Bob Dylan College Essay Example

“I don’t think when I write. I just react and put it down on paper... what comes out in my music is a call to action. His songs influenced the movement, as much as the movement influenced him (Blanton, A., 2001). His Music did not just amuse people, but contributed to people’s reflection of existence of self-conflict and human ignorance (Hubpages, 2009). And although he was not considered an amazing singer or guitar player, he became a significant part in the folk revival through his songs, which shared powerful political views of the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War, becoming anthems for those who shared his opinions to protest. Apart from creating anthems his lyrics provided awareness of the problems at the time (Gray, M., 2011).

In 1961, Dylan’s dreams of fame were becoming a reality. The following year, he received his first music contract from Columbia Records. He released two albums in 1962 and 1963, titled "Bob Dylan" and "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan." These releases prompted his interest in writing about the Civil Rights Movement. He expressed frustration towards leaders who opposed change. Dylan's girlfriend at the time, Suze Rotolo, was involved in the civil rights organization C. O. R. E. (Congress of Racial Equality). They asked Dylan to write a song for them.

One notable topic that Bob Dylan addressed in his music was the tragic event known as 'the death of Emmet Till.' This song recounted the murder of an African American teenager named Emmett Till in 1955. Emmett had been killed simply because he whistled at a white girl. The song gained significant attention and played a role in the desegregation of the

University of Mississippi, which was exclusively white at the time. This event marked the beginning of the civil rights movement and showcased Bob Dylan's importance in the folk revival of that era (Blanton, A., 2001). Despite not being heavily involved in the Vietnam protest, Bob managed to write multiple anti-war songs that became anthems for the period.

One of the more popular figures known as "masters of war" is Bob Dylan, who exposed the immoral nature of individuals profiting from war while young men were sent off to die. This further increased awareness among thousands of people about the ideologies driving the Vietnam movement, establishing music as a potent weapon (Hubpages, 2009). According to Tran Long An, vice-president of the Vietnam Composers' Association, "Bob Dylan's music opened up a path where music was used as a weapon to oppose the war in Vietnam and fight injustice and racism" (BBC, 2011). Dylan's use of music for protest became a groundbreaking approach, inspiring more people to follow suit and showcasing his immense significance within the folk revival and Vietnam War movement (Blanton, A. 2001).

Bob was essential in protest movements and played a significant role. Additionally, he played a crucial part in the development of folk music and influenced other genres and bands. The Beatles' ability to write introspective songs would not have been possible without Bob's influence on their lyric writing and development. Bob also introduced the electric guitar to his performances, impacting the genre by incorporating other instruments into folk music and transforming it into folk rock and country rock (Erlewine, S., 2012).

Bob Dylan's songwriting was a crucial part of the folk revival, impacting a large number

of people. His songs exposed listeners to stories that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and served as anthems for protests against the Vietnam War. By using his music to express dissent and by experimenting with different instruments, Dylan contributed to the popularity and progression of folk music. Although his songs were not solely responsible for inspiring protest movements, they did provide emotional motivation and influenced the world with Dylan's perspective, establishing him as one of the most important songwriters of the folk revival.