Tracker Pixel for Entry

​A Handful of Extraordinary Songs by Bob Dylan

Music | September 16th, 2012

Bob Dylan, among hundreds of other things, was a prolific songwriter. Among the hundreds of things he was -- a singer, an activist, a harmonica player, a poet, a husband, a father, a guitar player -- he was most brilliant and artistically stunning at being a songwriter. In fact, Dylan is, without question, one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century. From classic rockers to bluegrass musicians to indie rockers to pop stars and everything in between, Dylan has made an impact in many artist’s creative lives.

This Sunday, August 19, Bob Dylan will perform in Fargo for the third time in the past decade, this time at the Fargo Civic Center.

There are hundreds of songs we could revisit to get pumped for the show this weekend. Here’s a few of his best to get folks started:

:: “Mr. Tambourine Man” – Famous for its abstract, philosophical lyrics, this poetic tune also has an infectious chorus melody. Dylan’s wailing voice on the word “Hey” is so distinctive to his sound, no one could ever capture his vocal character quite like the way he could.

:: “Just Like a Woman” – Here is one of Dylan’s sincerest takes on a troubled woman. With lyrics sung over delicate guitar playing, Dylan’s yearning to move forward is completely heart melting.

:: “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” – Dylan proves his brilliance in writing creative melodies in this tune. The continuously descending melody line from the start of the verse to the end of chorus simultaneously goes with the words “It’s all over now.”

:: “I Want You” – Dylan gets a bit suave in this tune. His wailing voice gets a little deeper and almost corny sounding (Dylan’s voice could never be perceived as sexy) perhaps to get the girl to fall for him.

:: “4th Time Around” – Quite possibly the instrumental influence for the song “Lorelai” by the amazing modern folk band the Fleet Foxes, this breakup song tells a vivid story accompanied by Dylan’s gorgeously dreary vocals.

:: “Like a Rolling Stone” – Although this song earned him a lot of resentment from fans for “selling out” to make a rock hit, this six-minute powerhouse song is actually regarded the no. 1 “greatest song of all time” by Rolling Stone magazine. This gritty, emotionally charged song makes use of continuous, catchy rhymes that build up to the phrase “How does it feel?”. It is so dynamic in its presentation, it digs into people’s skin and stays there.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Bob Dylan

WHERE: Fargo Civic Center

WHEN: Sun., Aug 19, 7:30 p.m.

INFO: All Ages; http://tiny.cc/yuf1iw

How Much: $63.50 plus fees

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comIt’s been eight years since the Water Protectors were cleared off the banks of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers. It was a bitter ending to a battle to protect the water; and for most of us…

By HPR Staff We’re all a part of building strong, healthy and inclusive communities. But the region’s non-profit organizations do a lot of the heavy lifting. Now it’s time for these organizations to step into the spotlight.…

February 22, 6-7pmEmpire Arts Center, 415 Demers Avenue, Grand ForksPolish up your dancin’ shoes there’s a hootenanny in Grand Forks that you won’t want to miss. Twin Cities-based Pert Near Sandstone joins forces with Pick…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com As I write this article, it’s January, and the temperatures in North Dakota are negative. I’m living in a house and our furnace just died a forever death after years of quick fixes. Yet,…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comHomo Sapiens are now old enough to know betterAccording to fossil experts — so far, Homo sapiens have been around for about 300,000 years, evolving slowly from a few other Homos, until most of the…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com So far in 2025, announcements for new restaurant openings in the metro far outnumber closings. This is good news going into the new year for us hungry folk. In my opinion, the positive trend will…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com To write with any degree of detail about filmmaker Drew Hancock’s “Companion” requires a spoiler alert. So if you have not seen the movie and hope to wring maximum enjoyment from the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIn 1974, the Jamestown Arts Center started as a small space above a downtown drugstore. It has grown to host multiple classrooms, a gallery, performance studio, ceramic studio and outdoor art park.…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On Dec 5, the Turning Point USA chapter at North Dakota State University hosted an event called BisonFest. This event featured Chloe Cole, a former trans kid, known for detransitioning and…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com A friend of mine, a well-known Bismarck liberal (I have a few of those), came up to me after church the other day and asked, “So, are you moving out of the country?” I knew he was referring…