Crucial Track for 07 January 2026

"Diamonds And Rust" by Joan Baez

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What song makes you want to write poetry?

I listened to this radio documentary over the weekend - BBC Soul Music - Diamonds and Rust . If you don't know the story behind the song, then it's a good place to start.

I like the way the song starts with the specific - Bob calls 'from a booth in the mid-West' - and then reflects on their relationship, and on relationships in general.

Bob may have thought Joan's poetry was lousy, but if was going to write, I'd like to write poetry like hers.