Bob Dylan Announces The Philosophy of Modern Song, His First New Book in 18 Years
Photo by John Shearer
On Nov. 8, Simon & Schuster will publish The Philosophy of Modern Song, Bob Dylan’s first book of new writing since his bestselling 2004 memoir Chronicles, Volume One. In the works since 2010, the book is “a master class on the art and craft of songwriting” that collects more than 60 essays about songs by other artists, including Stephen Foster, Elvis Costello, Hank Williams and Nina Simone. Also included in the book are “nearly 150 carefully curated photos as well as a series of dream-like riffs that, taken together, resemble an epic poem,” per a press release.
Said release adds of The Philosophy of Modern Song:
[Dylan] analyzes what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal. These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on the human condition.
