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The Philosophy of Modern Song

Written by: Bob Dylan
Narrated by: Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jeffrey Wright, Renée Zellweger
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Publisher's Summary

The Philosophy of Modern Song is Bob Dylan’s first book of new writing since 2004’s Chronicles: Volume One—and since winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. The audio is narrated by an all-star lineup including Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jeffrey Wright, and Renée Zellweger!

Dylan, who began working on the book in 2010, offers his extraordinary insight into the nature of popular music. He writes over sixty essays focusing on songs by other artists, spanning from Stephen Foster to Elvis Costello, and in between ranging from Hank Williams to Nina Simone. He 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. These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition. Running throughout the book are a series of dream-like riffs that, taken together, resemble an epic poem and add to the work’s transcendence.

In 2020, with the release of his outstanding album Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan became the first artist to have an album hit the Billboard Top 40 in each decade since the 1960s. The Philosophy of Modern Song contains much of what he has learned about his craft in all those years, and like everything that Dylan does, it is a momentous artistic achievement.

©2022 Bob Dylan. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about The Philosophy of Modern Song

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    5 out of 5 stars

So funny, in a philosophical way.

This was a pleasure I'm sure to repeat. Dylan uses many widely different strategies for approaching these songs, so be aware you'll be changing gears. Also, you will want to intersperse enjoying the book with listening to the songs, which are not included with the recording.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved it

Listening a second time because it is so dense and clever. A fresh perspective on some fave songs and an introduction to many more.

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The Philosophy of Modern Song

Well researched, thought provoking and engrossing. Expertly narrated! Thoroughly enjoyable for anyone with an appreciation for poetry, storytelling and music.

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I loved this unique presentation

not for everyone
but compelling for music lovers who bought records and hung on every lyric

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Do Not Buy

A waste of time. Rambling pseudo intellectual useless, a incoherent mess of nothing. No philosophy no useful information to glean. Turn around and leave.

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