Bob Dylan and The Beatles were ’60s contemporaries, and consequently, incidental competitors. Despite the grave differences in both their demeanor and style, the two were and are still compared to this day. Even though both parties were competitive, the two still had a whole lot of admiration for one another. Particularly, Bob Dylan, as he praised The Beatles on numerous occasions.
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Dylan has always been incredibly illusive and mysterious, hence, his comments about the group were not blunt and straightforward. Rather, Dylan intricately articulated his perspective and included a bit of an insult in order to conclude with a compliment. Superfluous, yes, but how Dylan verbalized his praises actually pays far more respect than if he were to have been straightforward.
The Beatles Are Not a Rock Band
Bob Dylan’s views on The Beatles are in fact piping hot. However, his comments are not meant to diminish the group’s talents, instead, it’s meant to reveal their sheer and raw musical aptitude. In his book, Dylan on Dylan: Interviews and Encounters, he stated, “English people can’t play rock ‘n’ roll music.” “What the English thing did was, they just proved that you could make money playing the same old kind of music that you used to play … And that’s the truth. That’s not a lie,” Dylan added.
As rude as that comment might seem, it was far from Dylan’s conclusion. Frankly, it was a set-up for what he would say next. “The Beatles are great, but they don’t play rock ‘n’ roll” and “Rock ‘n’ roll is just four beats … an extension of twelve-bar blues.” He continued by uttering, “That’s all it is. Rock ‘n’ roll is a fake kind of attempt at sex.”
Again nothing about this comment overtly screams The Beatles’ praises, but Bob Dylan has never been overt about anything. So, when one analyzes Dylan’s definition of rock ‘n’ roll and then aligns it with his brief compliment about The Beatles, they realize he is paying a massive compliment. In short and according to this comment, Dylan is placing The Beatles above rock ‘n’ roll. And he does so by acknowledging that their music and talents are far more complicated and nuanced than what is described.
Leave it to Dylan to give one heck of a roundabout compliment but his rhetoric in these comments packs far more of a punch than if he were to have been straight to the point. And The Beatles, well, they of course deserve praises that come in all shapes and sizes.
Photo by Harry Scott/Redferns
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