Tags:
Journalism of Courage
If Bob Dylan discovered anew an old cause,and decided to permit the use of his iconic Blowin in the Wind for a TV commercial,some would cry murder and some would cry hallelujah! The rest would feign indifference. Meanwhile,this song of a million histories and myriad associations gets tuned to advertise the British Co-operative group that runs financial,funeral,legal and travel services,and supermarkets,too. Dylan is said to have flashed the green light because the groups green and ethical business practices struck a chord or two in him.
The song was the 60s signature tune,the anthem of the Civil Rights and anti-war movements. Since then,it has provided the soundtrack to protest,especially by the Left,for any cause grave or fancy. But for Dylan,the song,this time with his permission,is re-identifying itself formally with a worldview that of fair trade and social responsibility in the midst of the economic crisis. Yes,theres fear in the example of Michael Jacksons grip on Beatles works and the use thereby of Revolution to sell Nike. But Dylans song has already been appropriated by too many,in too many lands,with too much intent.
And heres what Charles Geisst,author of Wall Street: A History,told The Times of London recently about the bankers who got it wrong,Bob Dylan said it best You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. These guys dont have a weatherman between them. But if the bard warns,he also holds out hope what else was the purpose of the title line in the songs lament?
