Bob Dylan Street Legal Songs11 min read
Bob Dylan Street Legal Songs
Street Legal is the eighteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on June 15, 1978. The album was produced by Dylan and Don DeVito.
Street Legal was recorded during an especially prolific period for Dylan, following the release of his gospel album Slow Train Coming and before the more somber, introspective albums that followed, such as 1979’s Saved and 1980’s Shot of Love.
The album was commercially successful, reaching number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The album spawned two singles, “Baby, Stop Crying” and “Is Your Love in Vain?”, both of which reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The album has been generally well-received by critics. In a contemporary review for Rolling Stone, Jon Pareles wrote that Dylan was “still capable of putting together a first-rate album” and that the songs on Street Legal were “full of life and sly humor”.
Pareles praised the album’s gospel-influenced songs, such as “Slow Train” and “Do Right to Me Baby (Do Unto Others)”, and concluded that Street Legal was “one of the better albums of his later period”.
AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the album was “one of Dylan’s better ’70s efforts, perhaps because it’s not as overtly political as some of his other work from the decade”.
He added that the album’s “highlight is the gospel-influenced ‘Slow Train,’ one of the most powerful songs Dylan ever wrote”.
Street Legal has been praised by several music critics as one of Dylan’s best albums from the 1970s.
In his review for Rolling Stone, Jon Pareles called the album “one of the better albums of his later period”.
AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album four out of five stars, stating that it was “one of Dylan’s better ’70s efforts”.
And in a retrospective review for The Guardian, music critic Alexis Petridis rated the album five out of five stars, writing that it was “a masterpiece, one of the greatest albums of all time”.
Petridis praised the album’s “perfect” songwriting and “mesmerising” lyrics, and concluded that “Street Legal is an album that rewards close listening more than any other Dylan album”.
The album’s title track, “Street Legal”, was written by Dylan and Jacques Levy. The song is a cynical look at the music industry, with Dylan singing the lines “What’s a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?”
The song was listed at number 395 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“Baby, Stop Crying” was written by Dylan and Carolyn Dennis, and was released as a single in November 1978.
The song reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Is Your Love in Vain?” was written by Dylan and Robert Hunter, and was released as a single in February 1979.
The song reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The album’s closing track, “Do Right to Me Baby (Do Unto Others)”, was written by Dylan and Levy.
The song is a gospel-influenced song in which Dylan calls for Christians to practice what they preach.
The song was listed at number 395 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Are any Bob Dylan songs public domain?
Are any Bob Dylan songs public domain?
Bob Dylan is an iconic singer-songwriter who has written and performed some of the most well-known songs in popular music history. His songs have been recorded by artists of all genres and his lyrics have been studied and analyzed by fans and musicians alike for decades.
Many of Dylan’s songs were released during the early years of his career when the music industry was under different copyright laws. As a result, it is unclear whether or not all of his songs are currently protected by copyright.
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, which was passed in 1998, extended the copyright protection of sound recordings from 50 to 95 years. This law applied to all songs released before 1978, which includes many of Dylan’s early songs.
However, the law also includes a provision that allows songs to be placed into the public domain if they are not protected by copyright. This means that any songs released before 1978 that are not protected by copyright will enter the public domain and be free for anyone to use, remix, or sample.
It is unclear whether or not Dylan’s early songs fall into this category, and there has been much debate among fans and copyright experts about the issue.
Some experts argue that Dylan’s early songs are not protected by copyright because they were released before 1978 and did not have proper copyright protection at the time. Others argue that the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act protects all songs released before 1978, regardless of when they were released.
Until this issue is officially resolved, it is unclear whether or not any of Dylan’s early songs are in the public domain. However, it is possible that some of his early songs may be available for use without permission from the copyright holder.
Did Bob Dylan plagiarize his songs?
In the music world, there are often debates about who wrote a particular song. Sometimes, one musician will claim that another musician copied their song. This is often a difficult thing to determine, as songs can be inspired by other songs, and may not be completely original.
Bob Dylan is a musician who has been accused of plagiarizing his songs. In some cases, it appears that he may have copied the work of other musicians without giving them credit. In other cases, it is not as clear whether or not Dylan copied someone else’s work.
One of the most famous cases of Dylan plagiarism is the song “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Some people have claimed that Dylan copied the song from the folk song “No More Auction Block.” However, it is not clear whether or not Dylan was aware of this song.
Another case of Dylan plagiarism is the song “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” This song has been accused of being plagiarized from the song “The Ballad of Hollis Brown” by Pete Seeger. Again, it is not clear whether or not Dylan was aware of this song.
Although there have been cases of Dylan plagiarism, it is important to note that he has also been credited with writing some of the most famous songs of all time. He is a highly respected musician, and it is likely that he has not copied the work of other musicians intentionally.
What is Bob Dylans most covered song?
Bob Dylan is a master songwriter who has written dozens of classics over the years. However, one song in particular has been covered more than any other song he has written. That song is “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
The song was first released by Dylan in 1962 and it became an instant hit. Since then, it has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and many more.
The song has a simple but powerful message, and it has become a classic anthem of the peace movement. It has been covered by artists of all genres, and it continues to be one of the most popular songs in the world.
What album is Senor by Bob Dylan on?
Bob Dylan’s album “Senor” is a mix of traditional Mexican folk songs and newly written tracks. It was released in 1998 and features performances by Los Lobos and Jerry Garcia.
The album opens with the traditional song “El Cascabel,” which was popularized by Mexican singer Antonio Aguilar. Dylan’s version is a duet with Los Lobos singer David Hidalgo, and it’s a rollicking, upbeat number that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The next track, “Señor (Tales of Yankee Power),” is a newly written song that was inspired by Garcia’s death. It’s a haunting ballad that deals with the idea of mortality and the transience of life.
Other highlights on the album include the tender ballad “To Ramona” and the lively folk song “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” The album closes with the traditional Mexican song “La Cucaracha,” which is a fun and upbeat number that brings the album to a fitting close.
Overall, “Senor” is a well-crafted album that showcases Dylan’s talent for blending traditional Mexican music with his own unique style. It’s an album that’s sure to please fans of both Bob Dylan and Mexican folk music alike.
Did Bob Dylan sell the rights to his music?
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as it is still somewhat up for debate. Some sources say that Bob Dylan did in fact sell the rights to his music, while others claim that he did not. What is known for certain, however, is that Dylan did enter into a contract with a company called Northern Songs in 1965. This contract gave Northern Songs the rights to Dylan’s music in exchange for a fixed yearly payment.
It is unclear what exactly happened to Northern Songs after it was acquired by the Beatles’ company Apple Corps in 1969. Some say that Dylan’s contract with Northern Songs was voided when the company was bought out, while others maintain that he still owes Northern Songs money. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Dylan did in fact enter into a contract that gave someone else ownership of his music.
Why did Bob Dylan sell his music?
Bob Dylan is a music legend and has been a part of the music industry since the early 1960s. He has written and recorded many iconic songs that have become staples in the music world. However, in 2016, Dylan shocked the music industry by announcing that he was selling his music catalog. So, why did Bob Dylan sell his music?
There are a few possible reasons why Dylan may have decided to sell his music. One reason could be that he was simply ready to move on and wanted to focus on other projects. Another possibility is that he was motivated by money and wanted to make a profit from his music. Finally, it’s also possible that Dylan was unhappy with the way his music was being treated and decided to sell it in order to gain more control over how it was used.
No matter the reason, the decision to sell his music catalog was a big shock to the music world. Dylan has always been known for his independent streak and for refusing to conform to the norms of the music industry. By selling his music, he was essentially turning his back on all that he had built over the past few decades.
While the decision to sell his music was a surprise, it’s ultimately up to Dylan to do what he wants with his music. He has written and recorded countless songs that have become iconic pieces of music history. Regardless of why he decided to sell his music, Dylan will always be considered a music legend.
Who did Dylan rip off?
Bob Dylan is one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, but his music has been the subject of much debate and controversy over the years. Some argue that he is an unparalleled genius, while others claim that he simply stole his music from other artists. So who did Dylan rip off?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as Dylan has been heavily influenced by a wide range of artists throughout his career. However, some of the most commonly cited examples of Dylan’s alleged plagiarism include his song “Blowin’ in the Wind”, which is thought to be based on the traditional song “Lord Randall”, and his album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”, which is said to be heavily influenced by early American folk singers like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.
Critics have also argued that Dylan copied the lyrics of his song “The Times They Are A-Changin'” from the work of the Scottish poet Robert Burns, and that his song “Hurricane” is based on the story of boxer Rubin Carter. In fact, Dylan has been accused of plagiarism so many times that he has even joked about it in his music, such as in the song “My Back Pages” where he sings “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now”.
While there is no doubt that Dylan has been heavily influenced by other artists, it is ultimately up to each individual listener to decide whether or not he has plagiarized their work. Ultimately, Dylan’s music is unique and unmistakably his own, and whether or not you believe that he has borrowed from other artists, his songs will continue to be a source of inspiration for musicians and fans alike.
