
Dissertations have been written about the meaning of Bob Dylan’s lyrics, but according to MLB.com writer Mike Bauman, the man really only writes about one thing: baseball. While this might initially seem bonkers, keep in mind that the Poet Laureate of Rock does have a thing for America’s national pastime. Baseball was the fourth theme Dylan chose for his radio show on XM radio, “Theme Time Radio Hour,” and in 2004 he toured minor league baseball stadiums with Willie Nelson. Plus, his version of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is absurdly awesome.
Bauman’s piece reveals that “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35,” with it’s refrain, “Everybody must get stoned,” “could easily be Dylan commenting on allegations of widespread amphetamine use in the game.” Meanwhile “Too Much of Nothing” is clearly “a powerful, declarative lyric message that empathizes with the longtime plight of Chicago Cubs fans.” Yes. Once you start with this game, you can’t stop: “The Times They Are A-Changin’?” It’s really an anthem for the era post-Red Sox World Series win.

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- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.