Instant Commentary Songs and Opinions on Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways
By Jim DeRogatis, Greg Kot
People protesting in the street. Canva
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People protesting in the street. Canva
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Instant Commentary Songs and Opinions on Bob Dylan’s Rough And Rowdy Ways
By Jim DeRogatis, Greg KotSometimes current events inspire urgent art. After George Floyd was killed by police in Minnesota, artists started creating songs to comment on the moment quickly.
This week Jim and Greg share their favorite instant commentary tracks, songs that were published in a hurry in hopes of effecting change.
Plus they review the first Bob Dylan album of new music in eight years and Jim adds a song to the desert island jukebox.
Jim’s Songs About Right Now
- Wyatt Waddell,“Fight!”
- LL Cool J’s freestyle
Greg’s Songs About Right Now
- Ric Wilson, “Fight Like Ida B & Marsha P”
- Nasty C and T.I., “They Don’t”
Jim’s Instant Commentary Classics
- R.E.M., “Final Straw”
- Vic Mensa, “16 Shots”
- Thursday, “War All the Time.”
Greg’s Instant Commentary Classics
- Steve Earle, “John Walker’s Blues”
- Richard Thompson, “Fergus Laing”
- Legendary K.O., “George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People”
Listen on Pocketcasts / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Featured Songs |
| Bob Dylan, “I Contain Multitudes,” I Contain Multitudes, Columbia, 2020 |
| Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Ohio,” Ohio (Single), Atlantic, 1970 |
| Buffalo Springfield, “For What It’s Worth (Stop, Hey What’s That Sound),” For What It’s Worth (Single), Atco, 1966 |
| Wyatt Waddell, “Fight!,” FIGHT! (Single), self-released, 2020 |
| Ric Wilson, “Fight Like Ida B & Marsha P,” Fight Like Ida B & Marsha P (Single), Free Disco / EMPIRE, 2020 |
| LL Cool J, “Freestyle,” Freestyle, not released, 2020 |
| Nasty C & T.I., “They Don’t,” They Don’t (Single), Def Jam, 2020 |
| R.E.M., “Final Straw,” Around the Sun, Warner Bros., 2004 |
| Steve Earle, “John Walker’s Blues,” Jerusalem, E-Squared & Artemis, 2002 |
| Vic Mensa, “16 Shots,” There’s Alot Going On, Roc Nation, 2016 |
| Richard Thompson, “Fergus Laing,” Still, Concord, 2015 |
| Thursday, “War All the Time,” War All the Time, Island, 2003 |
| Legendary K.O., “George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People,” (Single), unreleased, 2005 |
| Bob Dylan, “Only A Pawn In Their Game,” The Times They Are A Changin’, Columbia, 1964 |
| Bob Dylan, “Murder Most Foul,” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Bob Dylan, “Goodbye Jimmy Reed,” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Bob Dylan, “Crossing The Rubicon,” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Bob Dylan, “Key West (Philosopher Pirate),” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Bob Dylan, “I’ve Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You,” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Bob Dylan, “My Own Version of You,” Rough and Rowdy Ways , Columbia, 2020 |
| Romeo Void, “A Girl In Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing),” Instincts, Columbia, 1984 |
| Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine (Live),” Live at Carnegie Hall, Sussex, 1973 |
| Blondie, “Hanging on the Telephone,” Parallel Lines, Chrysalis, 1978 |
| Tori Amos, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Little Earthquakes, Atlantic, 1992 |
| No Doubt, “It’s My Life,” Boom Box, Interscope, 2003 |
| Kill Dozer, “American Pie,” For Ladies Only, Touch And Go, 1989 |
| Andy Shauf, “The Neon Skyline,” Living Room, Anti-, 2020 |