6. Ballad In Plain D (Bob Dylan, 1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405A1VCAj10 Unlike most of the other songs listed in this ranking, this acoustic folk piece is about a real femme fatale whose identity has been made clear. Bob Dylan went to great lengths to insult her ex-girlfriend Suze Rotolos sister in the musical retelling of their breakup. The manipulative, heinous and disagreeable sister, Carla Rotolo, is the bulls eye for Dylans tranquil but bitter lyrics. It may just be me, but Dylans sandpaper voice and delicacy with words makes one want to be put to shame with as much style. Dear Dylan, will you write a song about me? You can scorn and denigrate me, just do it with pretty rhymes and that philosophical tone of yours. But in the case of this song, Carla, (referred to in the song as a parasite for whom Dylan had no respect) was not flattered and Dylan himself admitted years later that he regretted writing this hateful song. Atta boy. The tragic figure her sister did shout, Leave her alone, God damn you, get out And I in my armor, turning about/And nailing her in the ruins of her pettiness.
Guest Writer
This article was written by a Guest author. If you would like to become a regular contributor on WhatCulture, please submit an application.
See more from
Guest