My parents took me to a Bob Dylan concert when I was 14, and I did not appreciate it. I was 14, and a medium-level butthead, so it was hard for me to appreciate most things, but I probably should have sulked a little bit less about being at a Nobel Prize-winning event. I remember Bob playing some of the songs that I really liked, some that I did not care about at all, and coming back out for two encores. I was not impressed with the grumpy dude on stage that was keeping me from being at home in my room, listening to actual Garbage, and writing in my diary about how hard my life was.

I am lucky that my parents have always had good taste in music, and growing up, the house was filled with everything from Carole King to Smokey Robinson to The Beatles to Stevie Wonder. I steal their music now, of course, and happy that “Blowing in the Wind” might always be a personal theme song. Bob is always in my life-soundtrack, and tends to come out a lot during low moments and breakups. This line, from Positively 4th Street, has helped me out of the sad phase a few times, and pushed me happily into the I-don’t-even-like-you-anyway phase.

I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment
I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is
To see you

Bob Dylan’s song-writing story is one of the most iconic, I am grateful I was able to see this crazy genius in person. He is someone that I would have wanted to know when he was young in New York, even though he looks like the exact kind of dude that would have hurt my feelings in my early 20’s, it would be worth the story. And the turtleneck.

So cheers to Bob Dylan and his Nobel Prize for Literature. Honestly, it’s about time there is some good new surrounding a musical legend this year. I am glad he is being appreciated while he is around to appreciate it.