Bob Dylan Reveals His Favorite Songwriters (SLIDESHOW)

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Bob Dylan recently sat down with rock critic and MTV producer Bill Flanagan for a rare and unusually candid conversation. In an exclusive portion of the interview published by the Huffington Post, Dylan discussed some his favorite songwriters.

To read more of Bob Dylan's conversation with Bill Flanagan on which this slideshow is based, here.

Comments

[Ron Talley]

Dylan is absolutely unique. The greatest poet/songwriter of the twentieth century and of this one as well, so far. But I don't expect any to come along who will fill his shoes.

[boyer37212]

A great Buffett/Dy­lan/Nashvi­lle story:

Years ago, Dylan went to Jimmy Buffett's house South of Nashville for a party -- sort of an "urban country" area (not much for miles in any direction except farms. cows and country homes). Buffett had a beautiful house on The Harpeth River. Dylan decided to leave. He was offered a ride but refused. An hour later he returned because he couldn't find a cab (the nearest cab was probably fifteen miles away). Dylan just headed out down a narrow country road that followed the Harpeth.

BTW:
As a resident of Nashville, I've seen been lucky enough to John Prine walk into a small club at mignight, hang out a bit, then get on-stage and play a few songs. I've seen Guy Clark do the same.

[BoboPalinski]

I know Dylan always spoke highly of Barry Manilow.

[DuckPhup]

Hmmm... Jackson Browne?

[genia]

I've got objections and agreements with his list...but how oh how could he have left out Neil Young? ..or Carol King...Joni Mitchell ?

[Jeff Smithpeters]

Dylan has a show on satellite radio, doesn't he? I think it's called theme time radio. He gets to advocate for his favorite songwriters every week on that.

[whiteboyblues]

What? No Alan Lomax or Woody Guthrie?

[Hayduke1969]

I was thinking the same thing. You listen to his early stuff especially, and the Woody Guthrie influence is so strong. But who would ever expect Bob to state the obvious.

[jonolennon]

I'm sorry, did I miss his adoration for Lennon and McCartney?

[AbbieHoffman2]

My homey, Bob must have been looking in my vinyl collection. ALL these guys are my favorites also. How validating

[VivaZapata]

so many people wished he'd referenced other songwriters but i think his intent here was to give deserving but lately ignored writers a boost. he recognizes their enduring value, but they haven't been able to add to their popularity, except for jimmy buffett, as time wends its way. furthermore, i'm sure he didn't mean to exclude lots of writers; he was talking off the top....

[shockmagog]

Guy Clark's "Texas Cookin'" is one of the greatest records ever made.

[ARonHenry]

I would have asked him about different songwriters specificly. What about: Springsteen, Costello, Neil Young, Lennon, Jaggar/Richards, Ray Davies, Arthur Lee, Jim Morrison, John Doe & Exene, Chrissy Hydne? I would have asked him about Connor Oberst. Bob, what about Connor? I think his song Saualito on his latest record is a most concise and perfect song, sorta like Dylan's All Along The Watchtower. Perfection. Wondering what Dylan thinks of these and others. Someone should ask. Very glad he mention the vastly underrated John Prine. Anyway, keep on going as long as possible Bob. You're a national treasue and have helped make my life worth living.

[liz09]

no women songwriters, bob? two words...joni mitchell.

[rektruax]

Yeah! No black or asian ones either... Oh wait, this was his interview not yours or mine.

[preemptivelove]

yeah, HIS favorites. sheesh, liz. simmer down.

[AriannaFan2]

I think it is just interesting to see who are his favorites...I mean, this isn't politics y'all, it's just musical taste. I am so glad he mentioned Randy Newman....I agree that most people don't realize that, " His style is deceiving. He's so laid back that you kind of forget he's saying important things." He is totally amazing, and I had forgotten that.

[TovSquirrel]

Ditto for Warren Zevon.

[MerhabaAbi]

I kinda thought Frank Zappa was going to be mentioned.

[dds1488]

So happy to see him mention Guy Clark. Amazing songwriter and great person. Ive listened to him for most of my life.