Bob Dylan first performed "A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall" in 1962, at the peak of the Cold War. This song is best known for exploring the fears that many felt while living under the threat of nuclear war. This is a protest song, and a month after this song was first performed, John F. Kennedy announced the initiation of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Dylan has been quoted saying how "Every line in it is actually the start of a whole new song. But when I wrote it, I thought I wouldn't have enough time alive to write all those songs so I put all I could into this one." The structure of lyrics is based on questions and answers, with each line either posing a new question or answering what is seen all around. The first four paragraphs of this song questions what is going on, and the final paragraph questions what actions should be taken. There are many lines in this song that represent the injustices and the sufferings of many at this time. These include "I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard" to display the outstanding number of deaths as well as "Where the people are many and their hands are all empty" to explain how many do not have the materials and supplies to continuing living.
Sources: http://mariepoetryofsong.blogspot.com/2009/01/song-analysis-hard-rains-gonna-fall.html
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4052
The best things about songs from the 60s is that they have great purposes and interesting morals so I think that this analysis is an interesting idea for a blog!
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting that you are analyzing song lyrics from these two time periods because songs reflect so much of what goes on in society. I think its particularly interesting that you used a quote from Bob Dylan about his song, and I think you should continue looking at what the singers are saying about their songs in addition to the lyrics themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Elana, I really liked reading what Bob Dylan himself had to say about the song, I feel like it brings a new level to the analysis. This blog is a really interesting analysis of famous songs, I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDelete