S&S snaps up 'brilliant' book on songwriting by Bob Dylan

Simon & Schuster has snapped up a “brilliant” book on the art and craft of songwriting by Bob Dylan, his first book of new writing since winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. 

Jonathan Karp, president and c.e.o., and Sean Manning, executive editor, acquired world English rights, audio, and first serial rights for The Philosophy of Modern Song from Andrew Wylie at the Wylie Agency, which is handling translation rights.  

Alongside the UK, the book will be published by S&S’ international companies in the US, Australia, Canada and India, and in audiobook by S&S Audio. Dylan will narrate a portion of the audiobook with a mix of other voices. The publication, on 8th November 2022, has been described as “a global publishing event”. 

S&S said foreign rights have sold to 11 territories and counting, including Feltrinelli in Italy; C H Beck in Germany; Spectrum in the Netherlands; Editions Fayard in France; Anagrama in Spain; Bonniers in Sweden; Iwanami in Japan; Gutkind in Denmark; Relogio d’Agua in Portugal; Companhia das Letras in Brazil; and CITIC in China. 

Dylan began writing The Philosophy of Modern Song in 2010. It includes more than 60 essays focusing on songs by other artists, from Stephen Foster to Elvis Costello, Hank Williams to Nina Simone. He analyses 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.  

The publisher said: “These essays are written in Dylan’s unique prose. They are mysterious and mercurial, poignant and profound, and often laugh-out-loud funny. And while they are ostensibly about music, they are really meditations and reflections on 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.” 

Karp said: “The publication of Bob Dylan’s kaleidoscopically brilliant work will be an international celebration of songs by one of the greatest artists of our time. The Philosophy of Modern Song could only have been written by Bob Dylan. His voice is unique, and his work conveys his deep appreciation and understanding of songs, the people who bring those songs to life, and what songs mean to all of us.” 

Ian Chapman, chief executive and publisher of S&S UK, added: “I well remember my first reading of Chronicles: Volume One (S&S). The year was 2004. Ever since, other than a perennial re-reading of that marvellous book, I, along with millions of other Dylan fans, have been waiting impatiently for more from our author. 

“The Philosophy of Modern Song is the answer to our prayers.  It is another astonishing piece of work. I sat transfixed reading – and then re-reading after listening to the song in question – Dylan’s observations, poignant, illuminating, funny. Yes, these essays are about the music, the artists and the times at which they were written. But they are also about so much more. Dylan takes us on a surprising journey, musings about life, society, culture, philosophy. His genius shines through and it is a pleasure and privilege to have spent a little more time in his company in this extraordinary collection. We cannot wait to share with the rest of the world.”