Rolling Stone's Top 20

Like a Rolling Stone- #1

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Released-1965

 

Dylan uses this song to describe a woman (although the specific woman is unknown) that is unaffectionately referred to as “Miss Lonely.” His descriptions of this woman illustrate a disdain that Dylan has for her due to her fall from the upper ranks of society as she was once attending the “finest schools” but is now having to learn “how to live out on the street.” Her fall seems to stem from a choice away from Dylan towards another man who has not treated her right and who “took from [her] everything he could steal.” Dylan also seems to compare the relationship to one with the devil as she stared “into the vacuum of his eyes” and was asked if she wanted to make a deal. The chorus is further rubbing her situation in her face as Dylan tauntingly asks “how does it feel?”

 

Themes: Resentment, Relationships

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“Blowin’ in the Wind”- #14

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Released- 1963

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This song is a philosophical song that seems to be written for a strategic purpose. The song asks questions such as, “How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man? And, how many times must a man look up at the sky before he can see the sky?” Dylan’s answer to all these questions are at the end of each verse, “the answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.” His is simply saying that there is no right answer, that we all develop our own morals and beliefs. Bob Dylan is essentially trying to make his listeners question there morals and beliefs.

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Themes: Morals, Beliefs, Philosophy