5 Best Songs For Open Mic Nights
3. Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan's discography deserves its spot among the greatest music of the 20th century. Across his back catalog, Dylan rewrote the rules as to how an artist could use lyrics to affect change and grabbing the listener by the collar to make them pay attention. Aside from his political and revolutionary material, "Tangled Up in Blue" is probably the most candid song Dylan would ever write.
During the recording of this song and accompanying album, Dylan was going through a strenuous separation from his wife. "Tangled Up in Blue" reflects this turmoil by telling a story of a couple's journey from their meeting to their ensuing love affair. After a while, the pair slowly drift out of each other's lives and the singer convinces himself to find her again.
The structure of this song is incredibly simple by taking a few simple chords and arranging them in a way that feels like a train ride, following this man through his life. This song's use in an open mic setting will work wonders by giving an almost cinematic experience with just a few chords and Dylan's lyrical poetry. Over 40 years later, the song is still traveling on.