Nostalgic Music Month Day 9

Bob Dylan- by Jon Hilton

It is hard to find an artist with a broader reach of influence than Robert Allen Zimmerman, aka Bob Dylan. He has been singing and performing since well before I was born and influencing people much older and much younger than myself. His music has been relevant in the turbulent 1960’s all the way to today.  His music has been part of the soundtrack of many movies and has punctuated memories in the lives of millions of people.

My personal connection to Bob Dylan started in the 1980’s, in a time when I was trying to answer some of the key questions of the world. Why are women so hard to figure out? Why are people so mean to each other? Why do older generations seem to not understand or care about youth? What is this life all about?  Many of the answers came from the music of Bob Dylan. At least his songs were a roadmap to start to look for the right answers. There is a flood of nostalgic memories and thoughts that come from hearing the thoughtful words of Bob Dylan.

1. Don’t Think Twice– Relationships end, that is a part of life. Sometimes it’s hard and sometimes it’s a good thing.  This song was the first to state my feelings about when it is good to move forward, leave a relationship behind and it was a good thing. Sometimes people don’t treat us the way we deserve and it is good to move forward. Goodbye is too good a word, babe. So I just say fare thee well, I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind
   You could have done better but I don’t mind. You just kinda wasted my precious time.

2. Shelter from the Storm– In all lives there are storms and these are the times when we are challenged to change and survive. The storm is raging and you feel like a piece of debris. It is that these moments, shelter from the storm is most appreciated. I have been fortunate to find shelter from the storm several times in my life and I am grateful. This song always reminds me of those moments I needed help and got it.  Try imagining a place where it’s always safe and warm. Come in, she said, “I’ll give ya shelter from the storm.”

3.  The Times They Are A Changin’– The words are as true about politics and our country today as they were in the early 60’s.  The generations and misunderstanding. Leadership gets more convoluted, and the divisions in the world become bigger. Until we change and accept each other and our differences we are in trouble.  Come senators, congressmen. Please heed the call. Don’t stand in the doorway. Don’t block up the hall. For he that gets hurt. Will be he who has stalled. There’s a battle outside and it is ragin’. It’ll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. For the times they are a-changin’. 

2. Forever Young– This song is my wish for all the people I have ever cared about in life. I wish you the best and that you are able to stay forever young. To hang on the essence of you, that made you uniquely who you are. The world will try to change you and cover up your abilities. Don’t change to be popular, don’t hide because you’re afraid.  Be brave and be the best version of yourself.  May your hands always be busy. May your feet always be swift. May you have a strong foundation. When the winds of changes shift.

1. Tangled Up In Blue– Bob Dylan took a phrase that meant nothing and supplied it with a story. One that many people could relate to. We have all been tangled up in blue in our life’s narrative at one point or another. Nostalgic music month allows us to look to the past, relationships, regrets, triumphs, and positive things.  The many times that I was tangled up in blue. But all the while I was alone. The past was close behind. I seen a lot of women. But she never escaped my mind. And I just grew. Tangled up in blue.

Honorable mention- Like a Rolling Stone, Hurricane, Gotta Serve Somebody, Subterranean Homesick Blues, A Hard Rains Gonna Fall, Rainy Day Woman #12 + 35, Blowin’ in the Wind, It Ain’t Me Babe, Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

Nirvana by Mike Martin

I like listening to Nirvana. At the time their music became mainstream listening to them made me feel angry and invincible-now it kind of makes me a little scared.

As I’ve mentioned prior, I use music to help educate my children, and playing the ‘grunge” rock sound of Nirvana is the right time to have a discussion about the dangers of heroin, depression, and mental illness.

Nirvana was formed by singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in 1987. Dave Grohl, who later became the front man for the Foo Fighters, joined the band as their drummer in 1990.

They released their second album Nevermind in 1991. The success of the albums first single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” introduced alternative rock music to the masses-a new music sound that was embraced by Generation Xers like myself.

For about a second, Nirvana was the hottest band in the world, but Cobain’s personal demons and battles with drugs lead to a quick and violent end to the band from Aberdeen, Washington.

On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in Seattle, Washington. It was quickly determined that he had killed himself with a shotgun. After reading the lyrics written by the Cobain and the other members of Nirvana, I can’t help but speculate-why did my power go out this morning? It Indigenous Peoples Day for peat’s sake?

And please always- Come As You Are

“Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend, as and old enemy
Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, don’t be late
Take a rest as a friend as and old memoria
Memoria, memoria, memoria, memoria”

And, if that doesn’t work, there is always – Lithium

“I’m so happy because today
I’ve found my friends
They’re in my head”

Please. Party-on folks, and if you have any questions, drop us a line and please partake in #OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth and while you are at it take a trip to Greenville, Maine-I understand the foliage is majestic this time of year!
#OctoberNostalgicMusicMonth #visitGreenville