Bob Dylan to Discuss Modern Songwriting in New Book

Kathryn Milewski -

Bob Dylan is teaching readers the craft of songwriting. To be published by Simon & Schuster, his new book is titled The Philosophy of Modern Song. It will dive into Dylan's tips for creating music, and is set for publication on November 8, 2022.

Dylan began writing the book in 2010. It features more than 60 essays focusing on songs by other artists, including Stephen Foster, Elvis Costello, Nina Simone, and Hank Williams. According to a press release, Dylan “analyzes the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal.”

Also included throughout the book are 150 curated photos and a series of riffs that, taken together, resemble a poem. Additionally, an audiobook will be available for fans, with Dylan reading some portions and “a mix of other voices” narrating the remaining parts.

“The publication of Bob Dylan’s kaleidoscopically brilliant work will be an international celebration of songs by one of the greatest artists of our time,” said Jonathan Karp, president and chief executive officer of Simon & Schuster. “The Philosophy of Modern Song could only have been written by Bob Dylan. His voice is unique, and his work conveys his deep appreciation and understanding of songs, the people who bring those songs to life, and what songs mean to all of us.”

The Philosophy of Modern Song is Dylan's newest book since Dylan’s Chronicles, Volume One, which was published in 2004. Since then, Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. You can pre-order your copy of Dylan's new book here.

See the book's cover below.


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Article Image: Bob Dylan performing at a concert in Beijing in 2011. (ChinaImages via DepositPhotos.)