Bob Dylan published The Book in 2022. Modern Song PhilosophyA collection of his comments on songs by other musicians. As this is his first book of new writing since 2004’s Chronicles: Volume OneIt was met with excitement upon its release. Fans even spent $600 to purchase an autographed copy of the book. Fans began to doubt the authenticity after discovering that every autographed copy had the exact same signature. Dylan made a rare public apology for using autopen to sign books.
Bob Dylan published the book ‘The Philosophy of Modern Song’ in 2022
In his first book since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, Dylan aimed to give “his extraordinary insight into the nature of popular music” (via Simon & Schuster). He covered songs by Little Richard, Frank Sinatra and Nina Simone in the book.
“He analyzes what he calls the trap of easy rhymes, breaks down how the addition of a single syllable can diminish a song, and even explains how bluegrass relates to heavy metal,” his publisher explained. “These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial. They are poignant and profound. And they can often be funny. They are not ostensibly about musical instruments, but are meditations and reflections of the human condition. Running throughout the book are nearly 150 carefully curated photos as well as a series of dream-like riffs that, taken together, resemble an epic poem and add to the work’s transcendence.”
Bob Dylan apologised for using an autopen to sign the books
The book was hand-signed by Dylan, which made it more valuable for some fans. These copies, which sold for $600, included a confirmation of the signature’s authenticity from Simon & Schuster CEO Jonathan Karp.
However, soon after signing the copies, many fans began to question their authenticity. The signatures of the signed copies were identical across hundreds upon hundreds of books, which was evident when they were compared on social media. As it turned out, Dylan used autopen, which automatically replicates a person’s signature. He offered a rare public apology.
I’ve been made aware that there’s some controversy about signatures on some of my recent artwork prints and on a limited-edition of Philosophy Of Modern Song. I’ve hand-signed each and every art print over the years, and there’s never been a problem. In 2019, I experienced severe vertigo, which lasted into the pandemic years. For these signing sessions to be possible, I need a team of five to work closely with me. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a safe or practical way for me to finish the job while the virus was rampant. So, during the pandemic, it was impossible to sign anything and the vertigo didn’t help. With contractual deadlines looming, the idea of using an auto-pen was suggested to me, along with the assurance that this kind of thing is done ‘all the time’ in the art and literary worlds.
He acknowledged that it was an error and said that he was working closely with the publisher to correct it.
“Using a machine was an error in judgment and I want to rectify it immediately,” he wrote. “I’m working with Simon & Schuster and my gallery partners to do just that.”
Simon & Schuster also issued an apology and offered full refunds to anyone who purchased a signed book.
Others artists responded to the jabs in the book
In other ways, the book also made waves. Some artists, including The Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz, felt a bit disrespected by Dylan’s commentary. Frantz prickled at Dylan’s assertion that “Elvis Costello and the Attractions were a better band than any of their contemporaries. Light years better.”
“When I read that, I just thought, ‘Jesus, Bob,’” Frantz told Rolling Stone. “’I understand you dig Elvis Costello, but did you have to put it that way?’”
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Other musicians, though, were happy that Dylan mentioned them, even if it wasn’t wholly flattering. When he wrote that the Hank Williams song “Your Cheatin’ Heart” wouldn’t have worked with someone like guitarist Joe Satriani, Satriani was just happy Dylan knew his name.
“Bob Dylan knows my name?” Satriani said, still adding in his defense, “I think the great Hank Williams and I could have sorted things out and made some great music together.”