Talk:All Along the Watchtower

Witch's Hat tower

I'm surprised the following has lasted so long in the Bob Dylan's Original section: "It is rumored that Dylan wrote the song in reference to the Witch's Hat Water Tower in Prospect Park, Minneapolis, which was clearly visible from Dylan's previous residence in Dinkytown." Rumors are not encyclopedic, and the source cited lends no credence whatsoever to the possibility. Furthermore, apart from rumor and location, the source has nothing to say about the water tower's visibility from Dylan's one-time residence. To report such things without further comment, as the source did, is to do so at the risk of lending credence, poor journalism at best. Given that the idea is absurd on its surface (it's water tower, not a watchtower, despite the observation deck), I believe that a more authoritative source is called for and without it, all we're doing is reinforcing and giving undue weight to local urban legend. Allreet (talk) 21:40, 11 October 2009 (UTC)

I should add that without a response and additional source by October 18 (one week), I intend to remove the above statement. Thanks. Allreet (talk) 13:42, 12 October 2009 (UTC)

Hi Alreet, I agree 100% with your removal of this nonsense. I remember removing this point about Witch's Hat from this article about a year ago, so someone is re-instating it. Best wishes, Mick gold (talk) 08:03, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

On the basis of the last comment, I believe a waiting period is not necessary, and I am removing the statement immediately. If you disagree, please do not reinstate the material but post your comments here so other editors can respond. Thanks. Allreet (talk) 21:19, 14 October 2009 (UTC)

Bob Dylan's Original Section

This section could benefit from some reorganizing, while the beginning needs additional sourcing and re-writing.

• The composing and recording of the song belongs in its own subsection. The song's writing should come first, then the account of the recording. Analysis and critical reception should follow as the second subsection, though eventually they could be separate subsections, and the last would cover the performances.
• The background on the song is sketchy and awkwardly worded. I checked two of the citations, American Heritage and Behind the Shades (pages 285-286), and confirmed the first but found the reference in Heylin regarding the Bible stretched. Only his mother, not "family members", commented, and her statement, given in 1968, is that her son had "recently rediscovered the Bible", but without any connection to 1966-67, the period when the song was written. Sounes's Down the Highway and Mojo's Dylan: Visions, Portraits, and Back Pages support the ideas behind the text better and would lend the small amount of detail needed to strengthen the account. The other subsections just need routine cleanup.

I believe the above would improve the BDO section considerably. Accordingly, I'm proceeding with re-working the background and creating the subsections. If that passes the muster, then the general cleanup will follow. Allreet (talk) 17:49, 18 October 2009 (UTC)

Bizarre editing

Whilst viewing the page I saw that someone had posted a rather bizarre edit into the notes section. Clearly wanting to add something to the page but not knowing what. Thought i'd put it here, if anyone else knows better feel free to act.

There is a quest in World of Warcraft with a very similar name, I though it reminded me of something, than big flash back, from the time I'd play the game, whoever is going to edit this hello, and also make it cute. :3333dddd http://thottbot.com/?qu=5098 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.120.222.100 (talk) 16:10, 21 October 2009 (UTC)

Barbara Keith is not mentioned.

Barbara Keith also covered this song in her 1972 LP from Warner Brothers' Records. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 152.7.23.157 (talk) 04:01, 28 June 2011 (UTC)

Agreed, the Barbara Keith version was fairly widely played in the early seventies, at least in the San Fancisco area, is now apparently a valued collectible, and is quite good. I guess this article is what you get when people write about something that happened ten years before they were born :D 210.22.142.82 (talk) 03:04, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

Other versions

The following musicians are listed in the subsection for other artists who have recorded this song. This list has grown steadily over time, but none of these are referenced. Beyond references, I have to ask how notable are these artist's versions? ---RepublicanJacobite_TheFortyFive 05:05, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

• Affinity (band) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.111.75.185 (talk) 19:05, 10 September 2012 (UTC)
• The Allman Brothers Band
• Jackson Browne
• Eric Clapton
• Lisa Gerrard
• Giant Sand
• Indigo Girls
• The Killers
• George Lynch
• Phil Lesh and Friends
• Taj Mahal
• Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush
• John Mellencamp
• Mountain
• Phish
• Spirit
• Supertramp
• Widespread Panic

For some reason the Bear McCreary version has often incorrectly been referred to as "written" by McCreary rather than arranged by him. This is particularly true on Battlestar Galactic sites.CharmsDad (talk) 16:59, 10 May 2013 (UTC)

The "Others" list is growing pretty long. I think we should not allow redlinks in there. Thoughts? --FeldBum (talk) 02:53, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

I would say that not only should redlinks not be permitted but any version lacking secondary sourcing demonstrating it is significant in some manner should be removed. DonIago (talk) 13:21, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

Clark

The references "Clark" (reference 4 and 6) refered to what ? - Khayman ^(contact) 00:55, 20 March 2012 (UTC) Same question for "Cf. "Dylan and the Dead". (reference 18). - Khayman ^(contact) 01:26, 20 March 2012 (UTC)

Dylan's viewpoint

In the Analysis section there is a quote by Dylan talking about how he hasn't fulfilled the balladeer's role. As someone who is not very familiar with either Bob Dylan or musical criticism I don't know how to take this. Is Dylan expressing regret that he hadn't done a better job? Is he explicitly stating that he was trying to break some kind of musical norm? Perhaps someone more knowledgeable could clarify what Dylan means by that statement. 128.252.20.193 (talk) 18:17, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

In interviews I've heard Dylan was never very happy of his recordings of this song. On the other hand, over the years he has frequently expressed great admiration for Hendrix's version.CharmsDad (talk) 21:55, 11 May 2013 (UTC)

display the lyrics

The article has fleshed out nicely. But it really needs the lyrics displayed right up front, it seems the most brief and complete way to define the subject.

Pb8bije6a7b6a3w (talk) 20:29, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

The phrase you're looking for is "copyright violation". Also see WP:Lyrics and poetry. Cheers. Doniago (talk) 21:13, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

Hendrix' Changes to Dylan's Lyrics?

Main article about Jimi Hendrix's version should address whether Jimi did in fact change some of Dylan's lyrics for the Electric Ladyland album and whether Jimi varied the lyrics he sung to the song in live appearances. For example, it has been said that Jimi changed "plowmen dig my earth" to "come and dig my herb"; also, "outside in the distance a wildcat did growl", the word "cold" was sung by Jimi just before "distance". Other lines may have been altered as well for Jimi's seminal interpretation. As it exists now, the article addresses musical chord changes, but makes no mention of lyrical ones. Theaternearyou (talk) 20:13, 27 August 2013 (UTC)