I can hear Timothée Chalamet’s rendition of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” in my ear as I write, starting as a near whisper and building with a slow crescendo. Chalamet (29) portrayed Bob Dylan in the recent biopic “A Complete Unknown,” directed by James Mangold. The movie, released in late 2024, is Chalamet’s second film production credit.
Five years prior to the release of the film, Chalamet began preparing to play the daunting part of Bob Dylan, and Dylan himself – who was involved in the making of the movie and approved the script – has responded positively to the casting decision. In a post on X, Dylan referred to Chalamet as a “brilliant actor,” even saying, “I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me,” in typical poetic, Bob fashion. Rumor has it that, to stay immersed in the demanding role, Chalamet remained aloof on set and was referred to as “Bob” on the call sheet. He also learned around 40 songs, both vocally and on guitar, which would be played live while making the film.
Chalamet’s widely heralded and critically acclaimed performance of Bob Dylan reinforces an industry trend that I believe has been bubbling up for a while: the rebirth of strong songwriting and the embrace of a “‘60s/’70s Vibe.” In my work, I am fortunate to be able to engage with young artists, many of whom are former students who now reside in Nashville, NYC, and LA. They keep me relevant and tuned in to the trends that are currently in vogue with rising artists of today. My gift to them in return is sharing my knowledge of music history, and any business practices that will help them sustain a career in the industry.
As Chalamet’s Dylan reminds us in “A Complete Unknown,” listening to the youth is your best opportunity to learn about current trends. That’s where you will find the most relevant opinions on what’s accepted as “cool” in today’s music world, and thanks to Chalamet, Bob Dylan is trending again. The rearview mirror has once again become the guide.
The most important role for any arts educator is that of a great listener, because students are teaching us as well. It makes no difference whether we understand the things that inspire our students to “go for it,” it only matters that they do. Once they see that we are listening to them, trust is established, and they, in turn, listen to us. Right now, they are telling us (with the guidance of one of their favorite A-list actors) that Bob Dylan is relevant once again. In truth, of course, we know he always was.
Celebrating uniqueness, despite that uniqueness sometimes causing struggles for independent artists, is the whole point of “A Complete Unknown.” Dylan was an agent of change. He saw and felt things differently than the majority, and most importantly, he was true to these feelings and his vision, despite whatever resistance he met. One of the trends that I am witnessing among rising artists is a return to classic formats, while many turn away from production overkill. That’s not to suggest that overproduction is waning in any way, shape, or form. It’s here to stay, because technology is way too intoxicating. That being said, that’s also exactly why the popularity of “A Complete Unknown” among young people is so intriguing.
Trends come and go, but uniqueness is not a trend. So unless I’m crazy, songwriting and authenticity are back in vogue. We owe Timothée Chalamet a debt of thanks for reminding us that creativity will always remain relevant, and legends never go out of style.
And, it might be time to stock up on acoustic guitars.
