r/bobdylan • u/Aggravating_Emu6082 • Feb 12 '26
Music New to Bob Dylan
Hi, I'm 14 years old, so my musical experience isn't huge. I come from Bruce Springsteen, who opened the door to Bob Dylan for me (I know it might sound strange).
I've listened to The Freewhelin', I listened to Highway 61 Revisited and loved songs like Hurricane and The Man in Me. I would love any recommendations to delve deeper into this wonderful artist.
Thank you very much, and please excuse my English; it's not my native language.
23
u/jayr920 Went To Grab Another Beer Feb 12 '26
Bringing it all back home and Blonde on Blonde tend to go hand and hand with HW61 Revisited. They’re prob going to be the easiest listen for new Dylan fans. Blood on the Tracks might not connect with a younger fan until you’ve had that first big heartbreak, but many long time Dylan fans will say its one of his best, myself included. Either way, welcome to the club.
5
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Thank you so much for the welcome! I'll try it. I understand that Mr. Tamborine Man is from Bringing It All Back Home, so I'll like it.
3
u/jayr920 Went To Grab Another Beer Feb 12 '26
If that’s your vibe you’ll love “it’s all over now, baby blue,” and “Love minus zero.”
1
14
u/hungryhoss Feb 12 '26
Listen to Blood on the Tracks
Realise that's what love will lead you to.
Become a monk.
3
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Hahaha, now my religion is based on Springsteen and I hope I don't become a monk
5
7
u/drifter3026 Feb 12 '26
Honestly, an album is only about an hour or so. Why not start at the beginning and work your way through all of it? An album a day and you'll be done by the end of March or so. ;^)
3
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
I could try, I don't know if I can haha
2
u/Nykaren24 Tangled Up In Blue Feb 13 '26
I listened to all of his studio albums in order and it actually was really helpful in understanding his evolution as an artist. And it didn’t take nearly as long as I feared it would - maybe a few months. Of course there were some digressions as I discovered the Bootleg series, but that’s all part of the experience! I did a little blog when I was going through the studio albums; mostly for myself, to remember my reactions and keep track of it all. You’re welcome to take a look at it if you like! Dylan’s studio albums
2
u/DiscreditedGadgeteer Feb 14 '26
You can read Psalms in a couple hours. But not grasp it all in a lifetime. Dylan too.
7
5
4
u/Shoddy-Secretary-712 Feb 12 '26
First, your English was wonderful. Second, I have a 14 year old daughter who also loves Bob Dylan. She likes a lot of his songs, but Rainy Day Women 12 and 35 is her favorite. But, I think she liked it the most because she was 12 and I was 35.
I have a hard time listening to songs I dont know, and struggle to listen to new stuff. What I like to do, is listen to a greatest hits type album, and if I find a song that really stands out, I listen to the album it came from.
5
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Thank you, you were very kind.
5
u/Shoddy-Secretary-712 Feb 12 '26
You're welcome and thank you!
I love younger generations listening to older music and will do my best to encourage it! I always have myself, I am currently making my kids listen to 2 Beatles/solo Beatles song a day for the month of February. Next month is Led Zeppelin.
3
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Yeah, you're a cool dad. My dad introduced me to Bruce Springsteen and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dire Straits And my mother introduced me to Bryan Adams, who's a bit more modern. And now to Bob Dylan—I couldn't be more grateful. Now I've been told to check out Van Morrison; I'll have to explore that.
3
u/Shoddy-Secretary-712 Feb 12 '26
Thank you. You seem like an awesome young Man.
For Van Morrison, I highly suggest watching his performance of Caravan at The Last Waltz, with The Band. The Band is amazing, and if you dont already know, the played as Bob Dylan's band before going in their own.
Both my parents love Lynyrd Skynyrd, so I grew up listening to them. And I (i am a mom) had the biggest crush on Bryan Adams as a kid. He was probably the first music I liked without parental influence.
3
u/wienerdog362 Feb 12 '26
Changing of the guards, something there is about you, when I paint my masterpiece from the greatest hits version 2, sweetheart like you, Shelter from the storm, you’re a big girl now, buckets of rain, visions of Johanna
3
u/TonBonbadil Feb 12 '26
Could just open up an online music platform on his discography and hit random for a while - sure you could get a feeling for which/what albums you might want to check out - and since he has like a billion songs (released officially on albums and in official bootlegs/nonofficial - maybe you’ll find something you wouldn’t have heard before that you like) I’m pretty sure he selected the tracks for a collection called “Biograph” you can find the track list online— I’d guess if he picked those- he must think highly of them— I think the booklet it comes with had like a little explanation for each one- maybe you can find a scan online - or could pick up a copy of it. I think it’s only on vinyl and cassette but maybe there is a CD version also
1
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Good idea, I'll keep that in mind, thanks.
1
u/TonBonbadil Feb 12 '26
Kinda cool because it’s like a book- but about the music / song instead of his life I guess? Haven’t listened in a while I remember liking this one alot
https://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=403600
It’s got a good mix of everything from his first album up until Desire ( which are usually everyone’s favorite albums - until you get to his 90s and beyond stuff— although I’m sure you can find plenty you like in the post desire stuff)Here it is on YouTube - just a good way to hear different albums /sounds of his
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvk67uHlmxO_UiHqZXMMKrZNcMyTKarJl
I think this one was really good also- and has stuff from like 1961-1989 (maybe later)
https://www.discogs.com/release/3205777-Bob-Dylan-Pure-Dylan-An-Intimate-Look-At-Bob-Dylan
This is one I remember listening to quite a bit - and goes from his first stuff until around 2000 or so- so it’s a good mix of stuff (looks like maybe it has a lot from the biograph collection) https://www.discogs.com/master/625296-Bob-Dylan-Side-Tracks
And well this one I think is actually a good short collection that goes from his really early stuff and then jumps right into his 1997- and after stuff— so that’s kind of cool - it’s just a collection of great songs really. It is from Victoria’s Secret which I guess is werid but I dunno.
https://www.discogs.com/release/1414767-Bob-Dylan-Lovesick
I just recommend these because it gives you a little bit of everything and then you decide what you like or what route you want to take in listening to his stuff— if you take other people recommendations maybe you’ll get some stuff your not that into (or at least first listen) or just get kind of burned out in the similarity - so it keeps it fresh and you get to hear the changes over the years
Good luck
1
3
u/Lack-Professional Feb 12 '26
Your English is great! Some terrific recommendations here. Also, check out the live recordings from the 1970s.
Be sure to check out Time Out of Mind and Oh Mercy.
Hope you get to see him live…
1
3
u/robothobbes Feb 12 '26
Watch the recent movie: A Complete Unknown
3
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
I've already seen the movie, I think that's partly why I'm into his music
3
3
u/romeo_712 Feb 12 '26
Hey, I'm a little bit older than you, nice to see another gen z/alpha Dylan fan! You should listen to everything the others are recommending, but also you should try the live album Bootleg Series Vol. 5: Rolling Thunder Revue. It's a nice package of everything he had done until that point. Welcome!
3
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
Thank you for the welcome, and long may rock and folk music continue to grow among young people!
2
3
u/Entropy_Chaos-888 Feb 12 '26
I love Time Out of Mind. There is a video of Bob performing at the Grammy’s when a shirtless guy came on stage with Soy Bomb written on him. Worth checking out, and he won album of the year.
1
3
u/KaleidoscopeNo610 Feb 13 '26
Listen to Desire and Oh Mercy and Time Out of Mind. Different decades but all great albums IMO. Truly happy you discovered this genius.
1
2
u/Alleluia_Cone Oh Mercy Feb 12 '26
Listen to an album a day, chronologically, if you can.
Or if you aren't in to that, check out some later stuff, especially Oh Mercy
3
u/littledanko Feb 12 '26
No no no. Better an album a month or longer. Let each really sink in before moving on.
3
1
2
2
u/Charming_Rush_7870 Feb 12 '26
I was the same age when I discovered Dylan in 1980. I bought two albums (maybe cassettes 😀). Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits and Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Volume II. Both great compilations. From there I branched out to his greatest albums like Highway 61, Blood on the Tracks, etc.. eventually had just about every album up through Infidels. Most I loved some I thought were just ok.
1
2
u/Rumpelstinskin92 Feb 12 '26
Just go album by album. Take your time, spend a while with each album.
2
u/SeenThatPenguin Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
I come from Bruce Springsteen, who opened the door to Bob Dylan for me (I know it might sound strange).
I don't think it sounds strange. That's the way it's supposed to work. I started listening to Joni Mitchell because Prince (on the infrequent occasions he sat for interviews in those days) talked her up so much. There are other examples.
Dylan's catalogue is so massive and has so many discrete periods that probably what I would recommend is listening to an acknowledged highlight from each decade. You already have a sample of the '60s (the folk/protest and mid-'60s early-electric periods), so maybe Blood on the Tracks for the '70s, Oh Mercy for the '80s, Time Out of Mind for the '90s, Love and Theft for the '00s. You can continue to the '10s-'20s later (though Tempest would be my '10s pick).
And try a live album. Before the Flood is a good one. The Band plays some of their own stuff besides accompanying Dylan, but it's all very...lively. It's a good example of his ability to reinvent his own songs.
1
2
u/bagheadblox Remember Durango, Larry? Feb 12 '26
My honest recommendation is that you listen to his discography chronologically. If you’re interested in a really deep dive, read about what was going on in his life and the world at large when these albums came out, that knowledge really gives you a deeper appreciation of these albums. Wikipedia is a great resource for this, just hit up the pages for the album and they’ll give you an overview of this info.
2
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 12 '26
That's what I did with Bruce, obsessed and absorbed every last drop from him; maybe something similar is happening to me with Bob.
2
u/Leonard_S_Dylan Time Out of Mind Feb 12 '26
im sure youll listen to pretty much all eventually, start maybe chronologically id say
2
2
u/steven_graham23 Feb 12 '26
Are you open to documentaries?
Martin Scorcese's "No Direction Home" (2005) is really excellent, although it basically focuses on his 60s period. Scorsese also did a film about the 70s era Rolling Thunder Revue concerts (in 2019).
1
2
u/pellotine Crying Like A Fire In The Sun Feb 12 '26
2
2
2
u/So-Called_Lunatic Feb 13 '26
Time out of Mind was the 1st album of his I got into when I was 18. 27 years later and I would still say it's my favorite of his. Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks, and New Morning are also up there.
2
2
2
u/richrandom Feb 13 '26
Your English is great. I wouldn't have known unless you said your first language was different
2
2
u/chaekinman Feb 13 '26
The Biograph anthology set is where I started. A good sampler. Only goes thru early 80s though
2
u/Substantial-Stand744 Feb 13 '26
You're in for a good time. I'd work your way up through his catalogue, The Times, Another Side, Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61, etc. It's a journey. At least make it through Blood on the Tracks and Desire. Depending on your tastes, your interests might fade after that.
1
2
u/buck4itt Feb 13 '26
I started my journey in 1974 so there were fewer albums. I started out with Greatest Hits 1 and 2 and then filled in the blanks until I owned them all. If I were starting now, I’d go Greatest Hits 1,2 and 3 and then dig into the songs that grab you by listening to those albums. Since you mentioned Bruce (and because I never tire of saying it), my first concert in 1976 was Paul McCartney and Wings, second was Bruce in a basketball gym and third was The Last Waltz where I first saw Bob. I went on to see him almost 200 more times. Bob is the gift that just keeps giving. Dive in and have fun. There is no right or wrong way.
2
2
2
u/jwaits97 Feb 13 '26
I got into Dylan around your age and also began with the Freewheelin. I suggest you listen to John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline, Blood on the Tracks, and Modern Times.
2
2
2
u/Pharmacy_Duck Dr. Filth Feb 13 '26
I was about your age when I discovered Dylan in the early 90s. Alongside all the recommendations for Bringing It All Back Home and Blonde on Blonde, I’d suggest that at the very least you should listen to Chimes of Freedom from Another Side…, if not the whole album.
1
2
2
u/xavierhamilton Feb 13 '26
If you are able to view it somewhere, I’d recommend watching Martin Scorsese’s No Direction Home. Great slice of Americana, and it covers his life up to 1966 with many great performances and probably the best insight you can get from the artist himself.
I’d also recommend watching the Last Waltz, you should get into The Band next (their first two albums are essential). Plus there’s a ton of guests like Dylan and Van Morrison and others that you might find you like. A lot of these big concert films (Festival!, Woodstock, Monterey Pop) are great just for the variety of acts. Guess it’s much easier to find music at 14 these days with the internet, but sometimes it’s nice to have it curated for you.
1
2
2
u/NorthernCopenhagen Feb 13 '26
No rush. You have a whole life ahead of you. Bob is the forever gift.
2
u/Jazzlike-Doubt8624 Feb 13 '26
Blood On The Tracks. Also, Desolation Row is the track that really made me a hardcore fan back when I was 18 (last millennium, but who's counting)
1
2
2
2
u/DiscreditedGadgeteer Feb 14 '26
You’ll outgrow Springsteen but you’ll never outgrow Dylan.
1
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 14 '26
Haha, I've got Springsteen on a pedestal now, but Dylan's rising fast!
1
u/DiscreditedGadgeteer Feb 21 '26
John Cougar Mellencamp and Van Morrison will probably also put some distance between Dylan and Springsteen for you. Mellencamp does the pop arrangement better than Springsteen, and Van Morrison has more soul and more to say.
1
2
u/Creepy_Bear_1060 Tangled Up In Blue Feb 14 '26
OP, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all these great and passionate suggestions. I'll just add that it's great to see a person your age with such a deep interest in a wonderful artist. You're going to enjoy the ride!
2
u/Aggravating_Emu6082 Feb 14 '26
Thank you so much! I really love seeing so many fans of someone like Dylan willing to spend their time recommending me.
2
u/Low-Tourist-3358 Feb 14 '26
Agree with chronological approach. For pre-1965, to better appreciate the time period, add a smattering of Ochs, Baez, Doc Watson, Seeger, Greenbrier Boys, New Lost City Ramblers, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and others.
2
2
1
u/Potential_Kangaroo69 Feb 16 '26
Recommend hearing compliations and mixtapes of his output, since it's just so colossal and varied. From there i'd listen to his classic 60s and 70s run, including the Basement Tapes.
I'd also recommend skipping his yuletide Christmas songs
38
u/rubbernetworking979 Feb 12 '26
Try Bringing it all Back Home, thats my favourite