How Many Times…” Rhetoric and Aesthetic Qualities of Repetition in Dylan’s Song Blowin’ In The Wind

Abstract

The widely known song “Blowin’ In The Wind” by Bob Dylan holds meaningful repetitions that reveal different hermeneutical viewpoints and diverse other topics not discussed yet. This academic study begins with the idea that the perpetuation of the artist is conducted by three key elements: authenticity, repetition and reproduction, which are fundamental issues that determine his musical manners. The last aim of this study is to give an explanation of how the artist gets involved in the popular music industry while he maintains his authenticity through an innovative use of repetition on stage. For that, this research will situate the song in the American music tradition and define the singular connection of the singer-songwriter with his audience, as it can be concluded from his use of repetitive patterns in songs. The final point of this article will focus on the song analysis and with that, it will reach some conclusions after the study of repeatability and recurrence in the original record (1963). Such conclusions have a relation with the effort of the artist to preserve his authenticity in life and art managing both sides –romantic or traditional and modernist or experimental– as it is explained by theorists like Keir Keightley (2001). Additionally, it provides other ideas and interpretative resources about Dylan’s creations.