3 of Bob Dylan’s Favorite Songwriters of All Time

Named the best songwriter of all time by Rolling Stone and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Bob Dylan, is well, Bob Dylan. There isn’t much else you can say about the man. He is the voice of a generation. A man who pushes the confines of time. And a songwriter whose poetry rivals that of the greats. He is—in many’s eyes—the best of all time.

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Despite his deified disposition, the man is human. He knows that folks deserve the same credit that he does, and he realizes that refined songs come from everywhere. Hence, Dylan has been outspoken about what songwriters and their songs he deems to be great. That being said, here are three songwriters who Dylan cherishes.

1. John Prine

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Dylan said Prine’s lyrics were, “pure Proustian existentialism,” and “Midwestern mind trips to the ninth degree.” Verbosely accurate comments, Dylan’s admiration for Prine is seemingly rooted in the deep-seated nature of how they approach writing—from a profound need to reveal the universal truths of the world.

To Dylan, Prine could leave listeners in a paradoxical state of humor and tragedy. Dylan stated, “Nobody but Prine could write stuff like that,” per The Huffington Post. Some of Dylan’s favorite Prine songs include “Sam Stone” and “Lake Marie.”

2. Jimmy Webb

On the cover of Dylan Jones’ book about the song “Wichita Lineman,” Dylan claimed it is “the greatest song ever written.” Written by Jimmy Webb in 1968, “Wichita Lineman” is ever so similar to some of the midwestern folk tales Dylan writes about. Even though Dylan’s appeal resides in the deepest part of his being, we can see why his fondness evokes such a response.

Like his love for “Sam Stone,” Dylan seemingly loves this song because it is taking something forgotten and making it unforgettable. All in all, the admiration stems from Dylan’s desire to make music more than an escape. Rather, a cerebral experience pulling on heartstrings and boosting brain cells.

3. Randy Newman

Best known for his Toy Story track, “You Got A Friend In Me,” Randy Newman is a songwriter whose career has graced the top of the charts and the silver screen. Even though Newman’s quiet demeanor has sidelined him from international fame, he was still able to catch the attention of Dylan. “Now Randy might not go out on stage and knock you out, or knock your socks off… But he’s gonna write a better song than most people who can do it,” Dylan expressed in a 1991 interview with Paul Zollo.

Newman is unapologetically himself. He doesn’t need to put on a show or give the fans superfluous pageantry. This is why Dylan loves him, because it’s about the song, nothing more. Some of Newman’s tracks Dylan admires are “Sail Away,” “Burn Down the Cornfield,” and “Louisiana.” To Dylan, Newman is far more than the guy who just did that one song in Toy Story back in 1995.

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