Key developments
New post examines Dylan's Big River choice
bob-dylan.org.uk published a new 2026-04-11 post examining Bob Dylan's choice of Johnny Cash's 'Big River' in The Philosophy of Modern Song. The essay argues that the opening hovers between E and B7, so the song does not clearly establish E major or E minor until the vocal line enters and the harmony settles more firmly. It also links the track to 'Visions of Johanna' and frames both Dylan and Cash as avoiding obvious musical markers of sadness.
Why it matters
It adds a fresh example of Dylan valuing harmonic ambiguity as a way to convey loss without minor-key clichés.
Sources & driving stories
BOB-DYLAN.ORG.UK
bob-dylan.org.uk coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Opening bars stay harmonically vague
The post says the intro does not clearly establish E major or E minor, which is the essay's main musical observation.
WORTH NOTING
Dylan called it a masterclass
The article says Dylan described 'Big River' as a masterclass in songwriting, underscoring why the track is treated as a model of craft.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
How many other selections fit this lens?
The post suggests Dylan prizes songs that express sorrow without conventional minor-key writing, but it is unclear how broadly that principle applies across The Philosophy of Modern Song.
OPEN QUESTION
Was harmony the main reason for the choice?
The essay ties the selection to both lyrics and chord movement, leaving open whether Dylan valued 'Big River' more for its musical structure or its emotional tone.