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An anonymous source <102650.1043@CompuServe.COM> writes:The original classic (but now out of print) taking such an approach to Dylan's lyrics was:
_Song and Dance Man_ by Michael Gray
New York: E. P. Dutton, Nov 1972 336 p.
ISBN: 052520685-X
Also London: Hart-Davis, MacGibbon, 1972 337 p.
London: Abacus, 1973
London: Hamlyn, 1981 (rev & updated)
New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981 236 p.
John Herdman followed up on Gray's approach, analyzing lyrics through
the Saved album, in:
_Voice Without Restraint: Bob Dylan's Lyrics and Their Background_ New York: Delilah Books, 1982 164 p. ISBN: 0-933328-18-4 (pbk) LCCN: 81-69870 Edinburgh, Scotland: Paul Harris Publishing, 1982 ISBN: 0-86228-019-2 (cased) 0-86228-037-0 (pbk)In more modern times, we should not omit one from our own:
_Alias Bob Dylan_ by Stephen Scobie Red Deer, Alberta, Canada: Red Deer College Press, 1991 192 p. ISBN: 0-88995-069-5 LCCN: 91-188326 /MNAnd even more recently:
_Bob Dylan's Words: A Critical Dictionary and Commentary_
by Richard Wissolik and Scott McGrath.
Greensburg, PA: Eadmer Press, 1994 Vol 1 ISBN: 0-929914-11-2 (hb)
Greensburg, PA: Eadmer Press, 1995 Electronic edition ISBN: 0-929914-17-1
LCCN: 95-5048
[An analysis of 800 terms in every Dylan song between 1962-1985, as well
as _Tarantula_.]
There are many other books that address this topic for specific albums,
but the above take a broad approach to his output. There have also
been a number of recent articles in On The Tracks (Issues #5-7) by our
own Andrew Muir taking this approach.
As for historical figures, you might want to look up the ones you're interested in at the EDLIS Who's Who maintained online by Karl Erik Andersen at http://bob.nbr.no/dok/who/who.html .
Finally, as long as we're on the subject of lyric analysis, perhaps we're obligated to mention A. J. Weberman, who claims to have developed the first Dylan concordance on computer, as well as his "Dylanological Method" of lyric analysis. A starting point for this would be his recent article in On The Tracks Issue #6 (which ends with his asking Dylan for forgiveness!) or the interview of him in Issue #5. For an example of his early work, dig up the Jul-Aug 1968 Broadside Magazine for his John Wesley Harding album review. Anyone with a family history of addictive personalities is advised to steer clear of the Weberman approach. And if Dylan offers you a job as his chauffeur, take it!!
Ron Chester
EDLIS Bibliographical Agent
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Last updated: 12/20/96