Bob Dylan Handwritten Lyrics — How to Sell & What They’re Worth
To auction, sell or consign your Bob Dylan handwritten lyrics, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Bob Dylan’s Songwriting
Music legend Bob Dylan won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature for his songwriting achievements and was the first songwriter to receive the honor. He has shared that the songwriting process for some songs, like “Blowin’ in the Wind”, are quick and nearly completed after one sitting while others are more deliberate and tedious.
Auction Highlights for Handwritten + Signed Lyrics
“The Times They Are a-Changin'” — Signed + Handwritten Lyrics Sold for $89,505
“The Times They Are a-Changin’” was released in 1964 as the title track of Bob Dylan’s third studio album. The song quickly became a protest song for the American Civil Rights movement, an anti-war anthem during the Vietnam War and remains relevant during politically tumultuous times. The powerful track is among Dylan’s lifework that earned him the 2016. Nobel Prize in Literature. We realized $89,505 for Bob Dylan signed and handwritten lyrics for “The Times They Are a-Changin’”. Handwritten lyrics and signature have been authenticated by Bob Dylan’s manager.
“Like a Rolling Stone” — Signed + Handwritten Lyrics Sold for $71,937
“Like a Rolling Stone” was released in 1965 on Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited, during his transition towards heavy rock. At over six minutes in length, he received pushback from radio stations and record labels as most radio hits were only about two to three minutes long. Dylan refused to shorten the song and it eventually reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. We realized $71,937 for handwritten lyrics of this classic rock song.
Signed + Handwritten Lyrics From November 1961 — Sold for $24,000
We realized $24,000 for Bob Dylan signed and handwritten lyrics from November 1961 shortly after signing with Columbia records. The draft song is about Wisconsin, where Dylan spent time as a teenager at summer camp. Page measures approximately 8.5 x 10.75 inches and is accompanied with a COA from Roger Epperson. Full uncorrected lyrics by Dylan read,
“Bob Dylan – 11/20/61 / N.Y.C
1. Wisconson is the dairy state
I guess you all know well
I was in Wow Wow Toaster there
The truth to you I’ll tell
It’s milk & cheese & cream
I’ve known ’em all my days
I’m going back to my hometown I’m leaving right aways
2. I’m a heading out Wisconson ways
2000 miles to go
Madison, Milwakee set’s my heart aglow
I’m a coming to that dairy state
My heart’s a beating fast
I’ll jerk my banjo gently there
And twiddle my mustache
3. There’s thoughts I left there long ago
One a coming now it seems
I’ll tune my banjo than the hills
And feast on milk and cream
And stamp my foot all thru the grass
And never know a care
My homes in Wow Wow Toaster
And I’m a going there”
The song continues on the verso:
“1. These people with you city ways
Are driving me insane to drink
My home’s in Wisconson it’s a better place I think
I’ve been in California
My home’s in Wisconson
And I”m gonna own the town”
Thanks for taking a look at some of the Bob Dylan lyrics we sold. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] for questions or if you’d like to sell your Bob Dylan handwritten lyrics. Learn more about how to sell your Bob Dylan autograph items and check out some past LP sales.
FAQs
How many songs has Bob Dylan composed?
Some estimate Dylan to have written about 600 songs. Others believe the estimate is closer to 1,000 when factoring in unreleased music and songs he co-wrote with other musicians.
When did Bob Dylan start writing music?
Bob Dylan’s debut album was released in 1962. His earliest recorded songs were from 1959 and include the songs “When I Got Troubles”, “Teen Love Serenade” and “The Frog Song”.