100 Songs

by Bob Dylan

“Dylan remains the rare singer whose work is worth reading on the page. His words are consistently funny, alive to the sound of language, and of course appealingly cryptic.” — The New York Times Book Review

A new collection of Bob Dylan’s most essential lyrics—one hundred songs that represent the Nobel Laureate’s incredible range through the entirety of his career so far.

Bob Dylan is one of the most important cultural figures of our time, and the first American musician in history to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. 100 Songs is an intimate and carefully curated collection of his most important lyrics that spans from the beginning of his career through the present day. Perfect for students who may be new to Dylan’s work as well as longtime fans, this portable, abridged volume of these singular lyrics explores the depth, breadth, and magnitude of one of the world’s most enduring bodies of work.

Genres: Poetry, Music, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2017

About the author

Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, poet, and, of late, disc jockey who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. Much of Dylan's most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when he became an informal chronicler and a reluctant figurehead of American unrest. A number of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements. His most recent studio album, Modern Times, released on August 29, 2006, entered the U.S. album charts at #1, making him, at age sixty five, the oldest living person to top those charts.

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature (2016).

Reviews

[Alina Cristea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful surprise!

[Ânia Pais Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was re-introduced to Dylan during last year, and I am so grateful that I was influenced to have started reading more about him, and actually sit down and read his songs/poems.

Dylan can write about literally anything and make it sound poetic and beautiful, sometimes in the more traditional sense of the word beauty, others in a more dystopian sense (in no way less beautiful), which is alas a characteristic of his critical style.

From simple love songs/poems like “Girl from the north country” and “Forever Young”; to songs/poems about seeking a higher ground like “Mr Tambourine Man”; songs/poems that are a voice for protest like “A hard rain’s gonna fall” or “Hurricane”; and songs/poems about faith and redemption in his conversion phase like “Slow train”; - all of these personal favourites as they are a perfect combination of lyric and melody -, this is a great compilation for anyone who wants to get to know and understand Bob Dylan a little better, but also, through his vision, to learn a great deal about the society of his time.

So that’s where I will stop, as this little book really does speak for itself: no need to go on about what a legend, great musician, poet and inspiration Dylan is!

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice way to update the collections of Dylan lyrics by cherry-picking and including some of the more recent material. Wonderful stuff, of course.

[ROS]

100 Songs summarize almost all Bob Dylan's songs. I love the idea of having the artist's lyrics compile in a book. I have spend my days reading it while I listen to his songs. Actually, I cannot explain what I feel... it is just amazing! I recommend it to all Dylan fans.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want the lyrics to 100 of Bob Dylan's most popular songs, then this is the book for you. But that is, unfortunately about all it is. The book is very cheaply produced. Cover is flimsy, pages are of cheap paper, and the color schemes are horrible. But the biggest problem with this book is the lack of any additional information on these great songs. If you are looking for background information on the songs in this book you will not find any. The book is simply one page, one song lyrics. The top of each page list the song title, followed below by the words to that song, and nothing else. Not even a short note on the album the song was on or even a release date. This book lacks even the most minor of substance, try finding the books author or editor on the copyright page, you will only find the book designer's name. Now I understand the author ultimately has to be Bob Dylan himself since he wrote every song in this book but it should at least have the editor.

I would have a hard time recommending this book at it's price tag of $17 when all of Dylan's lyrics can be found on line for free via a quick Google search. Unless you are someone who just has to have his lyrics bound in bookform, I would spend my money on a good Dylan biography instead.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes such a difference seeing these songs in print - whether investigating then on their own or following along while listening to the songs, it provides a richer experience of Dylan.

There are some big omissions from the list: Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, With God on Our Side, Isis, Sara, Maggie's Farm and, perhaps most glaringly, Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands. A great collection, nonetheless.

[Marcus Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to like? Sure, I could quibble with some of the choices, but why would I?
Bob is a genius who's words work on paper, screen and in the music.

The great thing about his songs is they are constantly changing. These might have been the lyrics today, but they wont necessarily be the lyrics tomorrow: infinity does not go on trial for Bob. Just listen to Shadow Kingdom!

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of Dylan's best songs; lyrics only.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic songs...does the book need to exist? Shrug.

[Elizabeth Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrics of Bob Dylan’s songs, I enjoyed reading them all in one place.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you are limited to 100 this is not bad.