I had heard this song for quite a while, but it wasn't until I heard it in the movie Watchmen did I really start to think of it's meaning. From there I became a fan of it's sound and message. The song has a very folk sound to it, but that's expected from Bob Dylan after all. It's a simple sound, yet one that is catchy and easy to listen to. Bob Dylan's voice isn't one that I would say is above all, but at the same time it adds so much towards the simplistic feel of the song. Aside from it's wonderful sound, it has such a strong foundation for the message of, evolve with the times, and change from the bad.
The song has many different indications of change within the world and that it's more positive to embrace growth than allow ignorance. One example of this is the very beginning of the song where he sings "And admit that the water around you head grows." This indicates the change within our world. This verse eventually leads to "And you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone." This is powerful. This shows that if you don't get with the times and move forward, you'll be a chimp amongst humans. Another example of this message is when Bob Dylan sings "Come senators, congressmen, please head the call. Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall." This is basically saying that the government shouldn't get in the way of the change. That the power of change should be within the people and therefore the people should be enabled to bring change. The last example, and my personal favorite line in the whole song, is "Don't criticize what you can't understand." These words are words to live by. They say that you can have your beliefs, but don't tell others what they should love or do. Powerful words and in a time that needed them. These words are still relevant today, with changing society comes the need for change in the world.
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