Is Bob Dylan’s “visions of Joanne” a rap song?

I can see the resemblance, particularly because Dylan can barely sing.  I think “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” is even more like rap.

No, it's not a rap song. That's singing... to Bob Dylan.

Both are poetry as much as music.

I never thought of Visions being like rap, but, your observation is interesting—like rap, Dylan’s emphasis is on the lyrics/message more than the tune in most of his works.

Not to my ear.  See if you can get it played on a rap/hip-hop station.

Rap/Hip-Hop was virtually unknown when the song was released in 1966. Are you trying to claim that yet another white man discovered rap/hip-hop?

…...yes rdk777 that is exactly what '' deadhead1000 '' was asking on this forum. Go back and re-read his thread inquiry.

On more than one occasion Mr. Dylan has acknowledged the influence on his lyrics of Chuck Berry, particularly "Too Much Monkey Business".

must have worked for Joan…..

As the OP, I was only referring to genre, not race. I have heard that Rap is considered to evolve from the Blues. Bob did not create Rap, Elvis did not create blues. Wendy did not create classical. You may not ever hear Bob’s version of it on a Rap station or playlist, but I would love to hear a version of “visions of Joanna” done by a real rapper. Cross-genre songs can be quite interesting. 

Oh geez,  I don't think deadhead had any racist intentions.  Lighten up people.  There are enough real problems to get huffy about.

I don't think that the blues have much in common with rap.  I think rap is a new art form that developed out of computer technology and the desire of people who can't sing to perform.

Thank you tomcy6 (from the OP). 

Oh, and thank you Larryi -  your comments deepen the discussion I was hoping to have. 

two Harvard graduate i know are working on a synthesis of Shakespeare and rap, what could go wrong ? Deadhead good thread dude ,  keep on truckin…

….please note Audiogoners; my response was a poor attempt
on my part of trying to be being sarcastic as I knew what ;  '' deadhead1000''  was specifically referring to the music and song itself and not about race. I want to make that point clear and also being a big follower of Bob Dylan ; I did listen to that song …..and maybe but in my opinion a little bit of a stretch.   

Not Visions of Johanna but Dylan’s 1965 Subterranean Homesick Blues is often cited as the first rap song.

Here, you can judge for yourself.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MGxjIBEZvx0

I think "Subterranean Homesick Blues" is a good example too of rap-like quality.  It is also noted for its quite early use of a video to accompany the music. 

Speaking of which, I really like Weird Al's version that uses rhyming palindromes.  It makes sense to have the flashcards for the lyrics as visual reminders of how each line is the same read backwards or forwards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUQDzj6R3p4

Give "It's Alright Ma' I'm Only Bleeding" a listen - I think that's about as close to rap as Bob ever achieved...