New Bob Dylan authored book- "The Philosophy of Modern Song" November 2022

No, it’s not Chronicles Vol. 2, but it sounds interesting enough. A collection of essays on music by the man himself…

Bob Dylan Announces New Book The Philosophy of Modern Song

 

I’m in. In a big way.

 

Woah - seems like big news. How exciting.

Dylan began working on The Philosophy of Modern Song in 2010. The book contains over 60 essays that Dylan wrote about songs by artists including Stephen Foster, Elvis Costello, Hank Williams, and Nina Simone. “[Dylan] analyzes what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal."

 

As it happens with his most recent albums, it seems like he made the book cover himself on Microsoft Paint.

 

I'll borrow it from the library. No more money to Bob.

 

He definitely has adopted a particular aesthetic for this stage of his career.
Certainly not to my taste, but if the book is hardbound I'll take the jacket off anyway, so I'm not bothered.
60 essays about songwriting just seems like a major gift from Dylan. Really excited for this project.

 

My prediction for the Elvis Costello song Dylan will examine is “Everyday I Write The Book” (though for obvious reasons “Pump It Up” would seem like a distinct possibility too).

For reasons that might be clear to anyone who has read EC’s memoir, it would be funny if the song turns out to be “Jimmy Standing In the Rain.”

 

Odd choice for a cover, but that's Bob for you...

 

The cover is so bad it made me think this was a hoax, but seemingly it isn't.

 

Let the plagiarism accusations begin!

 

Wonder if he got permission to reproduce any of the song lyrics that might be included, or if he'll claim that it's just the folk process to copy them without permission!

 

Coming out the same day as McCartney Legacy. Should be busy around here in November.

 

Am I the only one who thinks Bob "analysing" other peoples songs via "60 essays" sounds just a tad w**ky??

 

If it's Bob then I'm in. But I would like Chronicles II.

 

Bob is always up to something

 

Big surprise! I'll look forward to reading it.

L.

 

Each time you borrow a book from a public library, a publisher gets approximately $1, so he’s still winning

 

Not at all. That is what Bob made his career on. Sponging up as much as he could from all types of music. It seems very much a logical step. I can see him jotting down little notes as he is on the tour bus.

 

Yes...where the hell is it?

 

Man, lots of snark and animus on this thread. This will be a first-day read for me. Looking forward to it.

 

Amen!

 

sign me up for a copy

 

in Bob's head...

 

Yeah, I like this idea much better than Chronicles actually. Chronicals was a fun read but who knows how much was made up.

 

Really looking forward to this. Love thoughtful songwriters talking (or writing) about songwriting. But Tuesday Nov. 8, that's a hell of a lot of promotional lead time!