Bob Dylan A-Z Trivia Quiz

Answer: 'Absolutely Sweet Marie'

'Oh, where are you tonight, Sweet Marie?' First released on the 1966 masterpiece, 'Blonde On Blonde.'

Answer: 'Ballad Of a Thin Man'

First released on the 1965 album 'Highway 61 Revisited.' Never one of my personal favorites, but Dylan seems to like it --- it's on four live albums and at least one live single. 'Something is happening' became a sort of watchword in the '60s for the social upheaval that was being urged. Joseph Heller, author of 'Catch-22,' was said to have titled his novel 'Something Happened' after this song.

Answer: 'Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?'

'Use your arms and your legs, it won't ruin you.' A 1965 single only, but released on the 1985 boxed set 'Biograph.'

Answer: 'Dignity'

First released in 1994's 'Greatest Hits 3,' but exposed to the general public on the following year's 'MTV Unplugged' album.

Answer: 'Everything Is Broken'

Things fall to pieces... everything broken... Get it? A rockin' blues from the critically acclaimed 1989 album 'Oh Mercy.' It was covered by bluesman R.L. Burnside on a 1999 tribute album.

Answer: 'Freight Train Blues'

From his 1962 self-titled debut album, a masterpiece of solo folk blues from the then 20-year-old. This is a traditional tune arranged by Dylan; all of the other choices are as well.

Answer: 'God Knows'

From the 1990 album 'Under the Red Sky,' an album with simplistic lyrics, almost doggerel, but infused with Christian allegory and symbolism throughout. It confused fans and critics alike.

Answer: 'Highway 61 Revisited'

'that way, down Highway 61.' Off the album of the same name. Gotta love a song that starts off, 'God said to Abraham, "Kill Me a son." Abe said, "Man, you must be puttin' me on!"'

Answer: 'It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)'

'...But it's alright, ma, it's life and life only.' From the 1965 album 'Bringing It All Back Home.'

Answer: 'Just Like a Woman'

'You fake just like a woman, yes you do, but you break just like a little girl.' This gem from 'Blonde On Blonde' was reviled as sexist on its first release. In retrospect, though, it's clear that this is one of Dylan's least vindictive break-up songs, and it's had its defenders as well.

Answer: Knockin on Heavens Door

A big hit from the almost entirely instrumental 1973 soundtrack, 'Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.' Bob Dylan was in the movie of that name, playing a knife-thowing character named Alias. Guns 'n' Roses covered this song on 'Use Your Illusion II' as well as their 'Live Era' album; but then, it was also covered by Eric Clapton, the Grateful Dead, ladysmith Black Mozambo, Television...

Answer: 'Lily, Rosemary & the Jack Of Hearts'

A lengthy story-song about a thief in a love triangle, from the otherwise very personal 1975 classic tribute to lost love, 'Blood On the Tracks.'

Answer: 'Mr. Tambourine Man'

First released on 'Bringing It All Back Home,' and played live about a bazillion times since. And covered by the Byrds, Judy Collins, Flatt & Scruggs, Crowded House, and many others.

Answer: 'Neighborhood Bully'

From the 1983 release 'Infidels,' a more secular record that came after a string of blatantly Christian albums. This song, however, is said to be a defense of Zionism (Israel is the 'neighborhood bully' that's surrounded by enemies on all sides and fights alone).

Answer: 'Outlaw Blues'

'...I got no reason to be there, but I imagine it must be some kind of change!' From 'Bringing It All Back Home,' the song's title refers to the lines in which the narrator says, 'I might look like Robert Ford, but I feel just like Jesse James.'

Answer: 'Political World'

A cri de coeur against general social injustice, from 'Oh Mercy.'

Answer: Quinn

'Quinn the Eskimo,' also known as 'The Mighty Quinn,' was first released live on 'Self Portrait,' then as a studio track on 'Greatest Hits 2.'

Answer: 'Rambling, Gambling Willie'

This has to have been a gimme, right? He rides (rambles) and rolls (dice; he gambles). It wasn't a trick question! This song dates to 1962 or so, but wasn't released officially until the 1991 box set 'The Bootleg Series.' It's listed as a Dylan composition, but it has strong roots in very similar traditional material.

Answer: 'Summer Days'

This rollicking blues is from the 2001 album 'Love & Theft.' The album was nomintaed for Album of the Year, but lost to the superb 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' soundtrack. Still, ya gotta give it to Bob, still going strong!

Answer: 'Tryin' To Get To Heaven'

This song comes from the 1997 album 'Time Out Of Mind,' which won the Album of the Year Grammy, as well as two others. (This was the Grammy awards in which Bob was joined onstage during a performance by an uninvited stage-crasher dancing with the words 'Soy Bomb' written across his chest. Weirdo.)

Answer: 'Up To Me'

This song was recorded for 'Blood On the Tracks.' It was bumped in favor of 'Shelter From the Storm,' with which it shares a tune (but no lyrical similarities). This out-take remained unreleased until the box set 'Biograph.'

Answer: 'Visions Of Johanna'

This song was first released on 'Blonde On Blonde.' (The other choices are not not Dylan songs. 'Very Ape' is a Nirvana song, 'Venus' is by the Velvet Underground, and the one who popularized 'Viva Las Vegas' the most, I guess, would be Elvis Presley. Hey, Dylan only has one song that starts with V.)

Answer: 'With God On Our Side'

'...The Germans now too have God on their side.' This song comes from the 1964 album 'The Times They Are A-Changin.' This was the overtly political album of social protest that, I think, cemented Dylan's reputation as a "protest-song-writing folksinger,' a label which he probably shook only in the last decade.

Answer: 'You Angel You'

From the okay, but far from great, 1974 album 'Planet Waves.' Aside from the fan favorite 'Forever Young,' this album isn't up to that Dylan standard.

Answer: 12 & 35

This woozy, brassy party favorite is from 'Blonde On Blonde.' I hope you enjoyed playing this quiz. Dylan's got a lot of truly great material, and hopefully this has inspired you to listen to a bit of it.