I am now fully convinced that Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter in history.

[NAD]

Didn't like him much while growing up (a bit too hippy even for me), but after becoming a casual fan over the last few years I am now completely in love with the man. This is the song that did it, and I have yet to hear the original:

Masters of War

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

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

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

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

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

 

[Krilons Resa]

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

That is a great song. I also fucking love Hurricane.

 

[lizard]

I totally worship Positively 4th Street:

You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend
When I was down
You just stood there grinning

You got a lotta nerve
To say you gota helping hand to lend
You just want to be on
The side that's winning

You say I let you down
You know it's not like that
If you're so hurt
Why then don't you show it

You say you lost your faith
But that's not where it's at
You had no faith to lose
And you know it

I know the reason
That you talk behind my back
I used to be among the crowd
You're in with

Do you take me for such a fool
To think I'd make contact
With the one who tries to hide
What he don't know to begin with

You see me on the street
You always act surprised
You say, "How are you?" "Good luck"
But you don't mean it

When you know as well as me
You'd rather see me paralyzed
Why don't you just come out once
And scream it

No, I do not feel that good
When I see the heartbreaks you embrace
If I was a master thief
Perhaps I'd rob them

And now I know you're dissatisfied
With your position and your place
Don't you understand
It's not my problem

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you

Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is
To see you

but the lyrics are only half the story in this king of bitter ex lover songs. He sings it with a sneer, the hate just drips off every word.

 

[Black Winter Day]

I'm listening to Blonde on Blonde now... weird that this thread popped up. "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" = best song title ever.

 

[speed]

yeah I understand they are thinkijng of honoring him with a nobel prize soon for his lyrics. Problem is, I can never understand what the fucker is saying- its worse than listening to Cryptopsy or something. And his songs are all just ok- kinda of boring musically.

But yeah, he is easily the greatest songwriter in the last 50 years.

 

[matt99_crew]

Blood on the Tracks and Blonde on Blonde are killer.

 

[neal]

he was just in town a few days ago and my roomate went to the show. he said he didnt play guitar at all, only keyboard on a few songs, and it was mostly new stuff. i think he was disapointed.

 

[NAD]

The new stuff rocks! Time Out of Mind is my favorite Dylan album, but I'm hardly old skool.

Saw him live a few years ago, he played geetar the whole show. It ruled.