NFT: Top 5 Bob Dylan Songs

1. All Along the Watchtower (Hendrix version)
2. Tangled Up in Blue
3. Just Like a Woman (Richie Havens version)
4. Visions of Johanna
5. Subterranean Homesick Blues (Sizzla version)

all tied with many others ...

1. Tangled up in Blue
2. Quinn the Eskimo
3. Don't think twice
4. A Hard rain's a-gonna fall
5. Subterranean Homesick blues

Visions and Quinn.

Visions

Positively 4th Street

Shelter

Tom Thumbs Blues

Trying to get to Heaven

very close behind: Love Zero No Limit, Knocking on Heavens Door, Desolation Row

1. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
2. Hurricane
3. Desolation Row
4. Forever Young
5. Knockin' on Heaven's Door

Just Like a Rolling Stone

Positively 4th Street

Tangled Up In Blue

Tom Thumbs Blues

Gotta Serve Somebody

1. It's alright ma
2. Tangled up in Blue
3. Knocking on Heaven's Door
4. Visions of Johanna
5. Mr Tambourine Man

1. Tangled up in Blue
2. I Shall be Released
3. Jokerman
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues
5. Shelter From the Storm
Extra credit: Visions of Johanna

this could be a top 20.

but I absolutely love "Positively 4th Street".

I can't help smiling when I hear this verse:

Quote:

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

Simple Twist of Fate

to my almost top five list

There is an absolutely wonderful collection of the best of Dylan live ( really largely best of Dylan 1995-2005) on youtube collected by a guy who takes one of Dylans disguised names: Elston Gunn.

The Visions version live I think is wonderful...one of his best.

Great Love No Limit in his collection and knockout Positively 4th Streets.

1. Mozambique

2. Meet Me in the Morning

3. Buckets of Rain

4. Wigwam

5. Love Minus Zero/ No Limit


Any song on Blood on the Tracks could make 5...and you could say the same for most of him albums...

'Sweetheart Like You'......great song. Off of Infidels

and any other four you want.

In part because it hasn't been played to death, but it stands on its own as one of the great (greatest?) outtakes of all time.

6:17 and you never want it to end.

I spent a year listening to Dylan...nothing else

It was a fantastic year...

In comment 13532741 Bill2 said:

Quote:

Simple Twist of Fate to my almost top five list

First one that came to mind. Hell, the first 3 songs on Blood on the Tracks might belong in my top 5 list. But I'm going:

1. Simple Twist of Fate
2. Isis
3. Most of the Time
4. Not Dark Yet
5. Visions of Johanna

Tangled
Jokerman
Buckets of Rain
Forever Young
Masters of War

Just so many great songs. Five that come to mind right away:

5. Most of the Time
4. She Belongs to Me
3. Like a Rolling Stone
2. Tonight I'll be Staying Here With You
1. Girl from the North Country

But you see, that list is already bogus because I love Desire from start to finish and didn't' even list a song from that record. Ditto Slow Train.

Always has a place in my Dylan list.

In comment 13532753 shyster said:

Quote:

and any other four you want. In part because it hasn't been played to death, but it stands on its own as one of the great (greatest?) outtakes of all time. 6:17 and you never want it to end.

up to me is fabulous.

"if we never meet again baby remember me.
Im a lone guitar playin sweet for you that old time meoldoy
with a harmonica around my neck Ill blow it for you free
nobody else can play that tune
you knew it was up to me."

there is a first take never finished song of dylans called " To fall in love with you" that I recently learned about and considering its clearly unfinished state its becoming a favorite. Urge any Dylan fans to look it up

and my favorite

I want you
Link - ( New Window )

Here's my off-the-top-of-my-head list subject to change at a moment's notice:
1. Visions of Johanna
2. It's Alright Ma
3. If You See Her, Say Hello
4. Don't Think Twice
5. Neighborhood Bully

And Dylan was a major influence. So, rather than list my 5 favorite Dylan songs here, I’ll link 5 of my brother’s songs that were inspired by, based on or have some other strong connection to Dylan. If you’re a Dylan fan, hope you’ll take the time to check these out.

Crossroads Where I Stand (13 minutes long and based on “Stuck Inside of Mobile”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSRBOV4ZyDk

Somebody Who Will (inspired by “It Ain’t Me Babe”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L1k3XhyrgQ

Nothin Like (inspired by “Tomorrow is a Long Time”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCOntBLUgE

The Parting Glass (traditional song with original lyrics by JP, Dylan based his song “Restless Farewell” on this centuries(?) old folk song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uvLq7Lb5lE

Now It’s Up to You – This one isn’t based on a Dylan song, but JP name checks Dylan. More or less a tribute, I guess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ai4KczTYk

JP talks a little about Dylan too.
Here at his website - ( New Window )

Ballad of a Thin Man...and then everything else.

1. Don't Think Twice it's Alright
2. With God on Our Side
3. Hurricane
4. Like a Rolling Stone
5. The Times They are a Changing

Wanted Man (duet with Johnny Cash)

and I'll add right connection to my heart. Always liked that one

that is

In comment 13532814 aquidneck said:

Quote:

And Dylan was a major influence. So, rather than list my 5 favorite Dylan songs here, I’ll link 5 of my brother’s songs that were inspired by, based on or have some other strong connection to Dylan. If you’re a Dylan fan, hope you’ll take the time to check these out. Crossroads Where I Stand (13 minutes long and based on “Stuck Inside of Mobile”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSRBOV4ZyDk Somebody Who Will (inspired by “It Ain’t Me Babe”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L1k3XhyrgQ Nothin Like (inspired by “Tomorrow is a Long Time”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCOntBLUgE The Parting Glass (traditional song with original lyrics by JP, Dylan based his song “Restless Farewell” on this centuries(?) old folk song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uvLq7Lb5lE Now It’s Up to You – This one isn’t based on a Dylan song, but JP name checks Dylan. More or less a tribute, I guess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Ai4KczTYk JP talks a little about Dylan too. Here at his website - ( New Window )

Wow your brother has a heck of a lot of talent. Cool stuff.

In comment 13532834 gm7b5 said:

Quote:

and I'll add right connection to my heart. Always liked that one

Awesome handle. You play I assume?

Jokerman
Tangled up in Blue
shelter from the storm
tweeter and the monkey man {Traveling Wilbury's}

an anthem for a generation

This is great too, God on Our Side live on the BBC.


Richie Havens Tombstone Blues - ( New Window )

Cuz it adds up to 5 songs in length!

Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Lay Lady Lay
Just Like a Woman
Like a Rolling Stone
Positively 4th St

(Adder) Mr Tambourine Man (Byrds version)

1. Slow Train
2. Masters of War
3. Knockin' On Heavens Door
4. With God On Our Side
5. I Shall Be Released

I probably could find my top 5 just from it.

Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again

and here I sit so patiently
Waiting to find out what price
You have to pay to get out of
Going through all these things twice


Visions of Johanna

But she just makes it all too concise and too clear
That Johanna's not here
The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face
Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place


Maggie's Farm

Well, I try my best
To be just like I am
But everybody wants you
To be just like them
They sing while you slave and I just get bored
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more

Mr. Tambourine Man

Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.

My Back Pages (tied for 5th with 37 others)

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth, "rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white spoke from my skull, I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers foundationed deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

There are too many. All of what's made this thread are great. For some reason, the trifle "Romance in Durango" has stayed with me, along with "Isis," for many, many years. And they with others of his still do. Peerless songs.

In no particular order...Like a Rolling Stone, Tangled Up in Blue, Just Like a Woman, I Want You, & Positively 4th Street.

Should be by era. But I'm game!!

Tears of Rage
Visions of Johanna
I Shall Be Released
Simple Twist of Fate
Blind Willie McTell

I agree with all of the above but one of my favorites is;

"Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry"

In comment 13532737 Steve in South Jersey said:

Quote:

but I absolutely love "Positively 4th Street". I can't help smiling when I hear this verse: Quote: 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

Steve, that's my favorite line too; perhaps the greatest putdown of all Rock and Roll history.

Glad someone mentioned My Back Pages.

My tops (and this is impossible, BTW):

Positively 4th Street
Highway 61 Revisited
Like A Rolling Stone
My Back Pages
I Shall Be Released

Simple Twist of Fate and a million others are also favorites. The man's the best songwriter of the era.

1. Lilly, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
2. Black Diamond Bay
3. Blowin' in the Wind
4. Positively 4th Street
5. It Ain't Me Babe

The Times They are A’Changing
Like A Rollin’ Stone
North Country Fair
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
Positively 4th Street
It Ain't Me Babe
Mr Tamborine Man

I can't do less than this for a top Dylan List

In comment 13533845 gidiefor said:

Quote:

The Times They are A’Changing Like A Rollin’ Stone North Country Fair It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue Positively 4th Street It Ain't Me Babe Mr Tamborine Man I can't do less than this for a top Dylan List

and Blowin in the Wind