THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

103-Bob Dylan-Blowin’ in the Wind.

1963-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 2.21. This was the first song to make Bob Dylan financially secure. He had released the song as a single himself, but without any success, but after letting the Folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary record a version, which reached Number 2 on Billboard, things were to change forever. Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) recalled that when he told Dylan he would make more than $5,000 (equivalent to around $48,000 in 2022) from the publishing rights, Dylan was speechless!

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was written by Bob Dylan, (see also best songs 792-621-358-36 and 7) and first recorded by him in July 1962, and became the opening track on his second studio Album ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,’ which was released in May 1963. ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ was produced by John Hammond, (1910-1987) who played a major part in the early development of Dylan’s music career, as well as helping many other major artists of the 20th Century.

Bob Dylan has said that it took him around 10 minutes to write ‘Blowin’ in the Wind,’ taking some inspiration for the song from his idol the Folk singer Woody Guthrie, (1912-1967) whose autobiography ‘Bound for Glory’ includes Guthrie comparing his political sensibility to newspapers blowing in the winds of New York City’s streets and alleys. The melody to ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is not totally a Dylan original, and he has stated that it was adapted from an old African/American slave song called ‘No more auction Block/We Shall Overcome.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ is a protest song, it tells us that peace and freedom are achievable, as is the ending of war, the answer to all of these questions are right in front of us, yet we do not see it. The song also caught the attention of the ‘Civil Rights Movement,’ with the American singer Mavis Staples stating her surprise that these words had come from a 21 year old white man. Another singer who was heavily influenced on first hearing the song was Sam Cooke, (1931-1964) who is said to have been inspired to write ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ (see also best songs 156.)

In June 1962 Bob Dylan spoke about the song in the Folk Music journal ‘Sing Out!’ ‘There ain’t too much I can say about this song except that the answer is blowing in the wind. It ain’t in no book or movie or TV show or discussion group. Man, it’s in the wind, and it’s blowing in the wind. Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is, but oh I won’t believe that. I still say it’s in the wind, and just like a restless piece of paper it’s got to come down some, but the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down, so not too many people get to see and know and then it flies away. I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many wars. You people over 21, you’re older and smarter.’

‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ marked a big step forward lyrically for Bob Dylan, and it was the music critic Andy Gill (1953-2019) who wrote,’A song as vague as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ could be applied to just about any freedom issue. It remains the song with which Dylan’s name is most inextricably linked, and safeguarded his reputation as a civil libertarian through any number of changes in style and attitude.’

‘How many roads must a man walk down, before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail, before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly, before they’re forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind.’