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

Aside from the content not being about the usual Rap music topics; the form, rhyming, rhythm, and singing are fundamentally the same. Listen to it again fresh with that thought in the back of your mind. Discuss this politely with me if you like, this an open question, not a statement of fact. I’d like to hear different opinions.
deadhead1000

Showing 3 responses by larryi

larryi
4,261 posts
 
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.
larryi
4,261 posts
 
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.
larryi
4,261 posts
 
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
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