Watch the video below Mr Tambourine Man when you consider Allen Ginsberg’s comments:
Dylan had become a column of air, so to speak, at certain moments, where his total physical and mental focus was this single breath coming out of his body. He had found a way in public to be almost like a shaman, with all of his intelligence and consciousness focused on his breath.
Mr Tambourine Man would be my first song selection to introduce someone unfamiliar with the music of Bob Dylan. What would yours be? I was daunted to write this article since Mr Tambourine Man is renowned as one of the greatest songs in contemporary music and arguably the greatest ever folk song. You only have to see Pete Seeger sitting there after having introduced Bob that he knew he was witnessing something transformational occurring in music. The song’s popularity led to Dylan recording it live many times, and it has been included in multiple compilation albums. It has been translated into other languages and has been used or referenced in television shows, films, and books.
[Verse 4]
And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind
Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves
The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow
[Chorus]
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy, and there is no place I’m going to
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle mornin’ I’ll come followin’ you
The song has been performed and recorded by many artists, including the Byrds, Judy Collins, Melanie, Odetta, and Stevie Wonder among others. My favourite cover is by the Byrds who popularised the song – comparable to what Peter, Paul and Mary did with Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind. The single by the Byrds was the “first folk-rock smash hit“. The single reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the first recording of a Dylan song to reach number 1 on any pop music chart.
Sophie Loves Sunsets wrote in the YT comments section of The Byrds cover:
The Byrds covering Mr Tambourine Man not only firmly put Dylan on the map as one the most prolific songwriters of the 20th century, but it also signified the birth of folk rock.
A lot of the following information is sourced from the Wikipedia reference below:
Dylan’s and the Byrds’ versions have appeared on various lists ranking the greatest songs of all time. Mr Tambourine Man was released as the first track of the acoustic side of his March 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. It became famous for its surrealistic imagery, influenced by artists as diverse as French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. Mr. Tambourine Man was written and composed in early 1964, at the same approximate time as Chimes of Freedom, which Dylan recorded later that spring for his album Another Side of Bob Dylan.
Dylan began writing and composing Mr. Tambourine Man in February 1964, after attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans during a cross-country road trip with several friends, and completed it sometime between the middle of March and late April of that year after he had returned to New York. Nigel Williamson has suggested in The Rough Guide to Bob Dylan that the influence of Mardi Gras can be heard in the swirling and fanciful imagery of the song’s lyrics. Unusually, rather than beginning with the first verse, the song begins with an iteration of the chorus.
References:
1. Mr. Tambourine Man – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Such a pretty sight!!! Seeing one of your posts, again!! It’s beginning to feel like old times! Nice!
It’s a breath of fresh to be back from my fleeting absence and to read lovely messages from the likes of yourself. Thanks Sharon.
‘Fleeting absence’, keep it that way Matt. Thrilled that you’re back. Mr Tambourine Man, the lyrics are amazing!! To think it was written decades ago, it still sounds fresh!! S
Dylan just like Cohen is a modern prophet of sorts. The representation of what is ‘Tambourine Man’ keeps pulling me back to it. It’s like a tractor beam. It doesn’t matter what else I try to do. Plus, I just missed communicating, even if it was with myself. Having you, Max and Bruce in my corner makes it all the more worthwhile.
And it’s very important for your well-being Matt to have someone in your corner. Happy that I am in that line-up! Yes, Dylan and Cohen, their lyrics are outstanding, they do seem like modern day ‘prophets’. That’s the power of good writing for you. Good morning!
Good afternoon (your time). It’s 8.43am here. How are you today, Sharon? Yeh, I’m fortunate to have you guys to discuss opinions about music amongst other things.
Hi Matt, I’m OK, thank you for asking. Hope you are well. Yes, that’s the beauty of WordPress, meeting like-minded people to discuss ideas with. It makes all the difference. Have a great afternoon. Sharon
Glad to read you are well Sharon. On the physical health front I’m not too bad, but on other fronts not so good. But as they say in Spanish here ‘Sigo en la lucha’ (I continue in the ‘struggle’) hehe.
I couldn’t have said it any better myself regarding your thoughts about WP. It does indeed make all the difference having those connections. You’re an inspiration Sharon. Matt K
An inspiration? Me?!! That’s something!! And I thank you. Matt, your physical health is good, so maybe other things will follow, I really hope that it does – and soon. In the meantime you’re making good use of your time by posting and keeping everyone informed about a wide range of subjects! Catch you again!
You are an inspiration! And that’s putting it mildly.
My site gets around 100 views per day around the world of a vast array of my posts. Some posts are more viewed than others of course. So, my world view and opinion (mostly about music and your comments there-in) reaches that number of people which would have been unassailable if I did anything else to the exclusion of this pursuit.
You have to go with with where your passion lies (even if you don’t make money or a living from it), and I think I can be more of an influence (indirectly, probably more so) in this sphere than doing anything else. At least that’s what the numbers tell me.
So, getting a message from Dr. Brian Keating yesterday (about Oppenheimer) who narrowly missed-out on a Nobel in Physics, for example makes it all the more worthwhile.
Excuse me Matthew!! Did you say you got a message from Dr Brian Keating, the guy who presented the video (your previous post, interesting by the way). What happened?!! If you ever thought your posts were sinking without a trace, then this proves the opposite! Nice one. Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m eternally grateful to the wonders of modern technology, as without it Observation Blogger would mean nothing to me. Picture that!!!
And I have a theory – do something you love and the money will follow!!! Now then, I’m not exactly rich, but I’m standing by my theory! Care to join me?!! Ha! Ha!
That’s been my philosophy as I get older although I’m probably more pessimistic about the whole idea – ‘money will follow’. I think realistically that happens in very few cases especially in the art realm. You only have to acknowledge Vincent van Gogh’s fate despite all he produced. But what the heck Sharon, I’ll join you on the venture. Haha
Matt, I know what you mean about money and the arts etc. Most of us artistic types won’t see mega bucks fair to say, but does that mean we are less talented than those who have been made rich through the arts?! The trick is to just enjoy what you do!
I think we are less talented. Apart from the very few, enormously talented artists in history remembered penniless and having a few screws loose; those otherwise who became successful were able to hone into something desired by the marketplace ala neoliberalism economics.
They might not have individually been so passionate about it (see Nathy Peluso and ‘Nasty Girl’). Even still great artists can mould art to be beneficial to wedging the hole in the market and at the same time produce sublime art:
I’ve seen Nathy Peluso interviewed, and she is not that girl in the enormously successful video above, ‘Nasty Girl’. She’s almost the counter opposite of that girl.
I argue Bob Dylan did something akin to this back in 65. His ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ was tapping into a world – view that ordinarily people didn’t want to hear or know about, but they came along for the ride just because of his audacity and lyrical surrealism, which opened up how ‘we’ could view the world from another sphere.
Do you honestly think Dylan was so enamoured (or in love) with the folk movement after clearly rejecting them when he saw the society and marketplace (according to his vision) turn a corner towards folk – rock? He had a vision like a clairvoyant in music in realigning the music agenda.
We meagre beings are just along for the ride. Like Salieri said at the end of ‘Amadeus’..’Mediocrities everywhere. I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you all’.
Hi Matt, I don’t agree! I think we all more talented to we give ourselves credit for. You only need to read some of the posts here on WordPress to support that! I think that successful artists of today (can’t speak for the Van Goghs of yesterday) are simply marketed well, so well, everyone believes everything about that artist. Done deal, hello mega bucks! I’m not saying they are not talented, but when you weigh it up, is their talent so exceptional? Who knows!!! Amadeus was a great movie by the way. And the lead actor Tom Hulce retired from acting some years ago, which I always felt was pity as he played the role of Amadeus perfectly!!
Tom Hulce was fantastic but F. Murray Abraham who won Oscar for best actor in his portrayal as Salieri was on another level. I liked Hulce in Ron Howard’s ‘Parenthood’ as well. I always wondered why he no longer appeared in movies.
Sharon, so much of this topic about talent in the realm of art is mostly subjective anyhow – ‘In the eyes of the beholder’, let’s say. What posts you and I like are drawn to in WP don’t align with the mainstream. If they did then Theodora Goss’ posts would have tens, if not hundreds of likes.
When it comes to most big blockbuster movies and massive music releases, I would agree with you. You are right in asking- Is their talent so exceptional? Then sometimes you get the Mission Impossible and Oppenheimer releases which can make it seem worthwhile.
Good morning Matt, I totally agree with you. When we speak about talent it is largely subjective! And I wondered why Theodora Goss’ poems got so little likes!!! The question of ‘taste’ is personal to the individual. That’s right, F Murray Abraham his portrayal of Salieri was out of this world! Sadly, Tom Hulce is retired, but I’ll look for ‘Parenthood’ never heard of it although Ron Howard is a fantastic director! Actually Matt, I’ve got Remains of the Day to find also. Still no luck there. The funny thing is the more trouble I’m having finding it, is the more I want to see it!!! Go figure!! Have a great day.
Yes Brian Keating, the man himself who got so close to winning the Nobel Prize in Physics. Well, he responded directly to me via a comment I made on his video. He didn’t respond to my post here, but it was the next best thing.
I’ll never forget Daniel Schmachtenber comments on the Brett Weinstein program: ‘Porn and online dating is to intimate relationships what Facebook and Twitter is to tribal bonding’.
I’m not subscribed to any major social media entity apart from WP. What I like about WP is that it seems to (whether intentionally or not) promote small teams of niche interests usually discussing topics removed from the shenanigans of our own lives ala FB. I never felt the workings of WP encroached on me personally. It’s all honed on the article. Well, that’s what you hope for.
The words ‘integrity’ and ‘freedom of expression’ come to mind when I think about WordPress over other social media platforms. Ha! Ha! Porn and online dating…very good analogy. I used to be on Twitter but came off it some years ago because it simply wasn’t meeting my needs as an individual.
Sorry Matt, I forgot to add, well done you! Dr Brian Keating responded to a message you had sent. Isn’t that something!
Yeh, that was pretty cool receiving that. You can’t go wrong if he writes to you. lol
The kettle hadn’t even boiled Matt and you’re back!
‘The kettle hadn’t even boiled’ – stop making me laugh Bruce.
As I was saying to Sharon in my previous post. It was between having to write about this song and finding casual work for mulla. Don’t you find music is so much more interesting? lol
This is one of his greatest songs…I like his version just as much as the Byrds version…depends on the mood I’m in.
Hi Max, it’s been a while. I like his introspective live version here the best of all. But there are times I’d prefer to hear the Byrds version. That’s right it depends on my mood as well.
I was in Atlanta last week on business…so I was random on the blog…I did go see a Braves game last Wednesday…
This song is timeless… The Byrds made is accessible to the masses.
I’m watching your video on Oppenheimer
Nice. How was the Braves game?
Yeh thank golly for other great artists like the Byrds, Peter, Paul & Mary and Jimi Hendrix who popularised Dylan’s material.
Great video by Dr Brian Keating. I hope you enjoy the video.
The Braves lost…that made me happy! I don’t like them but they do have a nice new stadium.
They did help to spread the word…plus the British bands started to write more sophisticated lyrics after hearing Dylan…and Dylan listened to them when adding electric…it was a cool mix.
Not a fan of the Braves huh? Who were they playing?
Yeh, Dylan turned the music world upside down in that era.
The Diamondbacks and they are in the Dodgers division. No I don’t like the Braves. In the late 80s no one liked them and then all of a sudden the entire south became a fan…I know Reds fans that switched…I don’t switch ever. I rooted for the Yankees against them in the World Series in the 90s…thats how much I don’t like them lol.
But what didn’t you like about them? US vs Netherlands tonight 9pm – my time zone (Women’s World Cup in Australia and NZ) yay.
When they had Maddux and Glavine pitching…the umps…would give them…and I’m not exagerating….strikes 6 inches off the plate.
An example…and it wasn’t just this umpire.
I have always had a problem with the Ump’s arbitrary decision on the zone. I wrote an article on it. I know traditionalists would hate my opinion on it. Yeh that video is crazy, but it happens all the time. I wrote in my article:
‘Baseball Romanticism and Perfecting the Strike Zone’:
Yahoo sports reported the following alarming statistics about the regular season and umpires for the 2014 post season:
The median score in 2014 was 86.38 percent correct, so the typical umpire calling balls and strikes was wrong 13.62 percent of the time. Let’s say there are 300 total pitches thrown in a game (which can be light at times). That means there’s roughly 42 pitches that are called incorrectly. A lot can happen in 42 pitches. That’s two or three half-innings of inaccuracies. So that’s a bit alarming.
Yea…if they could just agree what the strike zone is…when I was a kid it was from your knees to your belt… but some don’t like calling it that way. Glavine and Maddux got so many close calls.
Okies. I’d prefer a digital video judgment than an old timer ump determining whether a 97 fast ball hit the strike zone or not. But the next best thing would be to allow the opposing team of a ‘suspect’ umpire call (like they do in Tennis), perhaps up to 3 opportunities in critical plays to protest the Ump’s decision on the given call and leave it to the AI digital assessment according to the official rule on what is ‘the strike zone’. That seems more reasonable to me.
I see it coming…one day.
To me it’s a more ‘just’ than for a team to just have to leave the field because of a crappy umpire decision which could cost them the game.
There are rules that Manfred made that I hate though. Ghost Runners, pitching time clock, and the DH in the National League.
You don’t like the game length being shortened? I must admit I don’t know what Ghost Runners and DH is.
No…We went to the game and it was over in 2 hours and 20 minutes. I liked the 3 hour games especially if you are there.
When the game is tied and goes into extra innings…now both teams just get a runner at second automatically…I dont’ get that…just play the game.
We didn’t even do ghost runners in little league.
A DH…is a designated hitter. The American League has had it since the 70s… he doesn’t play on the field at all..he just hits…that is it.
The National League didn’t have one until this year. I liked the leagues being a little different.
Ha yeh, I know about the runner at second base in extra innings. I don’t like that as well. I can see why you have those remonstrations. It’s a bit like me with ‘World Football’ (Soccer) regarding penalties to decide a game. Any hows it is what it is. I’d rather see 6 on 6 at the end of the game to decide a soccer match or something like that in keeping with the game itself.