Song for Bob Dylan

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"Song for Bob Dylan" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album Hunky Dory. An obvious tribute to Bob Dylan. The gentle acoustic/electric blend functions as its own form of tribute to the more country-leaning work of Dylan via Nashville Skyline and his collaborations with the Band, with a great singalong chorus that one could easily imagine Robbie Robertson and company writing on their own.

The Robert Zimmerman referred to in the lyrics is the birth name of Bob Dylan. Bowie suggests that we have lost Dylan's "train of thought", and asks Robert Zimmerman to "gaze a while down the old street". Bowie is suggesting that Dylan has compromised his protest song credentials. It therefore becomes clear that the song is an appeal to Robert Zimmerman (the 'real' Bob Dylan) to return to his protest song roots.

[edit] Other releases

  • It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.


David Bowie
Studio Albums
David Bowie | Space Oddity | The Man Who Sold the World | Hunky Dory | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars |
Aladdin Sane | Pin Ups | Diamond Dogs | Young Americans | Station to Station | "Heroes" | Low | Lodger | Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) |
Let's Dance | Tonight | Never Let Me Down | Black Tie White Noise | Outside | Earthling | 'hours...' | Heathen | Reality
With Tin Machine
Tin Machine | Tin Machine II
Live Albums
David Live | Stage | Ziggy Stardust - The Motion Picture | Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby | Santa Monica '72 | Bowie at the Beeb | LiveAndWell.com
Soundtracks
Christiane F. | Labyrinth | The Buddha of Suburbia |
Related Articles
Tony Visconti | Brian Eno | Mick Ronson | Iggy Pop
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