Context

This line is from the song "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan, from his album Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963).

This line can basically mean whatever you want it to mean. Ask a civil rights activist and it's about equality. Ask a pacifist and it's about stopping wars. Ask a New Ager and it's about spiritual enlightenment. So trying to wrap your brain around just one meaning is like cooking with Teflon—nothing sticks.

What does songwriter Bob Dylan have to say? Before his first performance of the song in a smoky Greenwich Village coffee house, circa 1962, Dylan said, "This here ain't no protest song, 'cause I don't write no protest songs." (Oh really Bob? You've got some splainin' to do.)

Dylan has admitted to writing the lyrics just minutes before performing it. He also stated that his handwriting was so bad, he had to improvise some words. Apparently that bad handwriting worked out pretty well for this hit song.

Where you've heard it

If you live in tornado alley, you probably hate hearing this line. What's blowin' in the wind could be deadly. Or, if you have allergies, then your doctor probably told you all that pollen blowing in the wind is causing your sniffling.

Additional Notable References:

• Friendly bugs?
• Even Jimmy Fallon likes channeling Bob Dylan.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Just make sure you brought along your guitar for the jam session at the senior citizens center. And don't forget to stay for the potluck afterwards!