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.
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