The least he could do, if he doesn't want the prize, is to release a statement through his manager, saying something like "Thank you, but I cannot accept this honor." Is that so hard? Actually, I'm surprised the Nobel committee haven't been able to at least contact Dylan's manager.
I am not a stakeholder in Dylan getting or not getting the award, so at the end of the day my opinion is irrelevant. He's the one it affects, so it's his choice. Freedom of speech only really works when we acknowledge the right for everyone to speak (like in giving him an award) but also acknowledge everyone's right to decide someone else's speech isn't worthy of a response.
One of the Nobel committee said it is impolite and arrogant.
There was a funny reply to Mr. Wastberg’s (Nobel committee) comment mentioned on various news sites.
Quote: Although Dylan has not commented publicly on winning the Nobel prize, privacy and the price of fame have been themes in his music. It’s easy to read a response to Wastberg’s remarks in the 1981 song, “The Groom’s Still Waiting at The Altar.’ “Try to be pure at heart, they arrest you for robbery”, part of the lyrics say. “Mistake your shyness for aloofness, your silence for snobbery”
Is it civil to reply when the committee never ask beforehand if he would accept?
IMHO,I believe he is not responding since the populous had already agreed with his writing through their wallets and find the Nobel committee pompous thinking everyone will be wanting the award with open arms handed down to them as if they are the only authority that can define great art.
He never asked to be evaluated by the committee so he has no obligation moral or otherwise to respond.
most literature nobel laureates are already famous writers, and were probably dreaming about receiving the award before they ever got it. this is obviously not the case of bob dylan. he's probably still in shock, poor guy.
I sincerely think he is just being "Bob Dylan"...it's typical of him to thumb his nose at the establishment! Good on him. He knows it's all pompous show...something his lyrics talk against...what did they expect? Even Mother Theresa although she accepted the award, she didn't attend the grand banquet.
It's fine, he didn't seek it, he can take his time responding to it or not at all, he doesn't owe anyone anything. Though obviously it might make him look more polite if her says something eventually.
"He's completely unmatched as a songwriter, a hell of a singer...."
Joni Mitchell (and many other real troubadours) disagree.
“I like a lot of Bob’s songs, though musically he’s not very gifted. He’s borrowed his voice from old hillbillies. He’s got a lot of borrowed things. He’s not a great guitar player. He’s invented a character to deliver his songs. Sometimes I wish that I could have that character — because you can do things with that character. It’s a mask of sorts.”
Joni Mitchell (and many other real troubadours) disagree.
They disagree because Dylan "went commercial" and made money. They never forgave him for becoming a mainstream success, or stooping to become wealthy, and they never will. None of these other "troubadours" ever reached Dylan's level of success, and if his music wasn't very good, that doesn't say much for their own work.
Haha this is all pretty funny, HELLO OUT THERE B.Dylan is very OFTEN short on talk, so short in fact nothing comes out of his mouth, this is just one of those times!
PS You should have KNOWN this was highly likely he wouldn't respond, DOH!!!
None of these other "troubadours" ever reached Dylan's level of success, and if his music wasn't very good, that doesn't say much for their own work.
If commercial success equals artistic merit, Justin Bieber should be due for a Nobel soon. Joni Mitchell has it right. Bob Dylan manufactured an alter-ego, borrowed from traditional music and affected an image.
I should say I think Dylan is a great talent and made some great songs. But I think true poets write from the heart and spill their guts. There has always been a wall between Bob Zimmerman and the works he created as Bob Dylan, something manufactured about it all.
You should try listening to the lesser know artists. The ones who really lay it out rarely become megastars, because good art is very personal by nature and doesn't appeal to everyone. And part of the ethos of roots music is that it be genuine. That's what separates it from Broadway show tunes.
He has a long history of playing the inscrutable sage while complaining about being idolized as an inscrutable sage. So this is just par for the course.
If commercial success equals artistic merit, Justin Bieber should be due for a Nobel soon. Joni Mitchell has it right. Bob Dylan manufactured an alter-ego, borrowed from traditional music and affected an image.
Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, etc. all borrowed from others, particularly from my uncle, whom many consider the father of folk music. They all affected their own images, and marketed themselves in their own way. But their music and lyrics (though wonderful) did not strike a chord with the public as Dylan's did. Dylan has never cared a rat's backside about what other people think of him or his music, as far as he is concerned, they can take it or leave it.
And don't discount Bieber getting a Nobel prize, considering the types of people who already have it.
Go on then, sangetsu; the suspense is killing me. Who's your uncle- Woody Guthrie? If I'm right do I get a prize? (I'll have the Nobel if Bob don't want it; worth a few "bob" on ebay, I'll bet!)
And, apropos nothing, my wife and daughter went to see the Bieber last night and said he was brill !!!
Sure they all borrowed. But some of them add a very personal touch. Bob Dylan doesn't. He keep his personal feelings to himself, and his music is more consciously construed. Sure he has had great commercial success, but that's a poor measure of quality. Which, again, is not to slight Dylan's achievements. Just questioning whether he was so superior as to warrant a Nobel Prize. Joni Mitchell was far more interesting musically, for example. But the wider public doesn't really like interesting music.
Folk musicians from way back simply stole and reinterpreted traditional songs - except it wasn't considered stealing then. It was a shared culture. What set them apart, aside from the basic skills, was how much the listener could hear their heart in the music.
43 Comments
Login to comment
JeffLee
He has a way with words, is a pretty good songwriter, but he's not much of a musician. I never like him or his attitude, so I'm not surprised.
Strangerland
I think he has every right to ignore it altogether if that's what he wants. He never asked for it, and obviously no one asked him if he wanted it.
I also wonder however if maybe he's just sick, and can't respond.
turbotsat
He's not a politician. Maybe he has a sense of shame, unlike a couple of recipients not too distant.
Awarded the Literature prize for his lyrics?
Couldn't they have awarded him the Laureate, for poetry?
smartacus
The least he could do, if he doesn't want the prize, is to release a statement through his manager, saying something like "Thank you, but I cannot accept this honor." Is that so hard? Actually, I'm surprised the Nobel committee haven't been able to at least contact Dylan's manager.
Strangerland
He's already doing the least he could do.
I don't see why people think he should be under any obligation to do any more than this.
Sabrage
One of the Nobel committee said it is impolite and arrogant.
The irony. But maybe this is more of Dylan's poetry - a silent message.
commanteer
Bob is the definition of cool. Good for him. The Nobel fanboys deserve to have their noses rubbed in it.
Jimizo
He obviously didn't ask for the award and he's under no obligation, but just say yes or no. It's not hard. It's just being civil.
katsu78
I am not a stakeholder in Dylan getting or not getting the award, so at the end of the day my opinion is irrelevant. He's the one it affects, so it's his choice. Freedom of speech only really works when we acknowledge the right for everyone to speak (like in giving him an award) but also acknowledge everyone's right to decide someone else's speech isn't worthy of a response.
forzaducati
There was a funny reply to Mr. Wastberg’s (Nobel committee) comment mentioned on various news sites. Quote: Although Dylan has not commented publicly on winning the Nobel prize, privacy and the price of fame have been themes in his music. It’s easy to read a response to Wastberg’s remarks in the 1981 song, “The Groom’s Still Waiting at The Altar.’ “Try to be pure at heart, they arrest you for robbery”, part of the lyrics say. “Mistake your shyness for aloofness, your silence for snobbery”
Mike L
Dylan never looks back. He won the award but that is now history!
Triring
Is it civil to reply when the committee never ask beforehand if he would accept?
IMHO,I believe he is not responding since the populous had already agreed with his writing through their wallets and find the Nobel committee pompous thinking everyone will be wanting the award with open arms handed down to them as if they are the only authority that can define great art.
He never asked to be evaluated by the committee so he has no obligation moral or otherwise to respond.
inkochi
Up to him.
nath
It's 'cause something is happening here and they don't know what it is...
Rana Sodhi
Egotistical approach!!
Jimizo
"Is it civil to reply when the committee never ask beforehand if he would accept?"
I think so. Just a small matter of manners. It's not a huge inconvenience. Just a quick text would suffice.
I'm a Dylan fan, by the way.
smithinjapan
I'm thinking... who cares? Why would others be angry or offended if he does not outright accept or reject it?
TakahiroDomingo
most literature nobel laureates are already famous writers, and were probably dreaming about receiving the award before they ever got it. this is obviously not the case of bob dylan. he's probably still in shock, poor guy.
fds
its a bit arrogant of the committee to expect someone to thank them for something he didn't ask for.
No Ginger
Good on yer, Bob. Anyway, they shoulda given the Nobel prize to Wonder Woman!
Thunderbird2
Does he have an aversion to Swiss people? If someone gave me a prize like that I'd be dancing about with joy, not being a total arse about it.
commanteer
The Nobel committee is in Sweden, not Switzerland.
elbow room
I sincerely think he is just being "Bob Dylan"...it's typical of him to thumb his nose at the establishment! Good on him. He knows it's all pompous show...something his lyrics talk against...what did they expect? Even Mother Theresa although she accepted the award, she didn't attend the grand banquet.
interuni321
It's fine, he didn't seek it, he can take his time responding to it or not at all, he doesn't owe anyone anything. Though obviously it might make him look more polite if her says something eventually.
Kabukilover
I do not care.
qwertyjapan
Hey, he's like a rolling stone.
TrevorPeace
I've covered several Dylan tunes, and my opinion about this issue is, 'WTFC'?
JeffLee
@wipeout
"He's completely unmatched as a songwriter, a hell of a singer...."
Joni Mitchell (and many other real troubadours) disagree.
“I like a lot of Bob’s songs, though musically he’s not very gifted. He’s borrowed his voice from old hillbillies. He’s got a lot of borrowed things. He’s not a great guitar player. He’s invented a character to deliver his songs. Sometimes I wish that I could have that character — because you can do things with that character. It’s a mask of sorts.”
stormcrow
It Ain't Me Babe,
no, no, noooo,
It Ain't Me Babe,
it ain't me you're lookin' for.
sangetsu03
They disagree because Dylan "went commercial" and made money. They never forgave him for becoming a mainstream success, or stooping to become wealthy, and they never will. None of these other "troubadours" ever reached Dylan's level of success, and if his music wasn't very good, that doesn't say much for their own work.
PerformingMonkey
They made a poor, misguided choice, which is now getting the contempt it deserves.
gokai_wo_maneku
Are we sure that he has been told?
GW
Haha this is all pretty funny, HELLO OUT THERE B.Dylan is very OFTEN short on talk, so short in fact nothing comes out of his mouth, this is just one of those times!
PS You should have KNOWN this was highly likely he wouldn't respond, DOH!!!
commanteer
If commercial success equals artistic merit, Justin Bieber should be due for a Nobel soon. Joni Mitchell has it right. Bob Dylan manufactured an alter-ego, borrowed from traditional music and affected an image.
I should say I think Dylan is a great talent and made some great songs. But I think true poets write from the heart and spill their guts. There has always been a wall between Bob Zimmerman and the works he created as Bob Dylan, something manufactured about it all.
You should try listening to the lesser know artists. The ones who really lay it out rarely become megastars, because good art is very personal by nature and doesn't appeal to everyone. And part of the ethos of roots music is that it be genuine. That's what separates it from Broadway show tunes.
MsDelicious
His shows are terrible. Ego maniac thinks he can play jazz blues and have everyone in awe. Terrible. Do not know why they gave him this award.
Nessie
He has a long history of playing the inscrutable sage while complaining about being idolized as an inscrutable sage. So this is just par for the course.
MsDelicious
Nessie: Agreed. I wrote the same thing.
sangetsu03
Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, etc. all borrowed from others, particularly from my uncle, whom many consider the father of folk music. They all affected their own images, and marketed themselves in their own way. But their music and lyrics (though wonderful) did not strike a chord with the public as Dylan's did. Dylan has never cared a rat's backside about what other people think of him or his music, as far as he is concerned, they can take it or leave it.
And don't discount Bieber getting a Nobel prize, considering the types of people who already have it.
No Ginger
Go on then, sangetsu; the suspense is killing me. Who's your uncle- Woody Guthrie? If I'm right do I get a prize? (I'll have the Nobel if Bob don't want it; worth a few "bob" on ebay, I'll bet!)
And, apropos nothing, my wife and daughter went to see the Bieber last night and said he was brill !!!
commanteer
Sure they all borrowed. But some of them add a very personal touch. Bob Dylan doesn't. He keep his personal feelings to himself, and his music is more consciously construed. Sure he has had great commercial success, but that's a poor measure of quality. Which, again, is not to slight Dylan's achievements. Just questioning whether he was so superior as to warrant a Nobel Prize. Joni Mitchell was far more interesting musically, for example. But the wider public doesn't really like interesting music.
Folk musicians from way back simply stole and reinterpreted traditional songs - except it wasn't considered stealing then. It was a shared culture. What set them apart, aside from the basic skills, was how much the listener could hear their heart in the music.