--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob…" description: "\"Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really changed the way I wanted to make records.\" — Elton John" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png" --- # Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really… ![“Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really changed the way I wanted to make records.” quote by Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png) > “Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really changed the way I wanted to make records.” [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hearing Bob Dylan’s “Modern Times” inspired a new artistic direction, showing how influential music can reshape creative aspirations. **In simple terms:** Music can dramatically shift artistic goals. Key Takeaway Seek inspiration from groundbreaking works. Themes inspiration creativity musical influence artistic evolution Mood enthusiastic creative reflective Type interview musical artistic When to use this quote - Songwriting - album production - genre experimentation - career planning - personal branding Key Concepts Cultural impact creative process musical legacy Questions to Reflect On - Which artists have reshaped your creative vision? - How do you balance influence with personal originality? A Different Perspective Influence may lead to imitation rather than originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [If Bob Dylan really is an historian in and of himself in his work, in his performances, he is also an historian with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/if-bob-dylan-really-is-an-historian-in-and-of-himself-in-his-work-in/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) > [I love Bob Dylan, I really do. I love his early work, I love the first time he plugged in electrically, I love his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-cash/i-love-bob-dylan-i-really-do-i-love-his-early-work-i-love-the-first/) [Johnny Cash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-cash/) > [Bob Dylan was really mad with my wife. I had asked by Rolling Stone - the only assignment I ever had for them -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/bob-dylan-was-really-mad-with-my-wife-i-had-asked-by-rolling-stone/) [Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/) > [Obama really changed the way in which design can be used effectively for a candidate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-millman/obama-really-changed-the-way-in-which-design-can-be-used-effectively/) [Debbie Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-millman/) > [I mean, television has really changed a lot, and changed the way movie people think about working in the storytelling business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-boden/i-mean-television-has-really-changed-a-lot-and-changed-the-way-movie/) [Anna Boden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-boden/) > [Courtney Love's name should be right next to Bob Dylan when they say best lyricist of all time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-perry/courtney-love-s-name-should-be-right-next-to-bob-dylan-when-they-say/) [Linda Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-perry/) > [I've been really, really blessed. I got to perform on stage with Bob Dylan. I've gotten to sing with Mick Jagger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-ve-been-really-really-blessed-i-got-to-perform-on-stage-with-bob/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [Most of the artists were trying to make a living, trying to get laid, trying to figure out who they were. They weren't trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-geffen/most-of-the-artists-were-trying-to-make-a-living-trying-to-get-laid/) [David Geffen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-geffen/) > [ Probably the high-watermark of \[Bob\] Dylan's career came after he plugged in his guitar ("Judas!" one fan shouted during a concert) and exploded American… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/probably-the-high-watermark-of-bob-dylan-s-career-came-after-he/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I first met (Bob Dylan) in '65. We've had a friendship for a long time. He decided to play on a record I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-sahm/i-first-met-bob-dylan-in-65-we-ve-had-a-friendship-for-a-long-time-he/) [Doug Sahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-sahm/) > [Producing Bob Dylan was pretty much a spectator sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-kooper/producing-bob-dylan-was-pretty-much-a-spectator-sport/) [Al Kooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-kooper/) > [That's who I wanted to be like was Bob Dylan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/that-s-who-i-wanted-to-be-like-was-bob-dylan/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [ Except in these latter-day songs, \[Bob\] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dylan-is-a-grizzled-old-prophet/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) ## More by Elton John > [For me music is so passionate. I have to give it my all every time I go onstage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/for-me-music-is-so-passionate-i-have-to-give-it-my-all-every-time-i/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [No tears to damn you when jealousy burns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/no-tears-to-damn-you-when-jealousy-burns/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [And we have come so far like that. I mean, the advances on the medication side have been enormous, and the advances on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/and-we-have-come-so-far-like-that-i-mean-the-advances-on-the/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, in fact it's cold as hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/mars-ain-t-the-kind-of-place-to-raise-your-kids-in-fact-it-s-cold-as/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I love the idea of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the beautiful stories about it, which I loved in Sunday school and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-love-the-idea-of-the-teachings-of-jesus-christ-and-the-beautiful/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I'm not bored with my life. I'm not just making the records and touring, I would find that boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-not-bored-with-my-life-i-m-not-just-making-the-records-and/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I love places that have an incredible history. I love the Italian way of life. I love the food. I love the people. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-love-places-that-have-an-incredible-history-i-love-the-italian-way/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I used to get my money at the end of the week, buy my mum something, or buy a record, and that was it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-used-to-get-my-money-at-the-end-of-the-week-buy-my-mum-something-or/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [We have a society where every hit maker and TV presenter is gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/we-have-a-society-where-every-hit-maker-and-tv-presenter-is-gay/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I'm very relaxed. I'm very happy with my personal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-very-relaxed-i-m-very-happy-with-my-personal-life/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [You can beat her, but don't mistreat her. Oh, don't believe that woman please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/you-can-beat-her-but-don-t-mistreat-her-oh-don-t-believe-that-woman/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [The Backstreet Boys can sing their asses off. I'm not so sure about those other boy bands. But Backstreet Boys have my ultimate respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/the-backstreet-boys-can-sing-their-asses-off-i-m-not-so-sure-about/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [I grew up at my grandmother's house, and she had a beautiful garden. I used to hate mowing the lawn and weeding, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-grew-up-at-my-grandmother-s-house-and-she-had-a-beautiful-garden-i/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [ He \[Ryan White\] had a kind of angelic aura about him. And his family, too, it's like, they are going through all this suffering,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/he-ryan-white-had-a-kind-of-angelic-aura-about-him-and-his-family-too/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Welcome to the world of bullshit, my dear. You have arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/welcome-to-the-world-of-bullshit-my-dear-you-have-arrived/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) [Explore all 352 Elton John quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) ## More Bob quotes > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I think anyone that grew up in the '70s and '80s grew up with Bob Barker and Wink Martindale and I think that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-fieri/i-think-anyone-that-grew-up-in-the-70s-and-80s-grew-up-with-bob/) [Guy Fieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-fieri/) > [ Except in these latter-day songs, \[Bob\] Dylan is a grizzled old prophet who's already been to hell and back. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/except-in-these-latter-day-songs-bob-dylan-is-a-grizzled-old-prophet/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [Over the past 50 years Bob Hope employed 88 joke writers who supplied him with more than one million gags, and he still couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-murphy/over-the-past-50-years-bob-hope-employed-88-joke-writers-who-supplied/) [Eddie Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-murphy/) > [I like men who are very cool but who are also so brilliant that they are almost insane. Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, Bob Dylan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolene-blalock/i-like-men-who-are-very-cool-but-who-are-also-so-brilliant-that-they/) [Jolene Blalock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolene-blalock/) > [I was very engaged by the folk music movement.Bob Dylan; Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary. And then I sort of discovered world music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/i-was-very-engaged-by-the-folk-music-movement-bob-dylan-joan-baez/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [ The most recent incarnation of \[Bob\] Dylan has been the traveling journeyman/ charlatan who sings roots music, snarls dark lyrics that make "All Along… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/the-most-recent-incarnation-of-bob-dylan-has-been-the-traveling/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [Well. We’ll just have to hope that this wasn’t a loup-garou, I guess.” “If it was a louper, you’d know,” Bob said wisely. “In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/well-we-ll-just-have-to-hope-that-this-wasn-t-a-loup-garou-i-guess-if/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Because of my tremendous respect for Bob Barker and for the show's high standards of professionalism I consider this a tremendous honor that few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-west/because-of-my-tremendous-respect-for-bob-barker-and-for-the-show-s/) [Randy West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-west/) > [That's who I wanted to be like was Bob Dylan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/that-s-who-i-wanted-to-be-like-was-bob-dylan/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [Everybody who I ever cared about has told me that they like my music: Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Al Green, The Spinners, Smokey Robinson.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-hall/everybody-who-i-ever-cared-about-has-told-me-that-they-like-my-music/) [Daryl Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-hall/) > [Bob's work gleaned from hoofing, from vaudeville, from ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/bob-s-work-gleaned-from-hoofing-from-vaudeville-from-ballet/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [Producing Bob Dylan was pretty much a spectator sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-kooper/producing-bob-dylan-was-pretty-much-a-spectator-sport/) [Al Kooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-kooper/) > [Listen, the story of the United States is this: One kid, without anything, walks out of his house, down the road, with nothing but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-bone-burnett/listen-the-story-of-the-united-states-is-this-one-kid-without/) [T Bone Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-bone-burnett/) > [I figure if I keep my health, I have no intention of retiring. I love to work. I want to be like Bob Hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-figure-if-i-keep-my-health-i-have-no-intention-of-retiring-i-love/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) Browse all 886 Bob quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really changed the way I wanted to make records.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elton John" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan-it-really-changed-the-way-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bob" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan-it-really-changed-the-way-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24b/elton-john-849_bob_once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan_1856994.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by Bob Dylan, it really changed the way I wanted to make records.” — Elton John", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elton John", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Once I'd heard 'Modern Times' by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan-it-really-changed-the-way-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/once-i-d-heard-modern-times-by-bob-dylan-it-really-changed-the-way-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```