On Bob Dylan’s self-titled debut album in 1962, there are only two original songs. One is a tribute to his songwriting hero, “Song To Woody.” The other is “Talkin’ New York,” a funny talking blues, a form he picked up from listening to Woody.

I love to listen to songs, but more often, I would forget the lyrics with the melody haunting my mind and keep wondering what is this song. The tune would be stuck in my head, and the only way to find out the song would be to think of a keyword or ask a ...