The Loog Bob Dylan 101 Crash Course for Kids

If you already follow us on Twitter (or, you know, if you don’t live in a bubble), you might be aware that today is Bob Dylan’s 71st birthday. We usually just post a quick message on Twitter or Facebook to celebrate the day great artists were born, link to one of their most representative videos and leave it at that. But Bob, well… we’ll just say that trying to just choose which one of his songs to post fired up a huge debate among the Loog team.

 
In the end we took a vote and went with Like a Rolling Stone, but there are so many other great Dylan songs that it just seemed unfair. And then it came to us… what better way of introducing kids to music than with Bob Dylan? He’s got so many universally known songs that reflect the history and zeitgeist of so many issues in American history that it just seems like a no-brainer.

So, lo and behold, here are the five more songs we at Loog Guitars think are best to introduce kids to the world that is Bob Dylan (most of the videos couldn’t be embedded so we’re linking to them instead – click on the title to view/listen).

Blowin’ in the Wind
This song is actually pretty easy to play on the Loog Guitar – and a great resource for all of life’s most difficult rhetorical questions. If only we could refer this song to our kids when they ask “Where do babies come from?”

The Times They Are A-Changin’
Once a movement’s anthem, The Times They Are A-Changin’ still lives strong because of its poignant message. Yes, everything is stubbornly changing all the time and yes, everything will be ok – if you keep on moving and don’t give up.

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Another classic for those learning to play the guitar. Maybe the darkest of the bunch (so we won’t go too much into the lyrics) but any Dylan without Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door just seems incomplete.

Mr. Tambourine Man
Kids usually love this song and it’s easy to see why. It’s uplifting, repeats the phrase ‘jingle-jangle’ several times and works as a relaxing, optimistic lullaby for people of all ages.

Subterranean Homesick Blues
You say the ’60s, we say Subterranean Homesick Blues. Everything you can imagine about the entire decade can be condensed into these two minutes. Plus, its iconic video was probably one of the first music videos of all times (and the first meme if you take into account all the artists that have referenced it in some way).

That’s basically it. We know, we know, we’re missing a lot of great Dylan songs. But once kids learn to love these they’ll have a great time scavenging through your record collection for the rest You’re also more than welcome to share your own favorite in the comments!

Happy birthday Bob!