Bob Dylan: Robert Burns is my biggest inspiration
Bob Dylan's greatest creative inspiration is not Woody Guthrie, Little Richard or Odetta. It's even not Picasso or Cézanne. Instead, Dylan has revealed his greatest inspiration is Scotland's favourite son, the Bard of Ayrshire, the 18th-century poet known to most as Rabbie Burns.
As part of an advertising campaign this year, Dylan was asked to name the lyric or verse that had the greatest impact on his life. Rather than quoting his idol Woody Guthrie or poet Dylan Thomas, from whom it is thought that Robert Zimmerman took his name, Dylan selected A Red, Red Rose, written by Robert Burns in 1794.
"O, my luve's like a red, red rose," the poem begins, "That's newly sprung in June. / O, my luve's like the melodie, / That's sweetly play'd in tune."
The selection was made as part of HMV's My Inspiration campaign. The adverts were launched two years ago with a spot by David Bowie, who chose lyrics written by Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Dylan is the 100th artist to participate, after contributions from the likes of Morrissey, Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and, er, actress Audrey Tautou.
"[Rabbie Burns] was a hugely committed artist who dealt with everyday emotions and big emotions so, in that sense, it's not a surprise he's influenced Dylan," Dr Gerard Carruthers, director of the Centre for Burns Study at the University of Glasgow, told the Glasgow Herald. "I imagine Dylan will still be loved in 200 years as much as Burns is."..
Read entire article at Guardian (UK)
As part of an advertising campaign this year, Dylan was asked to name the lyric or verse that had the greatest impact on his life. Rather than quoting his idol Woody Guthrie or poet Dylan Thomas, from whom it is thought that Robert Zimmerman took his name, Dylan selected A Red, Red Rose, written by Robert Burns in 1794.
"O, my luve's like a red, red rose," the poem begins, "That's newly sprung in June. / O, my luve's like the melodie, / That's sweetly play'd in tune."
The selection was made as part of HMV's My Inspiration campaign. The adverts were launched two years ago with a spot by David Bowie, who chose lyrics written by Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Dylan is the 100th artist to participate, after contributions from the likes of Morrissey, Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and, er, actress Audrey Tautou.
"[Rabbie Burns] was a hugely committed artist who dealt with everyday emotions and big emotions so, in that sense, it's not a surprise he's influenced Dylan," Dr Gerard Carruthers, director of the Centre for Burns Study at the University of Glasgow, told the Glasgow Herald. "I imagine Dylan will still be loved in 200 years as much as Burns is."..