Dylan vs Berlin - A Songwriter Showdown for the Ages

 

You know how these things start.

Over a casual coffee (or something stronger), a mate throws out: “Dylan’s the greatest songwriter of all time!” And just like that, your day’s derailed and your brain starts revving like a motorbike stuck in first gear.

Sure, Dylan’s a genius. No argument there. But the greatest? What about Irving Berlin?

Cue this post.

Let’s put these two lyrical titans in the ring and see who walks away with the crown—or at least a harmonica or a grand piano.

Round 1: The Old Master – Irving Berlin

Born in 1888, Berlin practically invented the American songbook. The man wrote over 1,500 songs—that’s not a typo—and gave us classics like:

• White Christmas

• God Bless America

• Puttin’ on the Ritz

• There’s No Business Like Show Business

You could argue that he scored the entire 20th century in sheet music.

Berlin couldn’t actually read or write music formally. He played only in one key (F# major, if you’re wondering) and used a custom piano with a lever to shift the pitch.

Verdict: A wizard with a typewriter and a piano that cheated.

Round 2: The Nobel Laureate – Bob Dylan

Fast-forward to the 1960s. Enter Dylan: the voice of a generation with a nose for poetry and a harmonica that wouldn’t quit.

He gave us:

• Blowin’ in the Wind

• Like a Rolling Stone

• The Times They Are A-Changin’

• And a Nobel Prize in Literature, just for fun

Dylan took folk, stirred in rock, added politics, and spat out verses that professors still pretend to understand.

He was cryptic, grumpy, and allergic to interviews. In other words, the perfect artist.

Verdict: The man made rhyming “jugglers and clowns” with “heels on the ground” sound profound. That’s talent.

Round 3: Cultural Impact

• Berlin’s songs were sung by everyone from Bing Crosby to Barack Obama (okay, maybe not sung, but definitely played at events).

• Dylan’s lyrics became protest chants and high school essays, often in the same week.

One soundtracked World War II and America’s rise.
The other was the sound of rebellion and change.

Let’s call this one a draw.

Final Verdict:

So who wins? Depends on what mood you're in.

Feeling festive or patriotic? Berlin’s your guy.
Feeling moody, revolutionary, or just in need of a harmonica solo? Call Dylan.

Both changed music. Both changed culture.
And neither would return your calls, probably.

So in honour of my mate’s misguided certainty, I hereby declare it a tie.
One with a top hat, the other with a tambourine.

Let’s just be glad they didn’t try a duet.