Category Archives: Freewheelin

Talking World War III Blues: the music and the meaning behind Dylan’s song

Posted on February 3, 2016 by TonyAttwood

By Tony Attwood In the spring of 1963 Bob Dylan returned to the studio to remake part of Freewheelin.  This was for two reasons.   First, there was the problem of Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues which had been rejected … Continue reading →

Posted in Freewheelin | 1 Comment

Oxford Town: Dylan’s protest song, slightly detached

Posted on September 6, 2015 by TonyAttwood

By Tony Attwood The first performance of Oxford Town came just two months after the first performance of Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall, and yet Oxford Town sounds as if Hard Rain hadn’t happened.  It is a beautiful powerful song, … Continue reading →

Posted in Freewheelin | 12 Comments

Down the highway: Dylan paying dues but not in concerts

Posted on July 20, 2015 by TonyAttwood

By Tony Attwood In 2001, the Observer, an English Sunday paper, reviewed  Down the Highway (the book not the song) and Heylin’s Bob Dylan, Behind the Shades: Take Two and memorably said, “Neither author, however, can explain just why Dylan, having … Continue reading →

Posted in Freewheelin | 3 Comments

Don’t think twice by Bob Dylan. Looking back to 1962 and a beautiful live version

Posted on December 13, 2008 by Tony Attwood

This article was updated in May 2018. This song is based on the folk song “Who’s gonna buy you ribbons” which has both music and some lyrics that closely resemble Bob’s song. This version recorded in 1960 was made by … Continue reading →

Posted in Freewheelin, No Direction Home, The Songs | 7 Comments

Blowing in the wind (1962). The meaning of the music and the lyrics.

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Tony Attwood

By Tony Attwood Coming back to Blowing in the Wind after 45 years is a strange experience. There was a time when I, and all those like me, not only listened to it every day but also played it every … Continue reading →

Posted in Freewheelin, The Songs | 4 Comments