back. Top bloke. He deserves a prize for his directions alone.

[paint it black]

Dumbing down of dumbing down.

[SmileySister]

I was brought up on Bob Dylan. My Dad was a massive fan so I was happy when I saw the news

[Silver_Owl]

I was brought up on Bob Dylan. My Dad was a massive fan so I was happy when I saw the news

I misread that as I was bought up by Bob Dylan then.


Was just thinking that would have been pretty cool!

[SmileySister]

I was brought up on Bob Dylan. My Dad was a massive fan so I was happy when I saw the news

I misread that as I was bought up by Bob Dylan then.


Was just thinking that would have been pretty cool!

Not quite but I had the very best parents, just not for long enough

My Mum took me to see The Clash when I was 13 so that was cool

[Bartek]

Good for him.

Cohen deserves Nobel Prize even more. But sadly he won't get it.

[Microcosmia]

Cohen deserves Nobel Prize even more. But sadly he won't get it.[/quote]


I definitely agree Cohen would be deserving. It's a pity they weren't awarded it jointly. There were some upset Cohen fans online last night.

But if it can only go to one person I guess it is true that Dylan paved the way for Cohen, who might never have written a song but for Dylan's influence.

[abridged]

I suppose the question is should Dylan win a literature prize? If there was a Nobel prize for music or even for cultural influence absolutely but "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition". Really? I would have thought he was majorly influenced by Woody Guthrie? Though to be fair I could be wrong about that. I think it sets a precedent. Theoretically Joss Whedon should get a Nobel Literature for changing teen television, if change is enough. Or (if only) Charles Schulz should get a posthumous one for changing how cartoons are viewed. Lyrics can be poetry of course but not all. Written down is Like a Rolling Stone good poetry? It's a valuable debate at least I suppose.

[Bartek]

But if it can only go to one person I guess it is true that Dylan paved the way for Cohen, who might never have written a song but for Dylan's influence.

I doubt that Cohen will get Nobel. I assume that Nobel for one musician, that also wrote poetry and novels, in 115 years is enough. Although I'd like to see that day. But Cohen is 82, so there's limited time for him.

[markfiend]

Plenty of other poets have won it before him. Clicky

[iesus]

Both Greeks in the list were mainly Poets. And if you take a look at the list, poets have better chances than novelists or theatrical writers to win that prize

[Bartek]

Plenty of other poets have won it before him. Clicky

It's hard to deny this.

[abridged]

Is Dylan a poet though, or a good lyricist?

[markfiend]

Is Dylan a poet though, or a good lyricist?

He can't be both?

[abridged]

Is Dylan a poet though, or a good lyricist?

He can't be both?

Yep. But not sure he is. Similarly though Cohen's lyrics are great, never liked his poetry at all. They are different mediums. I may be a bit biased as I've never really been a Dylan fan. has great lyrics but are they good poetry? Honestly it's hard to say. Subjective i suppose so just my opinion. Posssibly I should apologise for starting that Sisters without Eldritch thread!

[abridged]

It's strange, I am a bit uncomfortable with my own opinion on this. Normally I want barriers between the arts to fall and the stuff I do has been heavily influenced by musicians but for some reason Dylan winning annoys me. Maybe I just find myself as some of the dodgier politicians around our way might say on the wrong side of history!

[Silver_Owl]

Looks like pretty damn good poetry to me.

Oh, God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man you must be puttin' me on"
God says, "No", Abe say "What?"
God say "You can do what you want Abe but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"

Well Abe said, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God say, "Out on Highway 61"

Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard, "Where can I go?"
Howard said, "There's only one place I know"
Sam said, "Tell me quick man and I got to run"

0ld howard just pointed with his gun
And said, "That way down Highway 61"

Well Mack the finger said to Louie the King
"I got forty red white and blue shoe strings
And a thousand telephones that don't ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things?"
And Louie the King said, "Let me think for a minute son"

And he said, "Yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61"

Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she says is much too white
He said, "Come here and step into the light"
He says, "Hmm you're right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done"

But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61

Now the Rovin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said, "I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done"

We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61

I'd say he deserves it.

[abridged]

Looks like pretty damn good poetry to me.

Oh, God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man you must be puttin' me on"
God says, "No", Abe say "What?"
God say "You can do what you want Abe but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"

Well Abe said, "Where do you want this killin' done?"
God say, "Out on Highway 61"

Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard, "Where can I go?"
Howard said, "There's only one place I know"
Sam said, "Tell me quick man and I got to run"

0ld howard just pointed with his gun
And said, "That way down Highway 61"

Well Mack the finger said to Louie the King
"I got forty red white and blue shoe strings
And a thousand telephones that don't ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things?"
And Louie the King said, "Let me think for a minute son"

And he said, "Yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61"

Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she says is much too white
He said, "Come here and step into the light"
He says, "Hmm you're right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done"

But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61

Now the Rovin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said, "I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done"

We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61

I'd say he deserves it.

Fair point. Actually I like other people singing Dylan songs. Same with Neil Young. Maybe it's just the voice that puts me off.

[Microcosmia]

Is Dylan a poet though, or a good lyricist?

He can't be both?

Yep. But not sure he is. Similarly though Cohen's lyrics are great, never liked his poetry at all. They are different mediums. I may be a bit biased as I've never really been a Dylan fan. has great lyrics but are they good poetry? Honestly it's hard to say. Subjective i suppose so just my opinion. Posssibly I should apologise for starting that Sisters without Eldritch thread!

As for the "lyrics as poetry" debate, well there's one that could run and run. And how "poetic" does it have to be to be considered poetry? Here is an example from the current school syllabus in these parts. How does it compare with Dylan? I'll let you decide :-

https://ajd8.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/w ... ul-durcan/