Eighteen years after his last literary venue, Chronicles Volume One, Bob Dylan has announced a new book of essays. Centered on other songwriters' materials and picking apart the influence of icons like Nina Simone, Elvis Costello, and more, The Philosophy Of Modern Song arrives in November.
Bob Dylan is no stranger to literature, with his lyricism regularly being regarded more like works of poetry than anything else. Always intricately written and full of imagery, he’s among the greatest writers of our time, both within music and without.
The separation is silly really: songwriting and poetry are really no different. So many famous lyricists also work within poetry, prose, and beyond. Some of our favourite musicians have also given us our favourite books, so here are the best of the best to add to your bookshelf.
Billie Holiday - Lady Sings The Blues
The life of Billie Holiday is heartbreaking and tragic, but she was no victim. While the 2021 film The United States Vs Billie Holiday told the story of her run-ins with the law and experience of racism, her memoir lets her tell it properly, in her own words. Full of resilience and moments of her signature humour and wit, Billie’s memoir takes you from her childhood into fame and beyond. Published only a few years before her death, this is a captivating snapshot of the icon and all the hurdles she jumped, and the constant mistreatment she faced while making her way to the top.
Leonard Cohen - The Flame
A writer long before he was a musician, Leonard Cohen considered himself a poet first. Publishing several novels and collections in his life, they all deserve a place on this list but The Flame is a good place to start. Published posthumously, The Flame was his last collection. Pulled together by his son and wrapped up with a beautiful foreword about his father’s insane work ethic and process, it’s full of new work, lyrics, and Cohen’s signature illustrations.
Even if you’re not into poetry, this is one for you. Totally unpretentious and funny, he’s taking digs at Kanye West on one page and writing odes to his many lovers on the next.
Warren Ellis - Nina Simone’s Gum
There’s no book quite as cosy as this one. Written by Nick Cave’s long-term collaborator, Warren’s story starts in 1999 at Meltdown festival as he climbs onto the stage to steal a piece of gum that the legendary Nina Simone had left on the piano. He then carried the gum around with him for about 20 years as a lucky charm: sounds a bit weird, but it’s actually sweet, promise!
Following Warren’s mission to get the gum cast in gold in case anything happened to it while on exhibit in Nick Cave’s Copenhagen exhibition, it’s a story of human kindness and care. Everybody cares about preserving Nina Simone’s gum and by the end of the book, you will too.
Patti Smith - Just Kids
Obviously, this had to be on here. Godmother of punk, screaming icon, poet, and writer; Patti Smith has lived a life. While Just Kids is an autobiography following her career from moving to New York to eventually leaving, it’s more than that. Just Kids fulfills a promise Patti made to Robert Mapplethorpe; her best friend, ex, and long-term collaborator. When he died she promised to tell their story, and she does it in the most beautiful way.
Just Kids is like a time capsule for '60s and '70s New York, balancing romanticism of the musical heyday with a heavy dose of reality and tragedy as the 27 club got going and artists lived in poverty. Name-dropping the likes of Andy Warhol, Ginsberg, Janis Joplin, and more, Just Kids will become an instant favourite.
Nick Cave - Sick Bag Song
The thought of Nick Cave’s towering gothic frame settling down to write a book is a funny image, but god is he good.
Sick Bag Song is his fifth book, packing a lot into its 120 or so pages. Mixing a tour diary with fantasy visions and discussions of his influences, it’s a perfect boiling pot of all the best bits of the rockstar. Strange and sexy, dark yet sweet, this is a great starting point before diving into his weirder fiction. It’s also ideal if you’re not much of a reader, as Nick Cave loves bullet-point lists.
Carrie Brownstein - Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl
A staple of the 2000s slacker rock, riot grrl scenes, Carrie Brownstein of Sleater Kinney has an interesting story to tell. Sure, Carrie’s stories of touring with Pearl Jam are interesting and it’s cool to hear about how Sleater Kinney blew up, but the most interesting part is the discussion of the fangirl to musician pipeline. Carrie is just like us, growing up obsessed with gigs and fumbling her way into a band just to be closer to music.
Even if you’ve not really listened to Sleater Kinney, Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl is a great read, all about fan culture, burnout, collaboration, and 2000s rock.
Bob Dylan - Chronicles: Volume One
Supposedly the first of three volumes, Chronicles focuses on the very beginnings of Bob Dylan’s career. Back when he was unknown, this first book walks the reader through a period of obscurity in his career, providing what's essentially extended liner notes for his first albums.
If you’re a fan of his earlier work, this is one for you as he talks about the start of his songwriting, the songs that planted the seed, and his inspirations in his early career.
Elton John - Me
Spilling all the goss that was left out of Rocketman, Elton John worked on Me for almost four years. As his only autobiography, Me covers it all, from Elton’s childhood through to his upcoming final tour. With no stone left unturned, he shares his reasons and motivations behind everything, talking about fashion, Michael Jackson, aids advocacy, his cancer diagnosis, and more.
When you close the back cover, Elton feels like an old friend. This intimate book is fascinating and cosy, managing to balance being surprising and new with painting pictures of some of his most iconic moments.
Keith Richards - Life
Very few people have had a life like Keith Richards and lived to tell the story. The ultimate rock party boy, his autobiography lifts the veil on his exciting lifestyle to reveal some darker moments. Talking passionately about music and his obsession with artists like Chuck Berry that influences The Rolling Stones’ sound, Life is oddly wholesome. Sharing insights into his friendship with Mick Jagger and the band, and all the trials and tribulations of collaborating with your closest friends when you’re all deep into drugs, it takes you through the highs and lows of their personal lives and career.
Still out gigging, Keith Richard writes with brutal honesty and excitement, still so passionate about what he’s doing.
Sinead O'Connor - Rememberings
“I never signed anything that said I would be a good girl.”
Sinead O'Connor was served a strange hand, but the lessons she’s learned are big and important. Taking you through her career from the day she shaved her head to piss off her label, to pillow fighting with Prince at Paisley Park, all her wildest moments make so much sense in the context of her life. Rocketing to the heights of fame and still being dictated and controlled by men in suits, her memoir is a cutting takedown of sexism and misogyny in the industry while also being deeply personal and inspiring.
Add it to your list if you’re looking for a moving read.
Kae Tempest - On Connection
A perfect intro to their upcoming record, On Connection is all about the power of collaboration and the uniting power of the arts. As a spoken word artist, Kae is no stranger to literary releases, having gifted us plenty of poetry collections, plays and more. But On Connection is their first non-fiction work, focusing inward and offering up something autobiographical rather than fictional.
Inspiring, wholesome and moving, it’s a beautiful look into the best bits of being a creative and the power it gives you to connect with others.
Bob Dylan's The Philosophy of Modern Song is out on 8 November 2022
