Bob Dylan’s Rise: From Folk Roots to Cultural Icon
Bob Dylan has been covered and copied by almost everyone who’s ever attempted to write a song. Some even say he invented modern songwriting.
His influence is so profound, it’s difficult to find an artist post-1960 who hasn’t been directly or indirectly shaped by his work.
With such a vast catalogue of classics, it’s nearly impossible to pick a handful to summarise Dylan’s legacy—so let’s begin at the start.
In the early days, his albums were mostly made up of covers, traditional songs, and reworked material. His debut, Bob Dylan (1962), featured Song To Woody—an original tribute to his songwriting hero Woody Guthrie. Two standout traditional numbers are Man Of Constant Sorrow and beginner guitar favourite House Of The Rising Sun.
A year later, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan was released, marking his breakthrough as a songwriter. It included Blowin’ In The Wind, Girl From The North Country, Masters Of War, A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall, and the fantastic Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.
After Peter, Paul and Mary covered Blowin’ In The Wind, the world took notice—and Dylan’s fame soared.
In 1964, The Times They Are A-Changin’ was released. Only the title track became truly legendary, though it’s worth noting it’s heavily inspired by the traditional Celtic folk song Come All Ye Bold Highway Men. That’s a good tip for aspiring songwriters—start by rewriting, and don’t be afraid to borrow. Songwriting is a craft; you need a strong work ethic.
That same year came Another Side Of Bob Dylan. The standout here is It Ain’t Me Babe.
By 1965, Dylan hit his stride, releasing a string of classic albums and songs right through to 1970. This period includes Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie’s Farm, Mr. Tambourine Man (famously covered by The Byrds), It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding), It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, Like A Rolling Stone, Highway 61 Revisited, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, I Want You, Just Like A Woman, All Along The Watchtower (famously covered by Jimi Hendrix), I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, and Lay Lady Lay.
To most, 1965–1969 represents Dylan’s golden years. But for some, there was still plenty more to come.
From Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door to Time Out of Mind: Bob Dylan Post-1969
The ’70s gave us more Bob Dylan classics, including If Not For You, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (famously covered by Guns N’ Roses), Tangled Up in Blue, Idiot Wind, Shelter from the Storm, Hurricane, and One More Cup of Coffee.
The ’80s were Dylan’s weakest decade. It began with his born-again Christian phase and included Infidels, an album with poor production despite featuring one great tune: Jokerman. The decade ended on a stronger note with the bluesy and aptly titled Everything Is Broken, which summed up much of his ’80s output.
The ’90s didn’t start much better, until 1997, when Dylan released what I believe is his ultimate masterpiece: Time Out of Mind. For the first time, songwriting and production were equally outstanding. Daniel Lanois produced what is by far Bob’s best-sounding record. Standout tracks include Not Dark Yet, Tryin’ to Get to Heaven, Cold Irons Bound, and Make You Feel My Love. The latter became a hit for Adele, and has since been covered by 449 other artists.
Sadly, despite releasing several albums after Time Out of Mind, no truly significant tunes have followed, and he’s never quite captured that sound again.
Throughout his career, Dylan’s songs have often found more success in the hands of others, but even when not covered, his influence runs deep. Practically every serious songwriter since the 1960s owes something to the most influential figure in popular music: Bob Dylan.
One final song worth mentioning is Wagon Wheel. Dylan wrote the chorus around the same time as Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door but never finished or recorded it. Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show discovered it on a bootleg demo, wrote the verses, and turned it into a modern country standard. Artists like Nathan Carter and Darius Rucker have since had hits with it.
If you’re an aspiring songwriter, there’s no better artist to study. Ask any major musician, and they’ll tell you: Bob Dylan is the master.
To explore Dylan’s remarkable career in greater depth, there are countless books available. A particularly insightful guide can be found at the website Bob Dylan Come Writers and Critics.
Bob Dylan Tunes | Related Pages
All Along The Watchtower | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C#m B | A B |
There must be some kind of way outta here…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Blowin’ In The Wind | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| G C G/B | D/A D G | G C G/B | G |
How many years can a mountain exist, before it’s washed to the sea…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Blowin’ In The Wind – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right | Chords + TAB
Learn how to play Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C C/G G G7 | Am7 Am/G |
Well, it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right (Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
End Of The Line | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play End Of The Line by the Traveling Wilburys using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| D D/A | D | D A | G |
Well, it’s alright, ridin’ around in the breeze…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: End Of The Line (Traveling Wilburys) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
House Of The Rising Sun | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, chord analysis, and the original recording.
| Am | C | D | F |
There is a house in New Orleans…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: House Of The Rising Sun (The Animals) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Knocking On Heaven’s Door | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Knocking On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G D/F# | Am Am7 |
Mama take this badge off of me…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Knocking On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Like A Rolling Stone | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C Dm |
Once upon a time you dressed so fine…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Make You Feel My Love | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan(and Adele) using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recordings.
| Bb | F/A |
When the rain is blowing in your face…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Make You Feel My Love (Adele + Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Mr. Tambourine Man | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G/B A | D G/B |
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
One More Cup Of Coffee | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play One More Cup Of Coffee by Bob Dylan using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, chord analysis, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| Am | G |
Your breath is sweet, your eyes are like two jewels in the sky…
Start learning with the full lesson series: One More Cup Of Coffee – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Wagon Wheel | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | (Dsus2) D | Em | (Csus2) C Csus2 |
So, rock me mama like a wagon wheel, rock me mama any way you feel…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Wagon Wheel (Darius Rucker) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Bob Dylan on the web
