He’s been making music for more than 60 years – 44’s Bryan Jones suggests five Bob Dylan songs all internal comms professionals need to hear…

Any thoughts on Bob Dylan? You may have heard of him – he’s an American singer-songwriter, revered and despised by music-lovers in equal measure. And he recently turned 80.

His birthday has provoked lots of important media people to re-evaluate his impact on popular music. If you’re not aware, he was a chart-topper in the early 60s with folky ‘protest’ songs like ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, but also wrote love-songs like ‘Lay Lady Lay’, and more recently ‘Make You Feel My Love’. I put that one in for younger readers who may be familiar with British chanteuse Adele’s cover version.

And he’s famed for having perhaps the worst voice in pop music history. Or, perhaps, we should say ‘voices’ – because it changed every time he released a new album… without ever quite reaching the levels of ‘acceptable’ to most sensitive ears.

Now, I know, this is coming across like I’m one of the Bobster’s haters isn’t it?

Not so. In fact, I’m a massive fan. A Bobcat. I have been since my best mate at Loughborough Grammar School, Andy Lister, boldly lent me his prized and pristine LP of Highway 61 Revisited on a gloomy winter afternoon in 1975.

I love his whiny, squeaky, creaky voice; adore his weirdly obscure lyrics; luxuriate in the poetic language he weaves into the songs; and admire the creative way he’s reinvented himself over 60 years at the top.

The problem now is to shoehorn an internal communications message into my veiled tribute to the artist previously known as Robert Zimmerman.

Well how about my top five list of things we can learn from Dylan songs?

1) The Times They Are a-Changing

Our reluctant Nobel Prize winner penned this one back in 1964 – and guess what? The times they are still a-changing for all of us. And if we don’t keep moving, we’ll cease to exist.

2) Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts

The best communicators are brilliant storytellers. The Bobster’s a magical storyteller above all else. If you want to know how to tell an engaging tale quickly and concisely, he’s a master of his craft. This one (told in a few more than three minutes) is an epic ballad of romance and betrayal from his wonderful album Blood on the Tracks.

3) Forever Young

Big bad Bob may not have been the most reliable husband and father – but he did put together this beautiful prayer for children of all ages. Apparently written in a minute, it’s something we can all hope for…

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation,
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young

4) Blowin’ in the Wind

Stuck for a great way to engage an audience? Why not try the classic question and answer technique – as demoed in one of Dylan’s most famous songs. Probably best to make sure the questions don’t all receive the same plaintive reply: ‘The answer is blowin’ in the wind…’

5) Subterranean Homesick Blues

Check out the video for this one shot in the alley behind the Savoy Hotel in London if you want a lesson in simple but effective imagery – it’s a fabulous blending of words and visuals. A kind of early PowerPoint presentation, and a style copied thousands of times, but never bettered.

OK – a bit of stretch I know. But worth it to celebrate one of the greatest artists alive.

And if you want to hear more, check out a fun, impertinent, highly entertaining radio show by Lenny Henry, who asks (quite reasonably) ‘What’s So Great About Bob Dylan’. It’s on BBC Sounds along with lots of other content celebrating Bob at 80.