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People are going to say, ‘Well, it’s not very truthful.’ But a songwriter doesn’t care about what’s truthful. What he cares about is what should’ve happened, what could’ve happened. That’s its own kind of truth. It’s like people who read Shakespeare plays, but they never see a Shakespeare play. I think they just use his name.
Bob Dylan
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the subjective nature of truth in art, particularly in songwriting, where emotional resonance matters more than factual accuracy.

Bob Dylan highlights the distinction between factual truth and the deeper, emotional truth often conveyed through songwriting. He suggests that a songwriter prioritizes the essence of an experience over its literal accuracy, creating a form of truth that resonates more profoundly with listeners. This echoes the idea that many appreciate artistic works, such as plays by Shakespeare, without engaging with them in their intended form, relying instead on a superficial understanding.

Themes

TruthSongwritingArtEmotionSubjectivity

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about songwriting at a music seminar, this quote can be used to illustrate the artistic license taken by songwriters.

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