Photo by Don Hunstein.
Blowin’ In the Wind by Bob Dylan:
How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must the cannon balls fly before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can a mountain exist before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Yes, ‘n’ how many times must a man look up before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows that too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
This song was released on his 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. There’s not much that can be said about this song that hasn’t been said already. During the time of the songs’ release, Dylan was heavily involved in the civil rights movement. Thus, this song talks about the issues they were protesting. This song was my introduction to Bob Dylan. Blowin’ In the Wind holds a special place in my heart as it sparked my love for Bob’s music. Bob asks rhetorical questions to make the point of the issues in this world. He creates this dramatic effect to make a statement rather than getting an answer in return, even if we know the answer already or if there is no answer at all. He was labeled “the voice of the generation” after this song. He laughed and rolled his eyes at this label, as these concepts were not new to the world and the solutions should be obvious. Of course, the “answers” to these questions are subjective. Personally, I feel a connection to this song as I agree with Bob’s point of view. I believe that people of all races can relate to this song in one way or another. This song would spark a great conversation in Asian American Pop Culture.
By Bob Dylan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMFj8uDubsE
I also recommend the covers:
By Joan Biez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFvkhzkS4bw
By Peter, Paul and Mary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI
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