Dylan No Longer Illin', Will Play For Pope

When Bob Dylan sang "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," he never realized just how close to it he'd come. On Sept. 27, the '60s folk-rock icon, who is currently touring the States with Ani DiFranco and BR-549, will perform at a Catholic Eucharist Congress in Bologna, Italy.

Although Dylan will play to a crowd of young people at the religious conference, the biggest name that will listen to the ole folkie jam tunes like "Blowin' In the Wind" and "Tangled Up In Blue" will be none other than Pope John Paul II himself.

The pontiff is set to spend close to 90 minutes at the conference, which he will close with a speech to the crowd. "This will not simply be a concert, but an occasion for the pope to meet young people," said Monsignor Ernesto Vecchi, head of the organizational committee.

Dylan's performance will precede the pope's speech and he shares the bill with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Italian pop singer Lucio Dalla.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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