“The lyrics fit the surreal style of the era, while being scathing of society and authority.” ~Wikipedia
In September 2009 I explored the question of whether Salvador Dali was madman or genius. What brought this to mind was the Wiki statement above which I came across while looking for additional insights on Dylan’s Tombstone Blues.
While I disagree with the statement as regards fitting “the surreal style of the era,” I totally agree that many of Dylan’s songs of the period were surreal, and therefore can be compared to Dali.
First, let’s correct the word “fit.” The surrealism injected into rock and pop music of the Sixties most likely emerged as a result of Dylan. He wasn’t fitting into it. He preceded it. He instigated it. At this point in time, the summer of 1965, it did not yet exist. The Beatles were still recording Help.
But this blog note is more concerned with the comparison between Dylan and Dali.
There are tens of thousands of artists, but very few who become household names, and even fewer who have done it during their lifetimes while still above the sod. Picasso, Dali and Warhol are certainly on the…
