Coming to theaters later this year is a biopic about singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, now 83, called A Complete Unknown––as in, from the lyrics to his 1965 hit “Like a Rolling Stone“:
How does it feel, how does it feel?To be on your own, with no direction homeA complete unknown, like a rolling stone
Timothée Chalamet was tapped to play Bob Dylan.
Dylan’s earliest songs debuted in the 1960’s, a period in our nation fraught with conflict over civil rights and other political issues. Much of his output reflected the times.
There was “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1962) for instance. In its simple musical format we heard there might actually be no discernible answers to some important, deep questions.
At the live 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1992) of Dylan’s recording career, Stevie Wonder‘s introduction of his own performance of “Blowin'” included, “…and as you think about who you should vote for, I want you to vote for that person who is going to commit to bringing unity to all people not only throughout the world but in this country.” Democrat Bill Clinton won the presidency later that year.
Watch Wonder below:
Tracy Chapman gave, at the same tribute concert, a rousing rendition of 1964’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’“. (Click on the link to hear it.) Lyrics include this middle section:
Come senators, congressmenPlease heed the callDon’t stand in the doorwayDon’t block up the hallFor he that gets hurtWill be he who has stalledThe battle outside ragin’Will soon shake your windowsAnd rattle your wallsFor the times they are a-changin’
A highlight toward the closing of the 1992 concert was “My Back Pages” (1964), performed by not only Bob Dylan himself but also Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison.
The repeated chorus of “Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now” resonates today with those like me who were in fact so young when we first heard it and perhaps didn’t quite get its full meaning.
“I Shall Be Released” (1967) is another among Dylan’s prolific catalogue, and like many of his songs, it has been covered by a lot of different artists. I love the idea of these three particular women joining together back in the day to offer their version: Mama Cass Elliot (1941-1974), Mary Travers (1936-2009), and Joni Mitchell.
