He's influenced everyone fromThe Beatles to Bright Eyes, changed the state of play to electric, hung out with Edie Sedgwick, retained a pinpoint dress sense throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s and on the 24th May, Bob Dylan is set to reach a new landmark - he'll be turning the grand age of 70.
Taking in a wide variety of genres from early political folk, to rock n roll to urm Christmas songs... Dylan has a back catalogue that is unparalleled by perhaps any living artist today. He is arguably the most prolific songwriter, both in terms of imagery and confidence in taking whatever direction he feels like going next.
Dylan makes the rules, he breaks the rules and he rewrites the rules.
To celebrate the Zimmermans 70th we've compiled a short list of what we feel are the top 5 songs by Bob Dylan. The essential tunes. The one's that every person who has ever been interested in music should have on their iPod/iPhone/iPad/thing.
Don't agree? Reply back with your personal top 5, or use the hashtag #top5dylan songs on Twitter so we can follow the tweets.
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
Clocking in at a never long enough 7 minutes, Dylan packs verse after verse with odd characters and situations described with a surreal sense of zany humor. Each of the nine verses introduces a new character with a plethora of witty lyrics ranging from the vast imagery of - 'Shakespeare he's in the ally, with his pointed shoes and his curls, speaking to some French girl, who says she knows me well' - to the tongue in cheek - 'He just smoked my eyelids, and punched my cigarette'.
Where to find it - Blonde on Blonde
Talking World War III Blues
Built on a foundation of great imagination, Talking World War III Blues tells the story of a man left alone in the world after the war. Throughout his dream, the protagonist starts to get lonely, calling up the talking clock, riding a cadillac around town (which is apparently a good car to drive after a war!) before ending with the iconic verse
'Half of the people can be part right all of the time
Some of the people can be alright part of the time
But all of the people can't be alright, all of the time.
I think Abraham Lincoln said that.
I'll let you be in my dream, if I can be in yours
- I said that.'
Where to find it - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Positively 4th Street
Perhaps the greatest song ever written about a backstabbing cretin, Positively 4th Street sees Dylan almost angry, with sharp remarks thrown in all directions - 'I wish that for just one time you could stand inside in my shoes - Then you'd know what a drag it is to see you'. Backed up by a honky tonk organ from the Highway 61 sessions, the song retains the brilliance behind Like A Rolling Stone and warps it into an altogether different, yet still genius, kettle of fish.
Where to find it - Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits
Baby Let Me Follow You Down
This cover of Eric Von Schmidt first featured on Dylan's self titled debut album. After that, the song was adapted for live performances with both 'The Band' and Dylan's own group. Featuring Dylan blasting away on the harmonica the song centers around one simple message 'I'd do anything in this god almighty world, if you'd just let me come home with you'
Where to find it - Bob Dylan
Like A Rolling Stone
No list of songs by Dylan is complete without 'Like A Rolling Stone'. It's rated as No.1 in Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs and for good reason. If you're reading this list - then you know all about it. Complete with a magnitude of verses, Like A Rolling Stone changed the state of play for modern music, influencing Hendrix and others to pick up electric guitars.
Where to find it - Highway 61 Revisited
That's it. Our comprehensive list of the #top5dylan songs.
What are yours?