How many donuts must a man dunk in coffee before you call him a fan?
Only Bob Dylan knows the answer. But the legendary singer-songwriter—and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature—evidently has a deep and abiding love for a certain Massachusetts-based coffee and pastry chain.
On the dedication page for his new book, The Philosophy of Modern Song, Dylan gives a shoutout to “all the crew at Dunkin’ Donuts.” (The musician evidently didn’t get the memo that the chain changed its name to simply Dunkin’ in 2019.)
The Philosophy of Modern Song, a series of essays about songs by other musicians living and dead, was published Tuesday by Simon & Schuster. In a starred review, a Kirkus critic said the book “offers an extensive hodgepodge of illustrations and photographs alongside rich, image-laden, impressionistic prose.”
Dylan’s professed admiration for the chain caught the notice of Twitter, with one account noting, “Not a lot of writers are so interesting that even their dedication page is hilariously weird, but there goes Bob Dylan giving a special thanks at the top of his book to ‘all the crew at Dunkin' Donuts.’"
A spokesperson for Simon & Schuster told the Boston Globe that the dedication page being shared on social media was authentic. “Among others, the line ‘all the crew at Dunkin’ Donuts’ appears on the dedication page,” the publisher said. “We can offer no further insight.”
The Globe contacted a Dunkin’ location near Malibu, California, where Dylan reportedly lives, for comment. Alas, they had none.
Only time will tell if Dylan’s dedication will lead to a potentially amazing collaboration. Perhaps a commercial with America’s second most famous Dunkin’ fan? Or a promotion for Tangled Up in Blueberry Cake donuts? Get on this, Dunkin’. Don’t think twice. It’s all right.
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
