An opinion essay in four parts, by Gerard Regan, Connelly Library, La Salle University

Part IV

With Dylan’s influence, popular lyricism moved from the Beatles penning “Love, love me do” on their first album to “Words are flowing out like/ Endless rain into a paper cup” on their last. Bob Dylan might have single-handedly wrested poetry from the stale, dusty page and brought it back to life using the electric amplifier of rock n’ roll. Without Dylan perhaps that “lady we all know” would never have bought that “Stairway to Heaven,” nothing would have ever “Smell(ed) like Teen Spirit” and rock music would have only ever been about fast cars, faster women and blue suede shoes.