Freewheelin' Anniversary
On this day in 1963, Bob Dylan released the iconic "Freewheelin'". So this Music Monday, let's take a look back at some fun facts and history about the album.
1. Sam Cooke was inspired by 'Blowin' in the Wind' to write 'A Change Is Gonna Come'
Cooke was greatly moved that such a poignant song about racism in America could come from someone who was not black, and was also ashamed he had not yet written a song like that himself. However, his image and fears of losing his large white fan base had prevented him from doing so.
After being deeply impressed by the song, Cooke would incorporate it into his repertoire (a version would be included on his album "Sam Cooke at the Copa"). Furthermore, he was inspired by 'Blowin' in the Wind' to write, 'A Change Is Gonna Come' which also became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement.
2. Dylan re-recorded the "Girl From the North Country" as a duet with Johnny Cash
That recording became the opening track on "Nashville Skyline" (1969), Dylan's ninth studio album after originally appearing on "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in 1963.
3. The melody of 'Masters of War' was adapted from the traditional folk song 'Nottamun Town' which led to a legal settlement
As with several of his early songs, Dylan adapted or "borrowed" melodies from traditional songs. In the case of 'Nottamun Town,' the arrangement was by veteran folksinger Jean Ritchie. Unknown to Dylan, the song had been in Ritchie's family for generations, and she wanted a writing credit for her arrangement. In a legal settlement, Dylan's lawyers paid Ritchie $5,000 against any further claims
Dylan's lyrics are a protest against the Cold War nuclear arms build-up of the early 1960s.
4. Furthermore, 'Masters of War' influenced John Lennon's song 'Working Class Hero'.
Lennon's song is remiscient to another Dylan song, 'North Country Blues' ("The Times They Are A-Changin"), which also has a melody similar to Ritchie's 'Nottamun Town'.
5. 'Don't Think Twice It's Alright" was inspired by folksinger Paul Clayton
The beginning of Dylan's melody is based on the public domain traditional song 'Who's Gonna Buy Your Chickens When I'm Gone', which was taught to Dylan by Clayton, who had used it in his song 'Who's Gonna Buy You Ribbons When I'm Gone?' (1960).
Dylan also took a couple of lines of lyrics from Clayton's song, some taken word-for-word or slightly altered.
6. The album's cover photo was recreated by Cameron Crowe for his film "Vanilla Sky"
Other recreations include Todd Haynes for his 2007 Dylan biopic "I'm Not There"and a visual reference for the Coen brothers' 2013 film "Inside Llewyn Davis".
7. The song 'Oxford Town' was composed in response to an open invitation from Broadside magazine
Broadside magazine asked for songs about one of the top news events of 1962: the Ole Miss riot triggered by the enrollment of a black student, James Meredith, in the University of Mississippi on October 1. The lyrics and music from Dylan's song were printed December 1962 in Broadside's issue No. 17.
'Oxford Town' however, does not mention either Meredith or the university by name. Dylan said of the song, "It deals with the Meredith case, but then again it doesn't... I wrote that when it happened, and I could have written that yesterday. It's still the same. 'Somebody better investigate soon' that's a verse in the song."