# In 1963, critics tried to erase a Bob Dylan song from existence. Now, it’s considered an American classic

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1963-critics-tried-to-erase-a-bob-dylan-song-from-existence-now-its-considered-an-american-classic/
- Published: 2026-10-25T19:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T20:13:11+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1963-critics-tried-to-erase-a-bob-dylan-song-from-existence-now-its-considered-an-american-classic/

## Key points

- “Blowin’ in the Wind” faced authorship accusations.
- Dylan said the claims changed over time.
- Its questions about war and injustice still resonate.

## Summary

Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” was criticised soon after its release, with claims that he had not written it himself. The article argues that the song endured because its questions about war, death and injustice continued to resonate.

Dylan recalled that Newsweek first reported a young man from New Jersey had written the song; later accusations linked its melody to a Protestant hymn and an old spiritual. The article says these claims obscured the song’s place in the folk tradition and its lasting impact as a work of protest.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.