The American Spectator

TAS ‘s news coverage with in depth editorials is better than any headline news. br> — David Shoup br> Athens, Tennessee /p> p> A HURRICANE DEFENSE br> Re: William Tucker’s Unlike a Rolling Stone : /p>

Wow!!! It takes some audacity to so casually attack the man who is almost unanimously considered the greatest song writer of all time. Not surprisingly, William Tucker’s criticism of “Like a Rolling Stone” as the greatest song of all time is extremely inadequate. In his argument, he makes some very hazy, confused, and contradictory points that could only come from someone who is extremely unfamiliar with Dylan’s songs. There is a bit of merit to the argument that a song sung by a more mainstream, popularly successful artist should have been represented as number one. This is Tucker’s only reasonable point, however.

“Like a Rolling Stone” is a lyrically rich song. However, Tucker is content to attack an artist who has written books and over 500 extremely diverse songs, based solely on the chorus of “Like a Rolling Stone” and a few lines from “Positively Fourth Street.” Nobody even vaguely familiar with Dylan’s works would suggest that they are not complex, lyrical, rich, and allusive. Indeed, one should be downright insulted by Tucker’s feeble attempt at straw-man deconstructionism.

What is even more bothersome about the article, however, is its irreconcilable contradictions, and downright absurd contentions. Dylan either is a formidable songwriter, whose works others would do well to imitate (as Tucker writes), or he is a simplistic ranter. Similarly, the idea that popular success should weigh so heavily in the decision making process that “Stayin’ Alive” has a better claim to number one than Dylan’s most famous song is laughable. Tucker consistently compares Dylan’s work unfavorably with some of the most mindless pop or rock & roll songs.

The fact that Dylan didn’t even write “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” illustrates Tucker’s inexcusable ignorance of Dylan’s work. I would be surprised if Tucker has actually even heard Dylan’s brilliant recordings of his own songs “Mr. Tambourine Man” (shortened by two versus by The Byrds in their more popular version) and “Blowin’ In the Wind” (not “Blowing,” by the way). Assuredly, his voice in itself invariably offers a brilliant dramatic interpretation that no pop coverers can match.

p>Tucker should leave musical criticism to the professionals, and “know his song well before he starts singing.” br> — Erik Mears /p> p> REFORM THIS br> Re: Shawn Macomber’s Mr. Caesar Goes to Washington : /p> p>If no income/payroll tax — how would you collect Social Security? br> — Dean L. Martin /p>