Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Margo Price: Some Of 2022’s Notable Music Books

2022 not only saw some major music releases from big-name stars like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Bad Bunny, but the year also brought out books about music itself. From memoirs to histories to biographies, these illuminating titles cover such genres as rock, country, glam and punk. Presented here in no particular ranking is a partial list of noteworthy reads that will appeal to the bookish music nerds in all of us.

Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be

by Marissa R. Moss

Journalist Marissa R. Moss’ compelling book focuses on today’s country music industry, particularly one that generally favors male musicians over female acts when it comes to radio airplay and promotion. In fact, women in country music are unfairly held to a different set of standards compared to their male counterparts and reap less of the rewards. Through the remarkable stories of musicians Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris and others, the author describes how a number of these young courageous women are challenging the industry status quo through their songs and by going outside of the Nashville machinery in order to achieve recognition and success. In the process, they paved the way for more inclusion within a traditionally conservative and insular music community.

My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family

by Nabil Ayers

Indie record exec Nabil Ayers’ memoir examines his complicated relationship (or specifically lack of one) with his father, the famed R&B musician Roy Ayers, revealing moments that are both poignant and heartbreaking. My Life in the Sunshine (whose title is from the lyrics of Roy’s signature song “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”) delves into Nabil’s racial identity as the son of a Black father and white mother as well as his search for answers regarding his family’s history. It’s a perfect complement to Michelle Zauner’s 2021 memoir, Crying in H Mart, when it comes to exploring the complexities of family relationships and heritage.

The Philosophy of Modern Song

by Bob Dylan

His first book since 2004’s Chronicles, Bob Dylan’s The Philosophy of Modern Song is a collection of his essays on what he considers notable songs spanning the history of popular music—from the earliest songwriters such as Stephen Foster (“Nelly Was a Lady”) to more contemporary artists like Jackson Browne (“The Pretender”). In between are Dylan’s colorful musings on songs recorded by a diverse range of musicians including Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Perry Como, Ricky Nelson, Nina Simone and the Clash. Though there is some historical context provided, it’s Dylan’s distinctive, wry and even funny commentary about each song’s subject matter and the performers are what makes this collection an entertaining read.

The Islander: My Life in Music and Beyond

by Chris Blackwell with Paul Morley

When he founded Island in 1959, the British entrepreneur Chris Blackwell built one of the most preeminent record labels in the music industry, particularly one that brought reggae music to the forefront especially with Bob Marley. Over the decades, Island gradually evolved into a major label for rock and pop music–among the iconic acts who recorded for Island included U2, Traffic, Melissa Etheridge, Nick Drake, Grace Jones, Robert Palmer and Roxy Music. Blackwell shares his memories of Island and its associated artists in his fascinating memoir.

From Manchester With Love: The Life and Opinions of Tony Wilson

by Paul Morley

Legendary British music journalist Paul Morley knew the late Tony Wilson going back to the 1970s punk era. Decades later, Morley wrote what may be the definitive biography of the colorful TV broadcaster turned co-founder of the famed indie label Factory Records, whose roster included Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. From Manchester With Love examines Wilson’s idiosyncratic life and career while confirming his status as the unofficial ambassador of his hometown Manchester.

Lady Gaga: Applause

by Annie Zaleski

In the capable hands of music journalist Annie Zaleski (Duran Duran: Rio), the story of pop star Lady Gaga is told in this lovely well-written and illustrated biography— from her emergence in the early to mid-2000s while attending NYU to her present status as a music icon and movie star. Avoiding the quickie celebrity book route, Applause invests much time and research to tell a thoughtful biography of Gaga; it is further accentuated by the inclusion of striking photos and an artist discography.

Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Startudst

by David Bowie and Mick Rock

Technically speaking, the photo-illustrated Moonage Daydream first came out in 2002 but was republished this year to mark the 50^th anniversary of David Bowie’s classic album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Featuring commentary by the late legend himself (the closest that fans will ever get to a memoir) and the iconic images of esteemed photographer Mick Rock, Moonage Daydream is a dazzling look back at one of the singer’s most memorable phases of his career—the persona that made him an international superstar.

Adventures in Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT

By Trevor Horn

The legendary British producer/musician Trevor Horn left a huge imprint on popular music for the last 40 years, especially during the 1980s. His production credits on some of the most memorable hit singles in the U.K. and U.S. are absolutely staggering: Yes’ “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” ABC’s “Poison Arrow,” Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax,” Seal’s “Crazy,” Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and Rod Stewart’s “Downtown Train.” If that wasn’t enough, Horn was a member of the Buggles that recorded the classic 1979 pop single “Video Killed the Radio Star.” His memoir, Adventures in Modern Recording, details the stories behind the making of those hits and his collaborations with many diverse stars in music from Paul McCartney to Belle and Sebastian.

Maybe We’ll Make It: A Memoir

By Margo Price

Not only is she mentioned in Marissa R. Moss’s book Her Country, but the acclaimed country singer Margo Price has penned her own story in this heartfelt and moving book. Maybe We’ll Make It is appropriately titled because it documents the plucky Price’s hardscrabble early life and the difficult and challenging roads that she and her musician husband faced to eke out a living in the music business without sacrificing their artistic integrity (There is one tragic episode described later in the book that will rip your heart out). Like Her Country, Maybe We’ll Make is a story about perseverance and believing in one’s self amid personal and professional obstacles.

Electronically Yours, Vol. 1

By Martyn Ware

Not many musicians get a second act in a career. But the British keyboardist Martyn Ware did get another chance at success with the Sheffield-based synthpop trio Heaven 17 after he and Ian Craig Marsh left the Human League. In his recent autobiography Electronically Yours, Ware (who also hosts a podcast of the same name) recalls the early 1980s synthpop revolution and his time with the League and Heaven 17–the latter group achieving such U.K. hits as “Temptation,” “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang,” “Temptation” and “Let Me Go.” Craig also served as a record producer for such acts as Tina Turner and Sananda Maitreya (the artist formerly known as Terence Trent D’arby), both of whom are also mentioned in Ware’s book.