Chuck Berry, “Nadine (Is It You?)” (1964).

These are remarkable images for a pop song, and both the music and use of language proved to be a profound influence on Bob Dylan. One need only listen to “Nadine (Is It You?),” released in February 1964, and then to the 1965 Dylan album Bringing It All Back Home, with its surreal story-songs, to hear the similarities.

—William Ruhlmann

salesonfilm:

original Variety review of Antichrist’s debut at Cannes, as it appears on the Criterion Collection supplements disc

Chuck Berry, Neoclassicist

by Stephen Akey for The Millions

Chuck Berry lyrics are “poetry, or at least a variety of folk poetry that delights in language and its own expressiveness.”

Pearl Jam, “Corduroy” (1994).

“the best Pearl Jam song”—Michael Nelson, Stereogum, July 2012.

“Can’t buy what I want because it’s free

Can’t be what you want because I’m…”

(via fuckyeahmarytimony)

So, if I wanna search the “punk/new wave” genre and the “campy” mood and “5 star” ratings, then you’ll tell me that Blondie rules?

Oh, I could play this game all day…

by Rachel Berkowitz

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The Beatles, “Yer Blues” (1968).

“Balanced deftly between parody and earnestness…”

—The Beatles Bible