The Lyrics: 1961-2020

This isn't the book you will be taking down to the pub to answer those lyrics questions at the local quiz night.It's not even the book you will be sitting read while listening to the songs on your headphones.It's more something to be left on a shelve, taken down and looked at lovingly once in a while, leafing through parts.This book is big. No other word for it. It's heavy too, needs too hands.So what do we get for the admission price?Well to be honest I was disappointed at parts of the content. There are so many variations of Dylan's songs out there and with empty pages of room,...sometimes up to four blank pages in a row...there could have been so much more put in here. Instead, mainly they have played it safe, including the lyrics of the 'official releases'; both the normal albums and the bootleg series. Once in a while a version popped out that I had never seen before, but sadly that was a rare event.It will take some getting used to as well. The same songs are sometimes spread over several parts. I would have preferred both versions of some of the songs to be together. "If you see her say Hello" was after all re-worked before the album was released. So both versions would have been nice together instead of the later one first, and later on the earlier one.They followed the official release dates of each album as opposed to the date the song was written. I am sure had they done it the other way as many people would have been disappointed with that as they might be with the way they have done it. No win really.There are a lot of totally blank pages, sometimes you understand why, but sometimes, four in a row between an album cover and the first song does have you wondering.That all been said the book is a work of art in it's self. It's beautiful. You need to be careful when turning the pages, you really don't want this marked....wearing thin cotton white groves might be over kill but it will keep it looking beautiful for years to come. And if you are the sort of person that licks their thumb before turning a page you really shouldn't be owning this! LOL.The dust jacket is an understated light grey, with the actual cover a darker grey with the motif. The words are only on the hard cover, but peer through the semi transparent light grey dust jacket. I love the design but don't rate the logo much, personal choice that one.So final thoughts. It could have had so many more versions of some of the songs....but that could run forever so I guess the complier made a choice. The book as it stands is a work of art, lovingly put together. It just pours style. Is it worth the £84 I paid,...good god yes! You pay for what you get and this book is sheer style.

This is the definitive text - so far. The LP album format works really well, I love the repros of the original album covers (back and front). In fact the experience provided by this book is very similar to that old vinyl album thing. You have to handle this production with respect because you don't want to damage it. (The book is of a such a size - ie. 961 pp on high quality paper, in hard covers. Even of you don't like it, you could drop it on your boss's foot significant effect or use it to neutralize a burglar.)It is great to see the songs in all their glory in a big font laid out in a way that you can see and read and sing from without having to turn a page. This even applies to long songs like 'Desolation Row'. This is such an improvement on the 'Songs and Drawings" editions.Not everyone will like the footnotes indicating lyrical changes. The big page format means that you can ignore these if you really want to. Personally, I like them.In summary: this book is a stunning creation. Though does it have to be so expensive??? After all, as well know: 'money doesn't talk, it swears'.I am already looking forward to the next, updated edition.

I purchased this book as a gift for my husband who's a mad Dylan fan. He absolutely loves it.It's a beautifully presented book, quality all round. The paper is excellent quality and so is the binding. Mind you, it needs to be, as it's such a large book. The lyrics are all printed out album by album, and preceded by a full page cardboard reprint of the album from which they come from.I was initially a bit concerned that the book may have arrived damaged, as it was coming a long way to Australia and would have been handled quite a bit. Happy to say that it arrived in perfect condition as it was brilliantly packed. A huge thumbs up.My husband says the book is a pearler and something to treasure always. It definitely is well worth seeking out.

I bought this for my husband on our 45th wedding anniversary and he was absolutely overwhelmed, and over the moon with happiness. This is a real coffee table book, huge and very heavy. It seems to contain every lyric Dylan ever wrote. As a lifelong fan of Dylan, my husband said that he could not have wished for a better gift.

Fabulous way to follow and learn the wonderful lyrics the poetic musician Bob Dylan

This book is worth six stars.But yet. But yet it poses a problem. And I don't mean the fact that you need a sturdy table and a comfy chair in order to read it.Each time another Bootleg comes out the book will be very likely be out of date. Already is in fact, since the release of Volumes 11 & 12 of the Bootleg Series.

A beautiful coffee table book. The biggest I have ever seen, with a weight of 6 kilograms ! The reason and idea for this size is that it contains all LP covers in original size and colours, both sides or more. There are also lyrics of unreleazed songs (whatever the melody might be) and alternative lyrics for many songs. BD sings different lyrics now and then, and this is specified. Per example for the songs 'I shall be released' and 'Desolation row'. I think that a digital version would be nice (handy), and could become a gold mine impossible to finish. There are always something more, per example all the youtube videos about 'big pink' and the stories about it. Unbelievable big memories !

This is a fabulous book! It's heavy by the way, packed to the rafters with every lyric he's written ( as the title suggests....)it's a must for Dylan fans! If you love a bit of Bob then go for it :)