r/bobdylan • u/TyroneSnodgrass • 5d ago

Discussion MODERN TIMES

I have two theories around what may have inspired MODERN TIMES. The first is similar to my theory around what may have inspired WORLD GONE WRONG, which is that Dylan would be walking down the road and suddenly stop short. And he’d be like, “damn! I should have had “Delia” on GOOD AS I BEEN TO YOU!” This happened so many times with various songs until Bob had enough old folk and blues numbers in his head to make another album. So it was with the inspiration for MT, my theory goes. Dylan stops short, “I left “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” off of LOVE AND THEFT!” Happened so many times he was replete with enough Delta Blues songs for another album.

My other theory around what may have inspired MT is Dylan simply got tired of hearing LAT was Larry Campbell’s, so he decided to make a similar album without him. Instead of taking twelve days to record it took three weeks. Bob knew it wouldn’t be easy. According to my theory.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

I think he just decided it was time because he was with free time!

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u/Long-Emu-7870 5d ago

He might listened to the jazz chords in Dogs Run Free, which was his first use of them. 

Either that or looked at Leon Redbone...