Bob Dylan

Singer-songwriter, Nobel laureate

Contemporary influential 128 sayings

Sayings by Bob Dylan

I don't think I'm a genius. I think I'm a medium.

c. 1960s — Interview, expressing his role as a channel for songs.
Humorous Unverifiable

The only thing I ever did was the thing I wanted to do.

c. 1970s — Interview.
Humorous Unverifiable

I'm not trying to be anybody else. I'm just trying to be myself.

c. 1960s — Interview.
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't think I'm a political artist. I'm just an artist.

c. 1960s-1970s — Interview, distancing himself from political labels.
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I'm just a song and dance man. That's all I am.

c. 1960s-2000s — Repeated statement in various interviews.
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I'm not saying I'm better than anybody else, but I'm not saying I'm worse either.

c. 1970s — Interview.
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I don't think I've ever recorded a song that I didn't like.

c. 1990s — Interview.
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I don't have any regrets. I've lived a good life.

c. 2000s — Interview.
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I'm not interested in being a spokesman for a generation. I'm interested in writing songs.

c. 1960s — Interview, rejecting the 'voice of a generation' label.
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I just write what I feel, and if it comes out funny, that's fine.

c. 1960s — Interview.
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I don't think I'm a folk artist. I think I'm a street musician.

c. 1960s — Interview.
Humorous Unverifiable

I've never been able to figure out what I am. I'm just me.

c. 1970s — Interview.
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I don't consider myself a poet. I consider myself a song and dance man.

c. 1960s-2000s — Interview, similar to other self-descriptions.
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I don't understand the fuss. I just write songs.

c. 1960s-1970s — Common reaction to his fame and critical attention.
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I'm not trying to educate anybody. I'm just trying to entertain.

c. 1960s — Interview, downplaying any didactic role.
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I just keep moving on. I don't look back.

c. 1990s — Interview, reflecting his constant evolution.
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I never think about what people want to hear. I just play what I want to play.

c. 1980s — Interview, emphasizing artistic independence.
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I'm not a nostalgic person. I live in the present.

c. 2000s — Interview, explaining his refusal to dwell on the past.
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I don't like to be pinned down. I like to be free.

c. 1960s — Interview.
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I don't know if I'm a rock star. I'm just a guy who plays music.

c. 1970s — Interview.
Humorous Unverifiable