6726. Bob Dylan - Thunder on the Mountain

- Saturday, February 14, 2026

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81QSUMrNCGL._SX522_.jpg

From: Modern Times; Year: 2006; Genre: Rock 'n Roll/Rockabilly

I wanted to pick something related to Valentine's Day, and this track in fact does have a major connection to the holiday, so bear with me.

Okay, so, in the past I really wasn't one that cared for Valentine's Day; just seemed too commercial and felt like one of those occasions where society seemingly punishes the lonely people who hadn't a "sweetheart." Make them feel like outcasts and unloved, etc. Well, a few years ago I discovered that this holiday on which the martyrdom of Saint Valentine is marked, happened on the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which contained some rites of fertility and such. Of course the Feast of St. Valentine has been observed for many, many centuries since. However, I happened to discover the genesis of wot you could call the more secular aspects, which began with Geoffrey Chaucer, who is known as both the Father of English Literature and Poetry, in his 14th Century poem Parlement of Foules where he made the link between romantic love and Valentine's Day. Although, there is debate about his meaning and the link between romantic love and The Feast of St. Valentine, but the overall society latched on to it and future authors embellished even more until we have Valentine's Day the way it is today.

Okay, now, I said that there was a connection between the holiday and this song, even if it has a few degrees of separation, so here it is: master poet, singer, songwriter, and modern bard Bob Dylan really weaves an interesting and complex tale with this song. He touches on not only the Greco-Roman pantheon to tell his seeming journey through life, but also references Chaucer's magnum opus The Canterbury Tales in a whirlwind of prose and exposition to paint one hell of a story. Wot is really interesting is that the style of music is straight out of early rock 'n roll and rockabilly, which really is an odd pairing to such a deep and complex song paired up with something so raucous and danceable. Such is the case when one great poet channels another great poet about six centuries apart.

Hear Thunder on the Mountain on YouTube.

My song pick 1 year ago today: Larry Graham & Graham Central Station - Love 4 1Another

My song pick 2 years ago today: Paul McCartney - Valentine Day

My song pick 3 years ago today: The "5" Royales - Dedicated to the One I Love

My song pick 4 years ago today: Tesla - Love Song

My song pick 5 years ago today: Foreigner - I'll Get Even With You

My song pick 6 years ago today: The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet - Delilah