On Thursday American folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan became the first musician to win the Nobel Prize for literature, beating out favourites likes Haruki Murakami and Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.
A legend over several generations, not least for anthems like The Times They Are A Changing and Blowin' in the Wind, has also been the subject of many spoofs and parodies of his unique singing voice, his trademark appearance in unruly hair and a harmonica strapped to his face, and the serious reception that he receives.
"The poor keep getting hungry, and the rich keep getting fat" sings (video above) Hugh Laurie in his protest song on the sketch show A Bit of Fry and Laurie. "All we got to do is ....(mumbles)"
There is also the suggestion by another comic that Dylan's material might not be original.
In the spoof film Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, when John C Reilley is asked why his new material sounds like Dylan, he says, "How come no one ever asks Bob Dylan why your music sounds like Dewey Cox?"
Sings "Bellboxes drip like lamp posts in the twisted birth canal of the Colosseum"
"What the hell is this song about?"
"I have no idea."
"You guys are idiots. This song is very deep."
This one might be one parody too far. But the impression is spot on and the thought of the folk singer voicing these lyrics in his signature style is enough to send anyone into splits.
“Kickin’ in the front seat, Sittin’ in the back seat, Gotta make my mind up, Which seat can I take?” and “Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday, Today it is Friday, Friday (Partyin’)...Tomorrow is Saturday. And Sunday comes after... wards.”
In the last few years, Dylan has faced intense criticism for appearance in advertisements. Here's talk show host Conan's version of an extended cut of the protest singer's Chrysler ad.
The original was: "Yeah… Detroit made cars. And cars made America. Let Germany brew your beer. Let Switzerland make your watch. Let Asia assemble your phone. We will build your car."
In the extended cut: "Is there anything more American than America...Let France make your water...Let India answer your tech sport...Let Japan produce your torture porn...We will build your car...at least the parts that aren't built in Canada or Mexico."
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