Bob Dylan released his debut, self-titled album when he was about 21. Taylor was 17 when her's dropped. Both artists were, in their relative youth, quickly elevated to superstar status. The message of their music reached millions. Dylan eschewed (or at least seemed confused by) his spokesperson status. By contrast, Taylor seemed to have a sense of humor about it. Whether they wanted to or not, both singer-songwriters came to stand for some kind of generational zeitgeist -- so I think it's interesting to compare the way they expressed themselvesOn The Experience of LongingSwift:

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile

So good to me, so right

And how you held me in your arms that September night

The first time you ever saw me cry

Maybe this is wishful thinking

Probably mindless dreaming

But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right...

Dylan:

I can still hear the sounds of those Methodist bells

I'd taken the cure and had just gotten through

Staying up for day in the Chelsea Hotel

Writing "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" for youOn What Love Actually Looks LikeSwift:

Flash forward and we're taking on the world together

And there's a drawer of my things at your place

You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded

You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes

Dylan:

My love she speaks like silence

Without ideals or violence

She doesn’t have to say she’s faithful

Yet she’s true, like ice, like fire

People carry roses

Make promises by the hours

My love she laughs like the flowers

Valentines can’t buy herOn How It Feels After a RelationshipSwift:

And I heard you moved on

From whispers on the street

A new notch in your belt

Is all I'll ever be

And now I see, now I see, now I see

He was long gone

When he met me

And I realize the joke is on me

Dylan:

It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe

It don’t matter, anyhow

An’ it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe

If you don’t know by now

When your rooster crows at the break of dawn

Look out your window and I’ll be gone

You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on

Don’t think twice, it’s all rightOn Generously Saying Goodbye aka Moving OnSwift:

And we walked down the block, to my car

And I almost brought him up

But you start to talk about the movies

That your family watches every single Christmas

And I want to talk about that

And for the first time

What's past is past

Dylan:

Go lightly from the ledge, babe

Go lightly on the ground

I’m not the one you want, babe

I will only let you down

You say you’re lookin’ for someone

Who will promise never to part

Someone to close his eyes for you

Someone to close his heart