Aretha with no goals, eternally single & one step soft of heaven/ let it be understood that she owns this melody along with her emotional diplomats & her earth & her musical secrets
Bob DylanRead
That's another way of writing a song, of course. Just talking to somebody that ain't there. That's the best way. That's the truest way. Then it just becomes a question of how heroic your speech is. To me, it's something to strive after.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the process of songwriting as an intimate conversation with an invisible listener, emphasizing creativity and personal expression.
In this quote, Bob Dylan suggests that songwriting can be akin to having a heartfelt dialogue with someone who isn't physically present, highlighting the artistry involved in crafting lyrics. He considers this method of songwriting to be the purest form, as it allows for genuine expression and connection through the heroism of language, ultimately striving for authenticity and emotional resonance in his art.
Themes
SongwritingCreativityExpressionArtistryAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a songwriting workshop to inspire participants to connect emotionally with their work.
More from Bob Dylan
All quotes →If I wasn't Bob Dylan, I'd probably think that Bob Dylan has a lot of answers myself.
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Some formulas are too complex and I don't want anything to do with them.
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I'm the oldest son of a crazy man, I'm in a cowboy band.
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My songs are personal music, they're not communal. I wouldn't want people singing along with me. It would sound funny. I'm not playing campfire meetings. I don't remember anyone singing along with Elvis, Carl Perkins or Little Richard.
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I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes. You'd know what a drag it is to see you.
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