I first heard Bob around my house, a bit here in Matts room, a bit there in mom's pottery shed. Rainy Day Women, Like a Rolling Stone etc etc. Then one day fate grabbed me in it's cruel but fair grip. At a vinnies somewhere i came across a vinyl copy of Live at Budokahn and i was hooked. The album destroyed me, the fiddle/violin solo on All Along The Watchtower is amazing (sadly the record developed a scratch right it the middle of this wonderful solo causing it to play 3 notes over and over, turning it into the longest solo ever played).
Then i heard Masters of War and it felt like the world changed around me. The song centres on the capitalistic movers of war, sitting back behind the scenes orchestrating death and destruction around them. He condemns them for sending the young to their deaths, for creating a world where he fears to rear children, while sitting on the sidelines hidden from view collecting the almighty dollar. Dylan himself has said the song is a pacifistic song against war, which moves against the heavy relationship between govt, the armed forces and the industrial complex. Towards the end of the song he questions the state of their souls and whether their money will do them any good once they leave this world.
The song contains some brilliant images and verses. These are some of my favs-
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
The song contains a couple of biblical references. This been the first, comparing them to Judas, but instead of betraying Jesus, betraying the human race as a whole. I love the the idea that their motives are as transparent as water going down a drain in a drain. Almost a double analogy, showing that their motives are clear to see and causing everything to go down the gurgler
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Growing up in a Catholic (although not been religious myself) environment i always found this line very strong. To suggest that He, forgiver of all people would not forgive what you've done as your soul is that tainted. Also liked that he says not to discount him just because he is young...something that resonated through me when i first heard this as a teenager.
Anyway I could go one all day but i won't. Long story short, song had a huge impact on my life, love it to pieces and really awoke a fire in my belly as a teenager. If you like this song check out "Working Class Hero" - John Lennon. Same shit - different smell. Musical wank ends here
