Bob Dylan silences haters who think he sings 'like a frog'

(Image credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

published 8 February 2015

Bob Dylan doesn't get why critics hate his voice but love Tom Waits' guttural warbling.

In a speech as long and meandering as some of his best-known songs, Dylan on Friday thanked the many people who influenced and propelled his career while accepting an award at the Grammys' annual charity event. But the musician also took time during his 35-minute-long remarks to call out the critics who think he mangles melodies and garbles words.

Critics say I can't sing. I croak. Sound like a frog. Why don't critics say that same thing about Tom Waits? Critics say my voice is shot. That I have no voice. Why don't they say those things about Leonard Cohen? Why do I get special treatment? Critics say I can't carry a tune and I talk my way through a song. Really? I've never heard that said about Lou Reed. Why does he get to go scot-free? [The Los Angeles Times]

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Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.