So whats the point of a great lyric if you can't understand a single word of it!

Great music... but his drugs and politics sucked.

The highest rank was Great, there was no GODLY or UNREAL, so Great he is. Mr. Dylan is the best lyricist to ever live--needs to be in the top 10 if not top 5. He changed the way we looked at the world, our country, and ourselves. Not at all the best musician, nor the best singer, but the words he brings to the table??..well, put it this way, to be he is the greatest poet to write in the last 50 years! If you do not believe me pick up Blonde On Blonde, especially "Visions of Johanna."

As much as he's done for folk music as well as rock and roll, even country, he deserves nothing less than 5 stars. Yes, his voice isn't attractive, but his lyrics and the tone of his music was always about the sign of the times. When it comes to his early music, it is pretty much a history lesson than it is entertainment and that is something that can never be forgotten.

A little hard to understand, but a 60s classic none the less.

Absolutely a legend in the eyes of a true music lover. A great songwriter with-in my opinion- a great, unique voice. Personally, I think he's very good-looking-though he's 45 years older than me. To think, he influenced everyone-even The Beatles! Who else can write songs like Bob Dylan? He's timeless-I can't imagine a world without Bob Dylan.

Nobody ever created a better synthesis of music and literature. Ever. He's fantastic and original in all possible ways. Whoever underestimates him must also admit that he's the goddamn creator of the modern musical styles. If not for him the Beatles would have ended up singing "love me do & blah blah blah" and stuff. If not for him we wouldn't ever have true, lyrical rock music.

yuc

Fantastic songwriter! And though he may not be the best singer in the world, there's something about his voice that I really like! It's different!!

Someone,anyone,please take this man out. He sounds like a cow in horrible pain when he sings. Granted he has a tune or two that is worthy but the rest is just, CRAP.

Dylan is certainly a very important figure in music history and deserves respect as a songwriter but I simply can't listen to him as a performer. The man should NOT sing. Especially in later years, his croking vocals have become offensive to the ear.

I'm sorry but I'm one of those people that can't get past his voice. That keeps me from rating him any higher or buying any of his recordings. I recognize his importance in popular music history. He was one of the first, if not the first to bring social commentary to music. I like his songs when I hear groups like the Turtles (It Aint Me Babe) or Peter, Paul & Mary sing them. I'd like to hear some of his songs from the "Slow Train Coming" album done with a different voice.

I think he is a better song writer than a singer. Personally I have a heck of a time understanding what he is saying. But he has been around for years. and in his own right, he is a legend.But as I said more for his song writing than singing. That is just my opinion.

SHEESH! WHATS THE BIG DEAL BOUT DYLAN!

better than jesus

His voice is a bit annoying, but I love classic music, so how can I not love Bob Dylan.

a hero to many, perhaps because he gave a voice to a generation. it would be wrong of me to say that is why i admire him as i don't what the sixties were truly like. i admire him simply because he does things his way. most acts nowadays (thats all they are, a stage/freak show-delete as applicable) do things because they may get attention or money. he did it because it was what he wanted to do. if you think he can't sing, fine, but listen to his voice and the words together, he knows what he's on about because he's been there and done it. its like lennon said, it's not just what the words mean, it's how there sung. listen to pretty much any of his songs and he can place you right there in it, the sound , the emotion, the characters, it's all there the electric set on the live 1966 album-it gives you goosebumps no matter how many times you listen play on, song and dance man.

great man, great lyrics, great songs,(best songwriter ever, EVER!!!!!) and great voice. all these people that say he can't sing don't realise that singing isn't just hitting high notes, its emotion,and this guys got it. its poetry guys, ya can read this stuff. and to the guy that thinks he only did good stuff when he was high, how many songs have you heard? anyone who doubts Dylan should listen to his performance of Like A Rolling Stone from Manchester in 1966 after someone calls him Judas and then tell me he's not honest and courageous.

Bob is DA MAN, come on people! English is not even my first language and I understand what he says! Come ON! Bob Dylan can sing damnit! He's better then Caruso!

I especially love his early LPs, the first four or so. What enduring classics! I will never grow tired of listening to such gems as "The Times they are a-Changin'," "It's All Over Now Baby Blue," etc.

Along with Lennon/McCartney, Dylan is the best songwriter to ever live. His songs have so much meaning. A real genius as well as being an icon in American history. As a lyricist, Dylan is not surpassed by anyone. "Blowin' in the Wind" is a social commentary. He turned public opinion with his masterpiece "Hurricane" to show the problems in our judicial system and how racist it really is. His library of great songs is simply voluminous. He is #4 on my list of all-time greatest artists.

Dylan is a good guy. catchy tunes. love it until he picks up that harmonica.

"Blowin' in the Wind" is a great song. As is "Mr. Tambourine Man". But there are some people out there that Bob Dylan just can't compare to (e.g. Harry Chapin, Paul Simon). Did y'all hear how dang messed up his memory is? He's writing some memoirs, and he's having to ask people about things that happened in his life. Oh, well...if could sing as well as Dylan could, I would be satisfied, and that is not an understatement. If I said that about Paul Simon, that would be a HUGE understatement. All in all, a pretty good singer/songwriter/guitarist. 4 stars.

Rock and roll's genius bard. The only knock on Dylan is that most of his songs are more known for others versions of them. But it makes for a fantastic tribute concert! Dylan is simply the best lyricist for conveying a message or a point. The best folk-rockers of all time.

Great music.

My apologies to Medgar Evers, but for the life of me, I can't imagine how words can work very well for Dylan in song when YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND A DARN THING HE SAYS! I mean - am I supposed to READ Dylan or LISTEN to him (attempt to) sing? I guess if I had only those two options, I would choose to read his words - which are much more worthy of any praise. My eardrums can't really take the tunes - which sound for all intents and purposes like someone back masking their childhood record collection.

Just to understand how revolutionary his music was, pick up 1966's "The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: The Royal Albert Hall Concert." It gives a nice overview of his early career and how influential he was and is. I have his entire record span from 1963-70, and he's one of the few artists that you can truly study- study his words, think about what he's saying. Then again, sometimes you'd have to be stoned to understand what he's saying. He's cleaned up now, however, and is my personal favourite and forever a legend. About his voice: we all know Hendrix is no Roy Orbison, when it comes to vocals, but when Jimi listened to "Highway 61 Revisited," he decided that he'd try a little singing, hearing that Dylan had opened a doorway for the "vocally impaired" with another way to express themselves. Bob Dylan is just flat out amazing.

A couple of months ago, I was dragged (kicking and screaming) by my fiance and his friends to see Bob Dylan live when he gave a concert about 45 minutes away from where I live. I went into it with the mindset that "I know I won't enjoy it, but I'll appease the group." Before that concert, I would have agreed, if not been one of the first to say that his voice detracts from an otherwise mind-blowing performance... But about 20 minutes into the concert, it began to hit me that his unique voice is the vehicle to carry his emotion... His voice isn't studio magic, but instead, the croning of a man who sings it like he's lived it-- 'cause he has. He has written some incredible stuff over the years-- his music has evolved with him-- and who better to tell the stories than the person who lived them. Right up there with Kerouac and Ginsberg. How can his music not move you?!! Look at the influence that he had during the 60's and his effects on the Beatles. While he is, at times, hard to understand, his lyrics bring numerous epiphanies to the willing listener-- if you'll give him a chance.

He doesn't have much of a voice, but the words in his songs are just awesome.

OK Folks, this is the poet laureate of our generation. Dylan's lyrics are more meaningful though for some (moby dick) more inconprehensible than virtually any other's. Ask virtually anyone out there who's making music today who their influences are, and dylan will be up there. He's been covered by almost everyone from Hendrix to Jerry Garcia to U2, to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. His lyrics mean something different each time you hear them. There should be meat in music, and believe me, there's lotsa meat here!

It doesn't take genius folks, to ramble about the one or two thoughts that are occurring to you while you are "trippin." Dylan's lyrics, when identifiable, are mindless drivvel. The lyrics are not driven by ideas, but rather - the little idiocies that are only meaningful when you are high. Give weed rave reviews if you want, but don't confuse an average pot-head with a true artist. There are great artists who deliver their message without drugs. They are able to do this because they are honest and courageous.

BOB DYLAN...THE COMMON MAN...ONE OF GODS ANGELS SENT HERE TO LET US KNOW THAT ITS OK.SIT BACK AND LISTEN TO "LAST THOUGHTS ON WOODY GUTHRIE"AND HE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE OTHER SIDE..LONG LIVE DYLAN..

Bob Dylan is great...the guy has been around forever, so he has a lot of credibility to go on. To those of you who say he can't sing, what's up with that? He has a very unique voice, and I for one really dig it. He isn't the studio magic that your bubblegum pop stars of today are (they can't sing in real life, folks). And ya gotta admit, Bob's cool as hell! Did you see him perform at the Oscars? He looked like he had just come from hitting his bong...any 50+-year-old who still tokes is cool in my book.

I don't even have to make any comments. It's Bob Dylan, for goodness' sake.

greatest songwriter to ever live

Poetic and brilliant. I think the man should be knighted or something!

Who ever told this guy that he could sing must have been higher than the Empire State Building.

Very,very hip dude.

I love Bob Dylan so much that I named my son after him. DYLAN!!!

A lyrical genius! The great far outweighs the bad. Blonde On Blonde, Bringing It All Back Home, Blood On The Tracks, Time Out Of Mind, Highway 61 Revisited...if those records do nothing for you, then you might want to call 411 and ask them where you left your soul. Bob Dylan was a horrible singer. Hell, I'm not the best vocalist myself. But I understand what Bob clearly knew. If the lyrics are strong enough, then all you need is honesty and emotion coming through. The only people who rival him when it comes to lyrics are Townes Van Zandt & Elvis Costello.

When the rooster crows at the break of dawn look out your window and Bob will be gone. Don't think twice Bob is alright. I don't know much about history, literature, poetry, science, but listening to Dylan kinda makes me want to learn something about everything. I am just glad that we all still have him on earth. Thanks God.

His songs are great!! Well...I've only heard one and that's Brown Eyed Girl and that's all I need to hear I love it!! And well...I suppose his voice could use a little work but his song writing talent totally makes up for the fact that he sounds like a dying cow!!!

I've always love the man and his music. Saw him last year for the first time.He was great, people of all ages stood the whole time calling his name just like he was a friend. Cann't wait untill we see him again. He is the best.

Bob Dylan wore the emotions of his generation on his sleeve. The mid 60's were a dangerous time to do so. He is not just a musical genious but a hero to all those who were unable to speak out.

Bob Dylan TOP 20 give me a freakin break!!!

Sounds like a big ugly tom cat in heat.

He was a good songwriter, but God Almighty, he is the worst singer in the history of the world.

Where would music be today if there was no Bob Dylan. It's all in the lyrics

There are not enough stars to rate this man. Sent by God to give reassurance to his children and hope in a world that offers only falshood. This man is true to himself and people who listen and admire his message know it, but the shallow minded feel intimidated and laugh at what they don't understand. Bob , the good Lord sent me to you, and I love you and pray that others do to.

The most godlike of all performers. More than an artist. An american icon on par with Steven Foster or Mark Twain in historic propotion and the legacy he has built.