This past week in class we talked about the recent achievement of Bob Dylan, winning a Nobel Peace Prize, and also listened to some of his music that got him that award. I myself have never listened to more than 30 seconds of his music so this was a first time for me and there were some interesting connections that I made. One was that his music almost reminded me of some music, such as country music, today. I could see a somewhat close comparison in the way the songs are sung and the lyrics are made. It makes me think that probably many musicians today do draw their inspiration and ideas from music from years ago, just like Bob Dylan’s. His music was something that inspired millions and started actual movements. Both him and the music he sang had that impact on the world.
Another interesting note that I made was when when listening and watching him perform you also see something different between the way he performed and the way that performers perform today. His music was all natural and genuine. No back up singers, no auto tune, no added background sounds; just Bob Dylan, his guitar and a microphone in a sound room. This to me showed the natural and real side to him. This, I believe, is why he had such a profound impact on the world. He created a celebrity status to himself but kept no other-worldly barrier between him and his followers. Also when you watch him it looks like it comes natural, and he is performing something that he really enjoys and believes the words he saying. Sometimes when I watch and listen to music of today the singers either look nerved, unnatural and like they are just saying words and not meaning them. They are forcing words out of there mouth to make a song, but when Bob Dylan sang he made it flow so easily due to the meaning the words had to him.
When comparing music from today to music of years past I think Bob Dylan is a great comparison due to the impact he had. He had millions of fans, started rally’s, and even some may say stopped wars. He was the true definition of a change agent. Wherever he went his words were valued so much and they had such impact. That’s why when you compare modern music to music’s past he is a perfect comparison due to the “gold standard” that he set not only in the world but also in the music industry.