The Times They Have a-Changed: Where is the protest song now?
Jan 27, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Kate Mossman, a senior writer at the New Statesman, and Dorian Lynskey, author of "33 Revolutions Per Minute," delve into the evolution of protest music. They explore Bob Dylan’s controversial shift from folk to rock and its impact on cultural movements. The conversation highlights the emotional depth of protest songs, tracing the roots from Woody Guthrie to contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé. It raises provocative questions about the future of protest music in today's political landscape.
Bob Dylan's transition from folk to rock music disrupted the protest song tradition, prompting questions about the future of political expression in music.
Contemporary protest music has shifted from collective political action to personal narratives, reflecting a fragmented approach to social change today.
Deep dives
Bob Dylan's Transformation and Cultural Impact
The podcast discusses the pivotal moment in Bob Dylan's career when he transitioned from folk to rock music, which was met with significant backlash from the folk community. The biopic 'A Complete Unknown' captures this tumultuous time, focusing on how Dylan's shift affected both his audience and the broader music scene. This change occurred during a period when folk music was synonymous with social protest, particularly regarding civil rights and the Vietnam War. Dylan's decision to abandon this genre raised questions about the evolution of protest music and the sense of betrayal felt by his supporters.
Narrative Structure and Characterization in the Biopic
The film is noted for its unconventional narrative, focusing less on a chronological rise-and-fall story and more on Dylan's complex relationships within the folk scene. Instead of glorifying him, it presents Dylan as a figure whose decisions lead to both admiration and disappointment among his contemporaries, like Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. The performances, particularly Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan, emphasize the reactions of those around him, capturing the intense scrutiny he faced during his rise to fame. The storytelling thus reveals how Dylan’s evolution impacted those who initially saw him as a beacon of hope.
Folk Music's Political Roots and Dylan's Departure
The podcast highlights the political roots of folk music, where figures like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger used their songs to promote social justice and protest against the establishment. It discusses how Dylan's later works diverged from this practice, leading to skepticism about his commitment to political causes. As Dylan moved away from writing protest songs, he shifted the focus from collective movements to individual expression, redefining the role of the artist in society. This change not only altered his musical direction but also impacted the perception of folk music as a vehicle for political expression.
The Evolution of Protest Music and Its Current Landscape
The discussion transitions to the contemporary landscape of protest music, examining how the genre has transformed over the decades since Dylan's heyday. While artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé incorporate political themes into their music, the expectations for protest songs have shifted significantly, with less emphasis on overt political messaging and more on personal narrative. The podcast notes the disconnect between past expectations of songs as agents of change and the current landscape where protest has fragmented into various forms and mediums. This evolution raises questions about the future of protest music and its role in social movements today.
In 1966, to the chagrin of his fans and the folk music community, Bob Dylan went electric. The five years leading up to this moment is the focus of A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan biopic from James Mangold.
This indignation came at a time where folk was the language of protest, from the civil rights movement to the Vietnam war, but when did folk get left behind? What was Dylan’s lasting effect on the protest song?
Tom Gatti is joined by Kate Mossman, senior writer at the New Statesman, and Dorian Lynskey, writer and author of 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs.
You can read more from Kate and Dorian on newstatesman.com.