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)