Another thing I find. The best songs are written very quickly. Doesn't surprise me that "Blowin' in the Wind" happened in 10 minutes. That's about what I would figure. For one such as "Like a Rolling Stone", figure 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour. They arrive on wings when you least expect it. Then you play them for a few days and you're getting to know the song and get comfortable with it, and more aware of its hidden depths...that's a wonderful experience...like making a new friend.

I can't figure those people who went to the Brill Building and wrote according to a daily schedule...all that Tin Pan Alley stuff...like it was a 9 to 5 office job or something. I guess it worked for them, but is it any coincidence that most of what they came up with was fluff?

- LH