Covering Dylan

Bob Dylan…One of the greatest songwriters of our time…(although early in his career, he relied on 12-bar blues patterns WAAAAY too much). Over the years there have been countless artists covering his work. In this article, I would like to pick out and compare some well known ones, and some of the offbeat ones as well.




1. All I Really Want To Do: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Byrds on the lp, Mr Tambourine Man: The Byrds covered like 400 Dylan songs, but this stands out as my favorite. At this period in Dylan’s early career, this was just another acoustically, chingy, poem-y, Dylan tune. The Byrds put some life into the song, not to mention the compressed Rickenbacker 12 string of love!!!!

2. It Ain’t Me Babe: Off of Another Side of Bob Dylan: Covered by The Turtles on the lp It Ain’t Me Babe: One of the more melodic Dylan acoustic numbers that the Turtles popped up and made a hit back in 1965. They also covered a shitload of his songs. I prefer the Dylan version here, but I heard the Turtles version first, so it has a special place in my heart

3. Mr. Tambourine Man: Off of Bringing It Back Home: Covered by the Byrds on the lp Untitled: Obviously this was the cover that put the Byrds on the map, but in this case I am referring to a live version on this classically underrated album. At this point Roger McGuinn was the only original member left, and he replaced everyone with some kick-ass musicians as the focus of the band shifted from heavy vocals, to expert musicianship. This version rocks ever so subtley! The Dylan version kind of goes on for 3 hrs.

4. It’s all Over Now Baby Blue: Off of Bringing It All Back Home: Covered by Richie Havens on the lp Stonehenge : Havens covered his fair share of Dylan but this is one of my favorites. Havens has such a gravelly angelic voice, it simply needs to be heard. I could do with a little less of the orchestration, but he lets it fly here. Dylan’s version is equally magnificent. One of his best set of lyrics…because you know…he can write….

5. Like a Rolling Stone: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Bowie and Mick Ronson on the Mick Ronson lp, Heaven and Hull: There are many kick-ass versions of this one, Hendrix, the Stones do a great version on Stripped, but this is a obscure little gem of the posthumous aforementioned album from the great Mick Ronson. This is pure rock and roll, plus Bowie brings it home here. This is a MUST listen for fans of both!

6. Highway 61 Revisited: Off of Highway 61 Revisited: Covered by Johnny Winter on the lp, Second Winter: Johnny kicks the shit out of Dylan here, I’m sorry. I have been recently been getting into Johnny Winter and he simply defines the term “rippin’ it up”. If he lived in Wisconsin, he would be “Ripon it up”. Dylan does his job here, but you can’t crank it, like the Winter version!

7. All Along the Watchtower: Off of John Wesley Harding: Covered by some guy named JIMI HENDRIX on the lp, Electric Ladyland: This is a classic example of how the cover became his own. Everyone has heard the Hendrix version. Any depiction of the 60s, or drugs, or Vietnam in film or tv must have this song playing over it. Sorry Bob, this is Jimi’s song now.

8. Tonight, I’ll Be Staying Here With You: Off of Nashville Skyline: Covered by The Jeff Beck Group off the lp, The Jeff Beck Group: This is another little known gem. First of all the Dylan version is fucking awesome, from an awesome album that is like 20 minutes long both sides! Jeff slows it down here and wails away tastefully. This is an album you should really have in your collection. There are a ton of great songs on this one.

9. If Not For You: Off of New Morning: Covered by George Harrison off the lp, All Things Must Pass: The Dylan version is rather boring quite frankly, as George incorporates his trademark songs stylings on this. He makes the song a tad more melodic, plus he’s got that classic Harrison voice. This is one of the few cases where overproduction works.

10. Knocking On Heaven’s Door: Off of The soundtrack to Pat Garret and Billy the Kid: Covered by every Goddam Heavy Metal Band Ever! Apparently, most bands thought Dylan’s version was too short..I mean, it’s over before you know it, but it works out perfectly, and if you saw the movie, it’s used to perfection! Covered by bands like Guns ‘N Roses, and Heaven. They feel the need to insert 25 solos in it. I’m all for solos, but they don’t always work here. I also am no a fan of Axl’s “Hey, hey…heyheyhey”