Music

Polygamy to Dunkin' Donuts: 7 insights from Bob Dylan's new book The Philosophy of Modern Song

Bob Dylan’s new book celebrates modern music, but also gives rare insight into his thoughts on money, touring and his favourite sugary treats

The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan

The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan is published today. It is his first book since the acclaimed Chronicles, Volume One was published in 2014 and since then Dylan has won the Nobel Prize in Literature. So expectations for his new tome are high.

The Philosophy of Modern Song does not disappoint. Comprising of 66 essays, Dylan riffs on popular songs from the last century. Reading the book is like being able to hear with his ears. He explains the stories songs are based on, the impressions they inspire.

The prose is very Dylan. It’s full of fantastic phrasing, surprises, misdirection. But above all it’s a celebration of music Dylan loves. Some songs are well known standards like Volare, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Black Magic Women, Strangers In The Night – others are forgotten classics sure to be resurrected by Dylan shining the spotlight on them.

Music brings together all the biggest issues in the world, from love to death, war and religion and Dylan gives glimpses of his own philosophy throughout.

Here are just a few examples of his wit and wisdom.

Lessons from The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan likes donuts

Before the book begins, there’s an example of Dylan playing the jester. The Philosophy of Modern Song is dedicated to legendary Tin Pan Alley songwriter Doc Pomus, but a special thanks also goes to “all the crew at Dunkin’ Donuts”.

The one and only Dylan reference

In a book profiling 66 of the greatest songs ever sung, there’s only one passing reference to one of Bob Dylan’s own. Writing about Elis Costello’s Pump It Up, Dylan comments: “[Costello] obviously had been listening to Springsteen too much. But he also had a heavy dose of Subterranean Homesick Blues.”

Money never changed a thing

Dylan digs into financial matters while writing about Elvis Presley’s Money Honey, coming to this conclusion: “…Ultimately money doesn’t matter. Nor do the things it can buy. Because no matter how many chairs you have, you only have one ass.”

Bob Dylan’s Never Ending tour explained

Bob Dylan played over 3,000 shows on the so-called Never Ending Tour between 1988 and the pandemic. At 81, he’s still on the road (and I’ll be going to see him tonight in Glasgow right after I schedule this article!) and in the book he explains the appeal of touring. Writing about Willie Nelson’s On the Road Again, he says:

“There’s another song to be written about the real reason you can’t wait to get on the road again. Nobody’s mad because you didn’t take the garbage out, acquaintances don’t just drop in unannounced, neighbors don’t give you the stink-eye every time the wind shifts.

“The thing about being on the road is that you’re not bogged down by anything. Not even bad news. You give pleasure to other people and you keep the grief to yourself.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBN86y30Ufc

The pro-polygamy argument

In an eye-opening – likely tongue-in-cheek – passage, Bob Dylan promotes polygamy. It’s related to Johnnie Taylor’s song Cheaper To Keep Her that takes in destructive lawyers and equality. Dylan writes: “Mixed marriages, gay marriages – proponents have rightly lobbied to make all of these legal but no one has fought for the only one that really counts, the polygamist marriage.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0V3q6Knwpk

He continues: “You can almost hear the gnashing of teeth and snarls from the crusaders and lobbyists” before adding that it shouldn’t only apply to men marrying multiple women: “Have at it, ladies. There’s another glass ceiling for you to break”.

MAGA

Some advice for those who don’t think America is as great as they imagine it once was. “If you want to hear a political record play this one,” Dylan says about Feel So Good by Sonny Burgess. “If you’re wondering what happened to the late, great country you grew up with or how you can make America great again perhaps this record can give you some idea.”

Fake news

Continuing to address some of the problems that plague contemporary society, Dylan writes about how the echo chambers we surround ourselves with are damaging society.

“Turns out, the best way to shut people up isn’t to take away their forum – it’s to give them all their own separate pulpits,” he says.  “Ultimately most folks will listen to what they already know and read what they already agree with. They will devour pale retreads of the familiar and perhaps never get to discover they might have a taste for Shakespeare or flamenco dancing.

“It’s the equivalent of letting an eight-year-old pick their own diet.”

Read more of Bob Dylan’s words in The Philosophy of Modern Song (Simon & Schuster, £35), out now

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Yungblud on 'ignorant' politicians, his own affordable festival and how music can change the world
Music

Yungblud on 'ignorant' politicians, his own affordable festival and how music can change the world

How the world finally caught up with music pioneer Alice Coltrane
Alice Coltrane
Music

How the world finally caught up with music pioneer Alice Coltrane

How a swanky London townhouse links composer Handel with Jimi Hendrix
Handel’s bedroom in Brook Street, London
Music

How a swanky London townhouse links composer Handel with Jimi Hendrix

Kool & the Gang's Robert Bell on music, politics and the secret to a happy marriage
Letter to my younger self

Kool & the Gang's Robert Bell on music, politics and the secret to a happy marriage

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know