Bob Dylan's Pronouns (Bob Dylan Hotline #9)
Summary
Hosts Laura Tenchert and Rebecca Sleiman analyze Bob Dylan’s strategic use of pronouns to create narrative distance and protect his identity. They discuss how shifting between "I," "you," and "they" in songs like "Tangled Up in Blue" allows for autobiographical ambiguity and emotional deflection. The episode also explores the "Bob Dylan" persona as a separate entity from the man, referencing Joni Mitchell’s observations on lyrical self-protection.
Topics discussed
Intro: Bootleg merch and podcast welcome
Listener question on Bob Dylan's pronoun usage
Gender fluidity in 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues'
Pronoun shifts in 'Tangled Up in Blue'
Joni Mitchell's perspective on Dylan's 'you'
The 'you' as a tool for plausible deniability
Dylan's persona vs. the real person
Advice songs: 'Don't Think Twice' and 'To Ramona'
Analysis of 'Like a Rolling Stone' and Edie Sedgwick
Confusing pronouns in 'Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat'
The use of 'we' in Dylan's lyrics
The vague 'they' in 'Clean Cut Kid' and 'Murder Most Foul'
Conspiracy theories and societal blame in 'Murder Most Foul'
Dylan fans as conspiracy theorists
Outro and Patreon acknowledgments
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