He occasionally does, but I think he got burnt out being a political spokesman around 1964. From then on his political comments are more subtle and nuanced like in tears of rage or all along the watchtower
I do think he has had a commitment to Civil Rights values throughout his career, though more subtle than the 60s. He released Hurricane obviously in the 70s, then there was Blind Willie McTell - which definitely seems to be drawing on race relations and the legacy of slavery. Just a few years ago he mentioned he was praying for George Floyd and his family. He's just not interested in posturing.
Who’s he going to influence? You think people are going to say, “well Jesus H Christ! Bob Dylan thinks Donald Trump is a fucking joke. I better vote for Biden!”
Why would you even want him to take on the aggravation of making some political statement. Let young pop stars get engaged and make big gestures.
If someone’s soul is not moved by his music, spoken words to some pundit wont matter.
I guess but I’d rather he avoided any toe dipping into modern politics. 83yo multimillionaire is likely to just get drenched with bullshit from one side or the other. Likely both since he’s rich and just sold a castle.
Name a year within living memory that you couldn't apply this statement to.
As for Mr Dylan, I think he's mostly settled in to watching the river flow.
So can you, so can any of us. Who’s to say what he does without a spotlight drawn to it. There’s a lot of way to remain anonymous and still bring about change.
The last time he said something political was after George Floyd's murder. Before that he made a few comments about Obama's elections. If he makes any comments it usually comes from an interview, but he doesn't do many these days.
Lmao you’re saying what everyone said to Dylan since 1965. He’s a musician, not a political activist.
“It's never been my duty to remake the world at large,
Nor is it my intention to sound a battle charge…”
"It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."
"Money doesn't talk, it swears."
"Patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings."
He speaks if you have ears to listen.
IMO he addressed this in My Back Pages. I’ve also seen interviews where he says that there are a lot of other people doing the same kind of protest songs, and then he didn’t feel like he needed to keep doing that. Plus he had more to say than just protest. I think My Back Pages is his realization that people didn’t want to be preached to by (a then) 24 year old. Despite walking away from the protest songs, I think it’s important to note that he never backed down from the content of those songs.
Also, I don’t think he’s stopped writing political songs, he’s just stopped writing protest songs. Workingman’s Blues #2 comes to mind. It’s more descriptive but not protesting or preaching in any way.
God how much I love the more recent music (say since the 90s) Bob’s written. As I age I’ve come to appreciate it so much. So lucky to be alive while this guy is still around writing music.
I believe he always found it frustrating in the early days how many people acted like he was some sort of Messiah or prophet and some people basically stalked him. Avoiding being outspoken about politics probably helps cut down on people treating you as the saviour of mankind, I would imagine.
He was uncomfortable about being compared with Biblical savior Jesus Christ, and very unhappy (even years later) about being compared to Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ in the Bible. It's implied that Bob doesn't think that Judas had God on his side.
He's just a person, and he knows this. Yeah, he's aware of his talents and gifts. He seems to have some kind of supernatural ability, but he is just a product of growing up how and where and when he did, at the crossroads of so many different currents--historical, geographical, political, cultural, musical, technological--and he absorbed into his bloodstream at a young age all these different influences, then had the drive to go out and do what he did to become a successful artist.
Saw him the night Obama was elected (the first time) and he made a positive comment on stage. It was a great way to learn the news. The crowd was so pumped after- celebrating in front of the auditorium.
Dylan spoke out when it was needed the most, during some of the most tumultuous times in American history. When speaking out was not "cool", but could get your head beaten in.
After all he’s done, do you really want Bob to endorse a specific candidate? Think of the person you’re hoping he’ll endorse. That’s who Bob’s legacy should get behind? Everything that person does?
I'd like him make a few songs where folks can be like oh, I know what he means. Maybe even give a few lashings out via his songwriting.
But probably best for him to stay quiet outside his music. He doesn't want the attention nor bs that would come with it. Especially from the right.
He’s seen it all. Ain’t nothing new under the sun. Politics is a blood sport and creates chaos and deep wounds. Dylan is beyond that sort of stuff. He clearly is very different. He is a true and respected artist that simply isn’t thirsty enough for temporary accolades from only half his fans. Why would he alienate anyone? What would Bob Dylan gain from doing this?
Parasocially I’d like to think that over the years he understood both sides don’t represent his views and the whole thing is fucked. But who knows, he might have just got older and richer and stopped giving a shit because he got removed from the consequences of it all. I think we all know better than to try to pretend to understand him on a personal level lol
Why should he? I mean, he was really influenced by Suze and then Joan but it probably wasn't his thing, to be the spokesman for a generation. In fact, he hated it. And he hates that people want him to be something he's not.
Just enjoy the music.
He doesn't need to be spokesperson anymore. He should just use his influence and reach to help prevent a catastrophy that probably woudn't spare him either.
Why would an 80 something year old man want to get involved in the complete nonsense of politics? He let's his songwriting speak for him and that's how it should be.
The songs are the talking.
It must be incredible frustrating to be generally recognized as the greatest songwriter ever, only to have everyone ask you what your opinions about everything are.
i haven't listened to Dylan since he refused to post the black IG square for BLM. didn't post a inspirational pride message either. what an out of it boomer!
I don't think that's exactly true, he wasn't afraid to alienate huge amounts of fans over his going electric, or later with Born Again Christianity. And since then he's done some pretty unusual turns - appearing in IBM or Victoria Secret adverts, releasing a Christmas Album - which could also potentially turn fans off.
Honestly I think he just doesn't care about political posturing on statements. It's not really his area, he got very fed up with the whole voice of a generation thing.
What was unusual about the Victoria’s Secret ad? It was the punchline to a 50 year old joke. [Link 10:54](https://youtu.be/wPIS257tvoA?si=d-I30VW7TR6WzGHx)
I guess because you're either an artist or a politician. You can make as much impact one way or another but maybe it's best to stick with what you know best.
"Extreme arrogance can have some disastrous penalties. Maybe we are on the eve of destruction,” he says. But he bristles at the interviewer’s suggestion that we might think of the plague “in biblical terms.” “You mean like some kind of warning sign for people to repent of their wrongdoings? That would imply that the world is in line for some sort of divine punishment,” he says, nixing that line of theology."
Bob Dylan on the pandemic in a July 2020 interview
Definitely hints at the handling of it.
My mistake it was gulf war one that was happening. Off by 10 years but it was highly political at the time.
https://youtu.be/nbbP6RzroIY?si=ZwhsjGdxlCuE2SPF
I feel confident that was the performance I was thinking about because I remember it was nearly indecipherable.
I think everyone who has any kind of influence should speak out about Trumpism before it is too late. No exceptions. Nobody is too important or too artistic or too rich or too fragile for basic moral imperatives.
It seemed like he used politics as a means to an end (art), instead of actually caring super much about politics. Also during the freewheelin New York times his girldfriend was politically active, so the political themes might have just been something he picked up.
I think the fact that people anointed him the greatest and most important political songwriter is what made him stop speaking out so much about politics. Being an authority or figurehead is contrary to his sense of artistic purpose and identity.
Listen to To Ramona and My Back Pages. That isn’t meant to be a sarky comeback, they lay out perfectly his feelings at the time and his transition from activism
You can tell he gets a lot of anxiety being labelled as anything. Probably comes from 1963 when people were labelling him as a protest singer and prophet and it was just too much
His mid 60s electric period was in part, a rebellion against speaking out about standard, partisan politics and he’s probably never fully gone back to his prior mindset.
**What’s your estimation of President Obama been when you’ve met him?**
“What do I think of him? I like him. But you’re asking the wrong person. You know who you should be asking that to? You should be asking his wife what she thinks of him. She’s the only one that matters.
Look, I only met him a few times. I mean, what do you want me to say? He loves music. He’s personable. He dresses good. What the fuck do you want me to say?”
**It was Election Night 2008. Onstage at the University of Minnesota, introducing your band’s members, you indicated your bassist and said, “Tony Gamier, wearing the Obama button. Tony likes to think it’s a brand-new time right now. An age of light. Me, I was born in 1941 – that’s the year they bombed Pearl Harbor. Well, I been living in a world of darkness ever since. But it looks like things are gonna change now.”**
“I don’t know what I said or didn’t say. As far as Tony goes, yeah, maybe he was wearing an Obama button and maybe I said some stuff because right there in the moment it all made sense. Maybe I said things looked like they could change. And maybe they did change. I don’t think I could have predicted how they would change, but whatever was said, it was said for people in that hall for that night. You know what I’m saying? It wasn’t said to be played on a record forever. Or did I go down to the middle of town and give a speech?”
[Source](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-dylan-unleashed-189723/)
I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s more than a little trepidatious about saying ANYTHING about modern politics after having it almost destroy him as “the voice of a generation.”
"this is how I spend my days, I came to bury; not to praise. . . I'll drink my fill and sleep alone". He is above it all like others said. It's really about enjoying his music at this point.
*If he did I don't*
*Think many of us would like*
*What he had to say*
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He used to care, but things have changed.
I think I prefer that timeline over the one were Dylan goes full Roger Waters
He occasionally does, but I think he got burnt out being a political spokesman around 1964. From then on his political comments are more subtle and nuanced like in tears of rage or all along the watchtower
I do think he has had a commitment to Civil Rights values throughout his career, though more subtle than the 60s. He released Hurricane obviously in the 70s, then there was Blind Willie McTell - which definitely seems to be drawing on race relations and the legacy of slavery. Just a few years ago he mentioned he was praying for George Floyd and his family. He's just not interested in posturing.
He had a top 40 hit with George Jackson also
Ah, but he was so much older then, he's younger than that now.
Fearing not he becomes his enemies in the instant that he preaches
Just like the lyric!
The not so subtle MTV question about guns. It’s so funny. He’s the best.
'Politics is an instrument of the devil. Politics is what kills, it doesn't bring anything alive'- 1984 interview
Do you know where I can find this interview?
Rolling Stone interview with Kurt Loder, 1984
Thank you!
Who’s he going to influence? You think people are going to say, “well Jesus H Christ! Bob Dylan thinks Donald Trump is a fucking joke. I better vote for Biden!” Why would you even want him to take on the aggravation of making some political statement. Let young pop stars get engaged and make big gestures. If someone’s soul is not moved by his music, spoken words to some pundit wont matter.
He could get non-voters to vote.
I guess but I’d rather he avoided any toe dipping into modern politics. 83yo multimillionaire is likely to just get drenched with bullshit from one side or the other. Likely both since he’s rich and just sold a castle.
Sure, it's just that 2024 seems to be such a crucial year. If things go wrong, it might be the end of democracy.
Americans thinking they've ever been a democracy or have stood for democracy is so cute lol
I'm not American. And you have to admit, there's a world of difference between democracy in the USA and democracy in Russia.
Name a year within living memory that you couldn't apply this statement to. As for Mr Dylan, I think he's mostly settled in to watching the river flow.
1973-2023
Are you volunteering for a campaign? If you’re this concerned I hope you are
No, I'm not a US citizen. But still concerned, about war in Europe for example.
Don’t think you need to be a citizen to text bank or do other online volunteering
I'm European.
Yeah in text banking you just send texts from a computer you don’t need to be here physically
So can you, so can any of us. Who’s to say what he does without a spotlight drawn to it. There’s a lot of way to remain anonymous and still bring about change.
This non voter can’t be persuaded to vote unless a candidate or ballot question could compel me.
End of democracy is not a question that can compel you?
If any election that I am eligible to vote in would result in a tie and my vote would decide the winner then I might consider voting.
And if I would know that I would win the lottery I might consider buying a ticket! :-)
He's a song and dance man.
Excellent reply
“Politics are just sports for rich people” (too lazy too google when / where he said it. Maybe Chronicles?)
The last time he said something political was after George Floyd's murder. Before that he made a few comments about Obama's elections. If he makes any comments it usually comes from an interview, but he doesn't do many these days.
He hints pretty clearly at his leanings on certain things in that interview. And its definitely to the left.
I wouldn’t be so sure about that.
I would but folks could interpret anyway you want it.
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. I respect it but I see things differently. No matter. Cheers
He also performed for Obama at the white house
He also performed at Bill Clinton's inauguration
He communicates all he wants say through his songs. Plus, he has no desire to be a spokesman
If Taylor Swift can do it...
Bob "could" do it. He just chooses not to.
And Taylor is one of the most discerning in which issues she chooses to take a public stance on. I think Bob has been the same way for a long time.
The only winning move is not to play. He figured that out 60 years ago.
smart since Hoover was on to him and so many other progressive voices were literally killed
The man already said he ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more.
Because he's a smart man.
"Ain't Talkin', just walking"
Lmao you’re saying what everyone said to Dylan since 1965. He’s a musician, not a political activist. “It's never been my duty to remake the world at large, Nor is it my intention to sound a battle charge…”
"It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." "Money doesn't talk, it swears." "Patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings." He speaks if you have ears to listen.
Although the first 2 are from his early days, while the question was about him in more recent years.
I think all his lyrics, regardless of when they were written, answer the question just as well.
He learned the hard way. Let’s his songs do the talking now.
IMO he addressed this in My Back Pages. I’ve also seen interviews where he says that there are a lot of other people doing the same kind of protest songs, and then he didn’t feel like he needed to keep doing that. Plus he had more to say than just protest. I think My Back Pages is his realization that people didn’t want to be preached to by (a then) 24 year old. Despite walking away from the protest songs, I think it’s important to note that he never backed down from the content of those songs. Also, I don’t think he’s stopped writing political songs, he’s just stopped writing protest songs. Workingman’s Blues #2 comes to mind. It’s more descriptive but not protesting or preaching in any way. God how much I love the more recent music (say since the 90s) Bob’s written. As I age I’ve come to appreciate it so much. So lucky to be alive while this guy is still around writing music.
best answer in this thread
Thank you nice human.
But he was so much older then, he’s younger than that now
Because he’s above all that. He can see the history of the whole human race.
It's a dead end for a performer.
I believe he always found it frustrating in the early days how many people acted like he was some sort of Messiah or prophet and some people basically stalked him. Avoiding being outspoken about politics probably helps cut down on people treating you as the saviour of mankind, I would imagine.
He was uncomfortable about being compared with Biblical savior Jesus Christ, and very unhappy (even years later) about being compared to Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ in the Bible. It's implied that Bob doesn't think that Judas had God on his side. He's just a person, and he knows this. Yeah, he's aware of his talents and gifts. He seems to have some kind of supernatural ability, but he is just a product of growing up how and where and when he did, at the crossroads of so many different currents--historical, geographical, political, cultural, musical, technological--and he absorbed into his bloodstream at a young age all these different influences, then had the drive to go out and do what he did to become a successful artist.
“Republicans buy sneakers too”
Saw him the night Obama was elected (the first time) and he made a positive comment on stage. It was a great way to learn the news. The crowd was so pumped after- celebrating in front of the auditorium.
Read some of his recent interviews, they are not overtly political but you can get a sense of his feelings on the world at this time.
He doesn’t want to
Dylan spoke out when it was needed the most, during some of the most tumultuous times in American history. When speaking out was not "cool", but could get your head beaten in.
He's a song and dance man.
His cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
After all he’s done, do you really want Bob to endorse a specific candidate? Think of the person you’re hoping he’ll endorse. That’s who Bob’s legacy should get behind? Everything that person does?
Just this one time. Because the other one would end democracy.
What if his endorsement shockingly disappoints you?
Looking at our two choices... it looks like democracy has been dead for a long time.
Compare it to Russia. They have elections, but the same guy always wins, miraculously.
Dylan doesn't like to be pigeonholed. Why do you fools keep trying to box him into a role he never sought?
What role are you talking about? Responsible citizen?
delusional moron.
No, not your role! I was talking about Dylan.
Dylan hasn't wasn't isn't about to meet your expectations. He's an artist, he don't look back.
Maybe he should look in the direction of what's coming.
who are you to demand that of anyone?
Your personality cult is reaching worrying levels. Who is Dylan that the average citizen isn't allowed to talk about what he could or should do?
talk such as yours eventually leads to tyranny. who the fuck are you to tell anyone how to live his life?
You Americans are very strange. Did you notice that your next election could lead to tyranny?
Cause he isn’t dumb bro
He did get Farm Aid rolling with an off the cuff remark
And that went over like a fart on a car with lots of people.
I'd like him make a few songs where folks can be like oh, I know what he means. Maybe even give a few lashings out via his songwriting. But probably best for him to stay quiet outside his music. He doesn't want the attention nor bs that would come with it. Especially from the right.
He’s seen it all. Ain’t nothing new under the sun. Politics is a blood sport and creates chaos and deep wounds. Dylan is beyond that sort of stuff. He clearly is very different. He is a true and respected artist that simply isn’t thirsty enough for temporary accolades from only half his fans. Why would he alienate anyone? What would Bob Dylan gain from doing this?
He could gain being able to vote again in 2028, if you know what I mean.
We live in a political world.
Parasocially I’d like to think that over the years he understood both sides don’t represent his views and the whole thing is fucked. But who knows, he might have just got older and richer and stopped giving a shit because he got removed from the consequences of it all. I think we all know better than to try to pretend to understand him on a personal level lol
Why should he? I mean, he was really influenced by Suze and then Joan but it probably wasn't his thing, to be the spokesman for a generation. In fact, he hated it. And he hates that people want him to be something he's not. Just enjoy the music.
He doesn't need to be spokesperson anymore. He should just use his influence and reach to help prevent a catastrophy that probably woudn't spare him either.
Why should he?
Never mind. You don't get it.
I think you don't get Dylan.
I have strong political opinions and if I’m getting paid to sing songs or hit a baseball you’re damn sure not going to get much out of me.
If someone else just wrote a big book called *The Philosophy of Modern Song,* would you ask them why they don’t speak out more about politics?
Yes, why not.
Why would an 80 something year old man want to get involved in the complete nonsense of politics? He let's his songwriting speak for him and that's how it should be.
The songs are the talking. It must be incredible frustrating to be generally recognized as the greatest songwriter ever, only to have everyone ask you what your opinions about everything are.
I don't agree at all. If you had asked Thomas Mann what he thinks about Hitler, do you think he would have said: don't ask me, it's all in my books!?
You want an artist on the level of Bob Dylan to come out and make an anti-Trump political press release? Leave it for the hacks like Colbert.
Yes, why not?
He's never really been political outside of his first few years with his protest songs. He left those songs behind and never looked back.
Hurricane begs to differ
That is one exception, yes. We also have to remember that album was a joint effort and not 100% Dylan either.
i haven't listened to Dylan since he refused to post the black IG square for BLM. didn't post a inspirational pride message either. what an out of it boomer!
Because no matter what he or anyone in his position says he’ll alienate half his base.
I don't think that's exactly true, he wasn't afraid to alienate huge amounts of fans over his going electric, or later with Born Again Christianity. And since then he's done some pretty unusual turns - appearing in IBM or Victoria Secret adverts, releasing a Christmas Album - which could also potentially turn fans off. Honestly I think he just doesn't care about political posturing on statements. It's not really his area, he got very fed up with the whole voice of a generation thing.
What was unusual about the Victoria’s Secret ad? It was the punchline to a 50 year old joke. [Link 10:54](https://youtu.be/wPIS257tvoA?si=d-I30VW7TR6WzGHx)
I guess because you're either an artist or a politician. You can make as much impact one way or another but maybe it's best to stick with what you know best.
"Extreme arrogance can have some disastrous penalties. Maybe we are on the eve of destruction,” he says. But he bristles at the interviewer’s suggestion that we might think of the plague “in biblical terms.” “You mean like some kind of warning sign for people to repent of their wrongdoings? That would imply that the world is in line for some sort of divine punishment,” he says, nixing that line of theology." Bob Dylan on the pandemic in a July 2020 interview Definitely hints at the handling of it.
Man has historic perspective.
even if i completely agreed with Dylan's politics i wouldn't want to hear them
At the height of the War on Terror build up Dylan played Masters of War on national TV.
Can you tell me when and where this was? I’m trying the Google machine and having no luck. Thanks
My mistake it was gulf war one that was happening. Off by 10 years but it was highly political at the time. https://youtu.be/nbbP6RzroIY?si=ZwhsjGdxlCuE2SPF I feel confident that was the performance I was thinking about because I remember it was nearly indecipherable.
Murder Most Foul is a political song, and the album cover of RRW has a shadow that looks like someone whose name I won't mention.
I need to know what this mysterious shadow is.
I really don't see it honestly
You don't see the politics of Murder Most Foul?
I think everyone who has any kind of influence should speak out about Trumpism before it is too late. No exceptions. Nobody is too important or too artistic or too rich or too fragile for basic moral imperatives.
So it’s immoral for anyone famous not to spout their opinions into the echo chamber? Everyone’s mind is long made up.
Lots of people have not made their minds up.
Not everyone has realized the danger.
I wish he would. In my opinion it is needed in these Amy’s to pick a side and help your fellow man.
He lost his social conscience in a motorcycle accident.
It seemed like he used politics as a means to an end (art), instead of actually caring super much about politics. Also during the freewheelin New York times his girldfriend was politically active, so the political themes might have just been something he picked up.
He'll "be busy that day". People should think for themselves. I disagree with the notion he was a political songwriter.
Likely doing to being barely audible at this point, idk
I think the fact that people anointed him the greatest and most important political songwriter is what made him stop speaking out so much about politics. Being an authority or figurehead is contrary to his sense of artistic purpose and identity.
Listen to To Ramona and My Back Pages. That isn’t meant to be a sarky comeback, they lay out perfectly his feelings at the time and his transition from activism
You can tell he gets a lot of anxiety being labelled as anything. Probably comes from 1963 when people were labelling him as a protest singer and prophet and it was just too much
He used to care; he still does, but he used to too
Dylan doesn’t speak out a lot about anything. His songs do his talking. Listen again to Political World.
His mid 60s electric period was in part, a rebellion against speaking out about standard, partisan politics and he’s probably never fully gone back to his prior mindset.
**What’s your estimation of President Obama been when you’ve met him?** “What do I think of him? I like him. But you’re asking the wrong person. You know who you should be asking that to? You should be asking his wife what she thinks of him. She’s the only one that matters. Look, I only met him a few times. I mean, what do you want me to say? He loves music. He’s personable. He dresses good. What the fuck do you want me to say?” **It was Election Night 2008. Onstage at the University of Minnesota, introducing your band’s members, you indicated your bassist and said, “Tony Gamier, wearing the Obama button. Tony likes to think it’s a brand-new time right now. An age of light. Me, I was born in 1941 – that’s the year they bombed Pearl Harbor. Well, I been living in a world of darkness ever since. But it looks like things are gonna change now.”** “I don’t know what I said or didn’t say. As far as Tony goes, yeah, maybe he was wearing an Obama button and maybe I said some stuff because right there in the moment it all made sense. Maybe I said things looked like they could change. And maybe they did change. I don’t think I could have predicted how they would change, but whatever was said, it was said for people in that hall for that night. You know what I’m saying? It wasn’t said to be played on a record forever. Or did I go down to the middle of town and give a speech?” [Source](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-dylan-unleashed-189723/) I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s more than a little trepidatious about saying ANYTHING about modern politics after having it almost destroy him as “the voice of a generation.”
Sensible?
Why don’t you do it, what more do you want from him?
I bought all his records, at least twice on CD and again on vinyl. I think I can demand a little effort.
Effort 😂 man I didn’t think it was possible to be this entitled. You don’t deserve music period.
Hey, I'm not entitled, the whole world is entitled to get some political action from the old man! I don't ask for myself.
"this is how I spend my days, I came to bury; not to praise. . . I'll drink my fill and sleep alone". He is above it all like others said. It's really about enjoying his music at this point.
If he did I don't think many of us would like what he had to say
*If he did I don't* *Think many of us would like* *What he had to say* \- usernamefinalver --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")