Simple twist of Fate

Sure, I had heard ‘Blowin’ in the wind’ on the transistor radio as a child, years before, and it probably would have been the Peter, Paul and Mary version, I was clueless about the original. Flash forward to 1975-1978 and my student days at St Stephens College, Delhi.

This is where I came into contact with the music of Robert Allen Zimmerman AKA Bob Dylan and I was amazed. If the great Leonard Cohen was responsible for making me believe that writing poems about love was acceptable, then Bob was that writer who would paint pictures with his words.

Weave magic in and around songs that seemed to go on forever. He taught me to paint with words. I find it hard to pin down that one song that got me hooked because it was more words, phrases and images, those moving images. Like watching miniature movies unravel in my mind’s eye.

However, for a novice the first thing that struck me was ‘Is that called singing?’ Somewhere between a dialogue that slips out the side of his mouth to a sharp nasal twang. I couldn’t figure it out. What was there in this music that had every one of my generation and generations before and after in awe.

I was brought up on the rich vocals of Elvis, Nat King Cole and so many others and here we had this strange, strange delivery of words accompanied by music. Then it grew on me. I started paying attention and the lyric started coming to life like nothing before and to use his phrase, one day it “Hit me like a freight train”. Now imagine that!

I do truly thank the people I hung out with in those years at Stephens for introducing me to this genius and his music. Songs that shaped my thinking, songs that influenced the writer in me. Those who were familiar with an acoustic guitar would easily churn out songs by Dylan over a coffee or other more interestingly euphoric mixes.

In smoke filled hostel rooms, crowded college cafés or stretched out on lush college lawns one would peacefully slip away on the music; travel through places on the lyric and never really want to return. The Tambourine Man was always there if you were not too sleepy and there was no place you were going to.

I struggle as I write, to recall the song that got my attention. That impacted me as it were. I do believe it could have well been - ‘Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts’. A song that I can still listen to and picture each and every thing, in fact come to think of it, could it be possible that this one song made such an impression that I always carry a Jack of Hearts in my wallet. But, forget about me let us get back to Bob for now.

It would be safe to assume that a Bob Dylan fan can’t state a favorite Dylan song because like women, each is special and unique. However, I will try, for now, and while I am on it I would suggest, if you have never sampled Bob Dylan, now is a good time as any. Let me share with you some of my favorites.

10 - You gotta serve somebody
A basic truth like most of what this lyricist comes up with as only he can. He calls out all the types of people and pushes the fact in your face every few minutes “you’re gotta have to serve somebody. It may be the devil or it may be the Lord…” Trust me there is no getting away with this hard fact. When asked why he keeps doing what he does on ‘60 Minutes’ interview Bob says that he made a bargain to get where he is and he has to keep up his end of the deal. When asked with who he says with “the chief of this world and the world we cannot see.” I leave it to you to come to your own conclusions.

9 – Don’t think twice it’s all right
Every man worth his salt, has suffered from a broken heart at some point or the other, but Dylan helps you walk away from it intact. Head up high, full on attitude. This being one of the few Dylan songs that I could perform back in the day. Could it be any sharper? “I ain’t saying you treated me unkind, you could have done better but I don’t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time…” Phew!

8 – Hurricane
Dylan paid tribute to Canadian boxer Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter with an epic song about a man who was wrongly framed for murder. Putting him in jail deprived him of his potential. “He could have been champion of the world”

7 – Knocking on heaven’s door
Most people of this generation will tell you that this popular song is the work of Guns and Roses. They are wrong. This too is another masterpiece by Bob Dylan.

6 – Forever young
There is no better song to play for a person on their birthday. I do not want to quote the lyric here but do check it out whenever you will.

5 – The times they are a changin’
In 1964 Dylan put together this song. I have viewed it as a socio-political classic. That is a warning to the sheep, ostriches and those who refuse to see that a revolution happens every now and then and in those days he was the prophet of change. Think about this in an Indian context. “The is a battle outside that is ragin’. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls, for the times they are a changin’.”

4 – Positively 4th Street
I have never come across a more lethal lyric, ever. If you have been betrayed by one you called a friend or a lover this song is the perfect response. My favourite verse: “I wish for just one time you could stand inside my shoes and for just that one moment I could be you. Yes, I wish for just one time you could stand inside my shoes you’d know what a drag it is to see you!”

3 - It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
Today, as we stare at a world going mad, spinning out of control on the verge of nuclear war and rumors of world wars I revert back to where I started, back to this old, old song by Bob Dylan a song for PEACE…

2 – All along the watch tower
I know that with this there will be a sudden surge to know more and discover Bob Dylan as there will be powerful flash backs and nostalgia for those such as I. It is good, for once again this troubadour, prophet, writer, poet, artist will touch more lives in ways that they may or may not realize. Perhaps more will carry in their wallet a Jack of Hearts.

1 – Blowin’ in the wind
“Yes, and how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died? The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind.”

Jack Jigg a.k.a DJ Blackjack!