JODSGN Mix Tape | 1965-A

1965, the year rock and pop music was blown wide open. No longer considered a teenage fad, lousy with tame teen love songs, rock and pop artists were able to stretch out conceptually and lyrically. Instead of singing about crying over lost love, they could now sing about “crying like a fire in the sun,” or express their bitterness and anger in song, “how does it feel?” The British had invaded America, armed with a love for America’s seemingly forgotten blues, and the crew at Motown are the only American artists able to compete with British chart dominance.

What I’m Saying Is: For a good example of how popular music was stretching out creatively, check out the last video in the playlist. Donovan swaps songs with Bob Dylan, singing a tame and conventional “To Sing for You.” Mr. Dylan counters with a very confident, and appropriate, version of “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Donovan is outmatched, he knows it, and so does Bob – their faces say it all. 1965 Bob Dylan ain’t nuttin’ to fuck wit.