Song Legends {Episode 9} - Blowin' In The Wind (Bob Dylan)

Please read how this series works before continuing. https://www.thetoptens.com/songs/61756.asp
People have been asking what each /10 means so that's on that post too.

"Blowin' In The Wind" is a Bob Dylan single on the 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".

Lyrics:
The highlight of Bob Dylan in my opinion is the lyrics and this song is an example of what a good songwriter he is. It's very simple yet very deep, meaningful and very metaphorical. This song is supposedly a song about "peace, war and freedom" (I doubt Wikipedia is a reliable source) but I think these lyrics are best left unexplained. It does have references to war but it can be given multiple meanings. It would be easy to over-analyse this song's lyrics and take away the beautiful simplicity to it. In his own words:
"It can mean anything to anybody." Whatever it means, you can't deny they are beautifully written lines.
10/10

Instruments:
It uses the typical harmonica and acoustic guitar formula that Bob Dylan probably invented. He's very good at harmonica and decent at guitar but it kinda all sounds the same given its in virtually every Dylan song. It provides backing for the vocals more than anything else, which I don't mind as I like the vocals. Having said all this the guitar is very gentle and relaxing and the harmonica, as I said, is good as always.
8/10

Vocals:
I know a lot of people struggle with Bob Dylan's singing voice and I do too in some songs (Like A Rolling Stone) as he admittedly hasn't got a very good singing voice. However, in this track his gravelly voice works well as he sounds old and like he's experienced on all the things he's singing about. This makes him sound wistful which I feel is the intention of the song. His vocals are never perfect as he's a weak singer but he sounds good in this song.
8/10

Structure:
It's a two minute long song so it doesn't get dull and it's fine for being a verse, chorus song. Some Bob Dylan songs seem to drag on forever but this is good for that. It also doesn't need to be longer as he manages to get his point across in three verses. I can't fault it so it is a 10.
10/10

Success:
It's become a very famous and influential song in terms of song writing. It inspired Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" (amazing song) but in terms of actual music I feel it's not known for that. Still did very well though.
9/10

My Opinion:
The lyrics are the best part of the song and I really enjoy it but I can't give it a 10 because of the vocals and instruments.
9/10

That's 54/60 leaving it sixth beating "Man In The Box" by list position. You may wonder how such a simple song can get such a high score? I would tell you but the answer is Blowin' In The Wind.
https://www.thetoptens.com/songs/61767.asp?158

Comments

In the biography I heard it's one of his quotes - Kevinsidis