Cheryl J
archillesThe Times Really Are A-Changin’
The Pulitzer Prize is synonymous with greatness. Regarded as the highest highest national honour in print journalism, literary achievements and musical composition in America, it has had many great talents listed among its winners. This year the Pulitzer board awarded Bob Dylan a Special Citation for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power”.
Bob Dylan has always been the reluctant star. After blowing off the title spokesman of a generation in a 60 Minutes interview a couple of years ago, this must make the notoriously publicity shy Dylan uneasy. Love him or loathe him there is no denying the impact he has had made in his five decade long music career.
Dylan has been honoured with many awards over the years, including Grammys, Golden Globes and an Oscar for Best Original Song among others. He has been inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has even been nominated, more than once, for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
In Dylan’s early career the singer / songwriter had much of his music labelled as protest songs with poetic lyrics about much of the social and political themes of the times. But he was never comfortable with the label of poet and felt that he had been somewhat hijacked by the folk and protest movements. His music styles have constantly changed and evolved during his career, he has moved between acoustic folk and blues to electric guitar driven rock & roll to country. But through this he never really strayed to far away from social commentary.
Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzers said that since 2004 the Pulitzers have reached beyond the field of classical music, amending the criteria for its music prize and using its special citations to honour the likes of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. Of Bob Dylan he said “There’s a history there, and a lot of deliberation and effort to figure out who would be truly worthy.” And worthy he is. With classic songs such as The Times They Are A-Changing , Like a Rolling Stone, Mr Tambourine Man, Blowin’ In The Wind and Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door Dylan has influenced many since his career began in the early sixties.
This award is yet another feather in the cap of a man whose music has crossed generations and meant so much to so many. Regardless, it has stirred up controversy with some saying that the award doesn’t really fit if it is given in its traditional spirit as a recognition of writing or composition. The Pulitzer Board obviously disagrees. Although with his history at awards ceremonies, disinterest in mainstream approval and his prickly personality, it will be interesting to see if he turns up to the Pulitzer luncheon in New York on May 29, and if he does, hear what he might have to say.
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Great post. I love me some Dylan!
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