Bands you just didn't 'get' initially

[Doodski]

Bob Dylan is more of a poet than a musician. A lot of his "lyrics" are deliberately obscure, though some are not. Some are more like jokes, but his reputation often prevents people from laughing at them. The quote at the bottom of this page is from "Mississippi", a song of his which appears in various forms - the "official" version is on "Love and Theft", three alternate (and quite different) arrangements on "Tell Tale Signs", and there's a couple of rocking versions by The Chicks and Sheryl Crow, among others. On the other hand, I always though this lyric is about the sort of memory loss associated with old age:

"I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from."

One of my favorite examples of Dylan's "obscure" lyrics is "Highlands", in a way a nod to Robert Burns, in a way pointing to his own reputation as an artist and making a joke about it.

Are there any catchy danceable Bob Dylan songs? Anything worthy of mention for a newbie to Dylan.

 

[Anton D]

Wiggle Wiggle?

Subterranean Homesick Blues, maybe.

 

[CapMan]

despite Donald Fagen not having the traditional type of voice.

As in one that can carry a tune with notes that approximate the ones that were intended !

 

[CapMan]

The whole bluegrass thing was off-putting until my mid '20s and then I began to love it starting with John Hartford. I got bored and really never warmed up to '70s Progressive Rock and switched to Jazz/Rock fusion starting with Pat Metheny Group and Weather Report and became big Jazz fan loving most genres until this day.

I had a Hayseed Dixie phase for a while, but over it now

 

[Timcognito]

I had a Hayseed Dixie phase for a while, but over it now

Actually it was mostly a phase for me too but a later friend really loved it so he enjoyed my collection and knowledge. Jazz has remained a passion.

 

[CapMan]

Jazz has remained a passion.

Jazz is the gift that keeps on giving!

 

[jtwrace]

Tom Petty.

Now I can't see to get enough of the brilliance.

 

[AlfaNovember]

"The Piano Has Been Drinking" was my introduction to Tom Waits when I was a teen. I didn't get it. My only defense is that I, like all 18 year olds, was dumber than a box of rusty hammers at the time. Tom Waits is a national treasure.

 

[Robin L]

Are there any catchy danceable Bob Dylan songs? Anything worthy of mention for a newbie to Dylan.

I don't think so. Any catchy danceable Tim Buckley? (probably, come to think of it). Nick Drake? Leonard Cohen?

Mind you, this (arguably):

 

[concorde1]

I can only think of The Beatles - and I still don't get the appeal. I respect that people like them but I just don't get it.

 

[MattHooper]

Bob Dylan is more of a poet than a musician.

My reaction to hearing Dylan was always being put off by his voice and not finding his songs interesting. People would say, “ but he’s a poet listen to his lyrics!””

My reply was, fine. I wish he’d stick to writing poems rather than trying to sing the words.

 

[AdamG]

Linkin Park First time I heard them on the radio I thought they were to Rapie for me. I was wrong.​

Boston. Every song sounded the same. I was right about that but I didn’t think they would blow up like they did.​

Yanni. I initially thought it was all synth artificial stuff. They we went to a live performance…Full Orchestra all real music I was blown away.

 

[Karmacoma]

Air.
And a lot of 2nd albums of awesome bands.

 

[LTig]

Not a band, but I never got Bob Dylan until recently. I always loved his songs, as long as sung by somebody else, anybody else. However, in the last year or so, I've thought his voice wasn't the nasal whine I always heard it as.

Aging ears can be a blessing, also for bad recordings ...

 

[mglobe]

Led Zeppelin – I was 14 when the first album came out, and I just didn’t get it. In my “defense” I was used to The Monkees. I figured it out in a year or two.

The Specials — Bought their first album, played it once, and put it on the shelf for about a year before I got it back out again. Still listen to them.

 

[Shadrach]

Captain Beefheart. I liked The Spotlight Kid when it came out. Tried a couple of other albums and didn't bother listening further.
Sat down and had a long listen through the speakers one day and my view has changed.

 

[AdamG]

One additional honorable mention…

Dolly Parton. She never really did anything for me until maybe the last 10 years. Her staying power and ability to remain relevant and her voice has only seemed to get silkier and silkier…Amazing performer and actress.

 

[pseudoid]

My list would be too big to list.
However, it appears that the Manhattan Community Board' members are the ones who currently don't get KISS.

 

[Robin L]

My reaction to hearing Dylan was always being put off by his voice and not finding his songs interesting. People would say, “ but he’s a poet listen to his lyrics!””

My reply was, fine. I wish he’d stick to writing poems rather than trying to sing the words.

This probably won't change your mind but thought I should share it anyway. I'm hearing some nuance here that's often lacking in his music:

 

[MattHooper]

One additional honorable mention…

Dolly Parton. She never really did anything for me until maybe the last 10 years. Her staying power and ability to remain relevant and her voice has only seemed to get silkier and silkier…Amazing performer and actress.

Now that you mention it: yeah! Same here. I wasn't even aware of the song Jolene until a few years ago, and now I think it's one of the greatest songs ever.