Bob Dylan Shades Joe Satriani in His New Book
Bob Dylan just released his new book The Philosophy of Modern Song. The book contains 60 essays and breakdowns of 60 different songs. The book also contains several pointed comments aimed at various musicians. One of them happens to be guitarist Joe Satriani.
Rolling Stone shared a brief excerpt from Dylan’s book that features the dig at Satriani. In the book’s chapter about Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Dylan writes, “Each phrase goes hand in hand with the voice…If Hank was to sing this song and you had somebody like Joe Satriani playing the answer licks to the vocal, like they do in a lot of blues bands, it just wouldnât work and would be a waste of a great song.”
Rolling Stone ended up reaching out to Satriani for comments. The guitarist seemed thrilled about how “Bob Dylan knows my name.” However, he responds to his criticism by saying, “I think the great Hank Williams and I could have sorted things out and made some great music together”.
Satriani was seemingly mentioned at random, but one musician that was both praised and criticized was Elvis Costello. One of the chapters in the book highlights is Costello’s “Pump It Up.” Dylan refers to the track as “among his very best.” At the same time, he wrote Costello “obviously had been listening to Springsteen too much” when he recorded it.
So, what did we learn today? Bob Dylan is such a warm, cuddly teddy bear, isn’t he?
Bob Dylan: The Best Versions Of His 80 Best Songs
Bob Dylan: his voice isn’t for everyone, but you can’t deny his songwriting ability. In his six decades of making music, he’s been covered by a huge range of artists, including Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder, Heart with Layne Staley, U2, Elvis Presley, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Silversun Pickups, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and many more. There’s a reason why he recently sold his music publishing for a rumored nine-figure deal.
With that in mind, we thought we’d celebrate his birthday with a list of the best versions of his 80 best songs. So, it’s a mix Dylan’s versions, and a few of his live performances as well and lots of covers by the aforementioned artists.
And yes, we know that some Dylanologists will be mad that some of the “classics” are missing (we just don’t love “Just Like A Woman” or “Mr. Tamborine Man” as much as everyone else). We love some of the material from the second half of his career as much as the music from his more celebrated first half. We love the covers, and we gave them extra points in some cases for introducing his music to younger generations. And with that, let’s start with number eighty.
80 Bob Dylan – âMozambiqueâ from âDesireâ (1976)
ShareAs close as Dylan ever got to Jimmy Buffett, this is a breezy tune about âmagic in a magical land.â Itâs the second song on âDesireâ; the politically charged âHurricaneâ was the first, so itâs understandable that he might want to offset that song with something lighter.
79. Miley Cyrus – âYouâre Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Goâ from âChimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty Internationalâ (2012)
ShareYes, Miley Cyrus. For just a moment forget everything you know about her. She was 20 when this came out, and she got off the wrecking ball for long enough to remind everyone what a great singer she is.
78. My Chemical Romance – âDesolation Rowâ from the âWatchmenâ soundtrack (2009)
ShareItâs understandable that new generations of rock fans might reject Dylan; who wants to listen to their parentsâ music. Or their grandparentsâ music? But all it takes is a heavy band like MCR to bring Dylanâs songs to new audiences.
77. Marcus Mumford and the Basement Tapes – âKansas Cityâ (featuring Johnny Depp and Haim) from âLost On The River: The New Basement Tapesâ (2014)
ShareThis album saw Mumford (at the peak of Mumford and Sons fame), Elvis Costello, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Rhiannon Giddens and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes composing music to newly uncovered Bob Dylan lyrics... from 1967. This song, featuring Johnny Depp on electric guitar and the Haim sisters on backing vocals, was the highlight.
76. Siouxsie & the Banshees – âThis Wheelâs On Fireâ from âThrough The Looking Glassâ (1987)
ShareMost generations and scenes have some reverence for Dylan, but that wasnât the cast for the post-punk/goth scene of the late â70s and early â80s. Indeed, when Siouxsie & the Banshees decided to cover this song, they didnât realize that it was by Bob Dylan; they liked British singer Julie Driscollâs version and didnât think about who wrote it.
75. The Traveling Wilburys – âIf You Belonged To Meâ from âVol. 3â (1990)
ShareIt was always fun to try and figure out who wrote what in the Wilburys. But âIf You Belonged to Me â was very much a Dylan song (and he did all of the lead vocals). Years later, when George Harrison showed up at a VH1 studio accompanying Ravi Shankar (to help promote Shankarâs album), he agreed to grab an acoustic guitar and play a few songs, including this one.
74. Chris Martin – âShelter From The Stormâ – from âSaturday Night Liveâ April 11, 2020
ShareRecorded by Chris Martin for the first episode of 'Saturday Night Live at Home,' Martin's cover of "Shelter From The Storm" was comforting at a time when we needed that.
73. Bob Dylan – âStanding In The Doorwayâ from âTime Out Of Mindâ (1997)
ShareIt sounds like a stream of consciousness journal entry from someone drinking away his sorrows; he just canât let go of the memory of the one who, according to the narrator, âleft me standin' in the doorway cryin'/Under the midnight moon.â Meanwhile, heâs got other troubles on his mind: âMaybe they'll get me and maybe they won't/But not tonight and it won't be here/There are things I could say, but I don't/I know the mercy of God must be near.â
72. Bob Dylan – âIt Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cryâ from âHighway 61 Revisitedâ (1965)
ShareItâs a rare laid back moment on the aggressive âHighway 61 Revisitedâ album, but the last line is a kicker: âI wanna be your lover, baby, I donât wanna be your boss/Donât say I never warned you, when your train gets lost.â
71. The Traveling Wilburys – âCongratulationsâ from âVol. 1â (1988)
ShareOr, âHow Dylan got his groove back.â Itâs not a stretch to say that as the â80s went on, Dylan seemed less inspired, but by joining this supergroup â which also included one of his idols, Roy Orbison, as well as George Harrison, Tom Petty and Electric Light Orchestraâs Jeff Lynne, he seemed to find new inspiration. This was his best contribution to the first album (although the Springsteen parody âTweeter and the Monkey Manâ was definitely funny).
70. Them – âItâs All Over Now, Baby Blueâ from âThem Againâ (1966)
ShareDecades before Van Morrison became the musical equivalent of âman who shakes fist at cloud,â Van fronted a pretty rocking band called Them. (OK, heâs made a lot of amazing music in the decades since.) If Themâs version sounds familiar, it might be because it was prominently sampled in Beckâs 1996 song âJackass,â from his âOdelayâ album.
69. Bob Dylan – âThe Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carrollâ from âThe Times They Are A-Changin’â (1964)
ShareA harrowing account of the killing of Black barmaid Hattie Carroll by 24-year-old William Zantzinger, âwho at twenty-four years [old], owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres/With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him/And high office relations in the politics of Maryland, reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders.â The song isnât totally accurate: while Dylan sings that he was charged with first degree murder, he was actually charged with second degree murder. But other than that, he cuts to the heart of a painful and tragic story about race in America.
68. Bob Dylan – âWhen The Ship Comes Inâ from âThe Times They Are A-Changin’â (1964)
ShareLegend has it that Dylan wrote this song after being refused service at a hotel due to his messy appearance. When he wrote âThe sands will roll/Out a carpet of gold/For your weary toes to be a-touchin'â maybe he was imagining that one day, heâd sell his publishing catalog for hundreds of millions of dollars!
67. Concrete Blonde – âSimple Twist Of Fateâ from âStill In Hollywoodâ (1994)
ShareA song about a relationship that was never going to work out. Johnette Napolitano sings it as if sheâs lived every word.
66. Rise Against – âThe Ballad of Hollis Brownâ from âChimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty Internationalâ (2012)
ShareA devastating song about a farmer who succumbs to despair; things on the farm arenât working out and heâs got five children to feed. Thatâs where the story starts, and it just gets darker from there. The timeless song was brought to a new generation with this punk rock cover.
65. Rod Stewart – âOnly A Hoboâ from âGasoline Alleyâ (1970)
ShareDylan originally wrote this song for âThe Times They Are A-Changin'â but didnât release it until 1991. Stewartâs version is the definitive one, and the best of all of Rodâs Dylan covers.
64. Elvis Presley – âTomorrow Is A Long Timeâ from âSpinoutâ (1966)
ShareLike everyone else of his generation, Dylan was profoundly influenced by Elvis, and he was thrilled that âThe Kingâ recorded one of his songs. By 1966, though, Presley was only a shadow of his â50s self. However, he seemed to summon back his mojo for this stripped-down ballad.
63. Derek Trucks Band â âDown In The Floodâ from âAlready Freeâ (2009)
ShareDylan recorded a few versions of this song over the years, but DTB singer Mike Mattison does a commanding vocal take here, and of course, Derek Trucksâ slide guitar is stellar.
62. Bruce Springsteen – âChimes Of Freedomâ from the âChimes Of Freedomâ EP (1988)
ShareA folk song that Dylan recorded for 1964âs âAnother Side Of Bob Dylan,â Springsteen transformed it into a stadium anthem. The song provided the title for the 1988 Amnesty International tour that Springsteen headlined. Every night on the tour, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman and Yousou NâDour would join the E Street Band for a rousing version.
61. The Black Keys – âThe Wicked Messengerâ from âIâm Not There (Music From The Motion Picture)â (2007)
ShareA song with lots of Biblical references, some believe that Dylan himself was âthe wicked messenger.â The Black Keys give the song a bit of extra menace, turning it into a ragged blues stomp.
60. The White Stripes – âIsisâ (they often played it live on their 2001 tour)
ShareThe White Stripes also covered âOne More Cup Of Coffeeâ but this track â originally from 1976âs âDesireâ -- was their best Dylan cover. Had Dylan heard the White Stripesâ covers of his songs? Maybe, and he was certainly familiar with the band: on March 17, 2004, Dylan had Jack White join him on stage for the White Stripesâ âBall and Biscuit.â Whiteâs other band, the Raconteurs, opened for Dylan in 2006.
59. Tim Timebomb & Friends – âBuckets Of Rainâ (single, 2012)
ShareRancid is one of the most consistently traditional punk rock bands of the post-Clash era but front man Tim Armstrong (sometimes known as âTim Timebombâ) could also play beautiful acoustic jams, as he does here.
58. Chris Cornell – âI Threw It All Awayâ (he played it on his acoustic tours)
ShareWow. It hits differently now. You can find it on YouTube.
57. Johnny Cash – âWanted Manâ from âJohnny Cash At San Quentinâ
ShareDylan could never sing this song with the authority that Cash brings to it, and certainly not to a captive audience at a prison.
56. PJ Harvey â Highway 61 Revisited from âRid Of Meâ (1993)
ShareâGod said to Abraham, 'Kill me a son'/Abe says, 'Man, you must be puttin' me on!'â sounded scary when Dylan sang it, but terrifying when PJ Harvey growled it.
55. Susan Tedeschi – âLord Protect My Childâ from âHope And Desireâ (2005)
ShareDylan recorded it during the â80s, but didnât release it until 1991âs âThe Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3.â This version by Susan Tedeschi, featuring her husband Derek Trucks and jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, has extra weight: Tedeschi was a new mother at the time. This recording was used in âNot My Life,â a 2011 documentary about human trafficking.
54. Bob Dylan – âHigh Water (For Charley Patton)â from âLove And Theftâ (2001)
ShareâLove And Theftâ has a sense of impending disaster, especially on this song. And it's absolutely haunting, in retrospect, that the album was released on 9/11.
53. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – “License To Kill” from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareA song from 1983âs âInfidels,â it might be telling a story of one person who is âhell-bent for destruction, heâs afraid and confused, and his brain has been mismanaged with great skill.â But itâs likely a metaphor for society addicted to violence and imperialism.
52. Willie Nelson â âWhat Was It You Wanted?â from âAcross The Borderlineâ (1993)
ShareFrom Dylanâs 1989 classic âOh Mercy,â Willieâs deadpan delivery fits the weariness of someone having yet another disagreement with their partner, knowing that the relationship is circling the drain.
51. Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples – âGonna Change My Way Of Thinkingâ from âGotta Serve Somebody: The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylanâ (2003)
Share'Gotta Serve Somebodyâ featured gospel acts covering songs from Dylanâs Christian phase. This song , from the âSlow Train Comingâ album, sees Bob joining gospel legend Mavis Staples (who he proposed to in the â60s; she turned him down). The song starts with a funny skit with the two bantering together, before they launch into a guitar heavy version of the song. Dylan clearly liked the arrangement â he began playing this version on tour soon after this recording.
52. Willie Nelson â âWhat Was It You Wanted?â from âAcross The Borderlineâ (1993)
ShareFrom Dylanâs 1989 classic âOh Mercy,â Willieâs deadpan delivery fits the weariness of someone having yet another disagreement with their partner, knowing that the relationship is circling the drain.
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49. Ben Waters featuring the Rolling Stones – âWatching The River Flowâ from âBoogie 4 Stuâ (2011)
ShareFirst question: who is Ben Waters, and how did he get the Rolling Stones to guest on this song? Heâs a boogie-woogie pianist who plays in some of Charlie Wattsâ projects. This album was a tribute to the Stonesâ late piano player (and road manager) Ian Stewart. This song features not only Charlie Watts, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, but also former bass player Bill Wyman, playing with those guys on a recording for the first time in about two decades. They covered âWatching The River Flowâ because Stewart allegedly said that it was âthe only decent thing Bob Dylan ever did!â
48. Bob Dylan âJohn Brownâ from âMTV Unpluggedâ (1995)
ShareAn anti-war song written by Dylan in 1962, but he never released it on an album until his âMTV Unpluggedâ in 1995. Itâs a devastating story about a mother who happily sends her son to war. When he returns, the reunion doesnât go as she expected.
47. Bob Dylan – âSong To Woodyâ from âBob Dylanâ (1962)
ShareGenerations of songwriters have looked up to Dylan, but he had his own heroes, including folk legend Woody Guthrie. This was one of only two originals on Dylanâs self-titled debut.
46. Bob Dylan – âI Contain Multitudesâ from âRough and Rowdy Waysâ (2020)
ShareThe Dylan-based film âIâm Not Thereâ made the point that Bob Dylan has played so many âcharactersâ over the course of his nearly-60 year career, so they cast a number of actors â including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Heath Ledger â to play different incarnations. So yeah, Dylan does contain multitudes. And multitudes of famous names are dropped here: Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Frank, Indiana Jones, the Rolling Stones, Beethoven and Chopin.
45 Silversun Pickups – âNot Dark Yetâ from âChimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty Internationalâ (2012)
ShareDylan was in his 50s when he wrote this song that looked at his own mortality. Silversun Pickups frontman Brian Aubert was in his 30s when he recorded this cover, and yet heâs able to bring gravitas to a song that a 30 year old shouldnât really be able to relate to.
44 Tom Morello – âBlind Willie McTellâ from âChimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty Internationalâ (2012)
ShareTom Morello has gone on record (including to this writer) saying, âI may be the last person alive who still believes that Dylan sold out at Newport in 1965 when he went electric.â And yes, this is Tom Morello from Audioslave and Rage Against The Machine. Yes, this is Tom Morello, one of the last true guitar heroes. On the other hand, Rage noted that there were "no samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this record" on their debut album, and here, Morello is using drum loops. But hey, we all evolve, Tom! Seriously, he does a great job with this classic jam, which Dylan recorded in 1983, but didnât release until 1991âs âThe Bootleg Series 1-3.â Tom's version sounds a bit like if Leonard Cohen fronted Massive Attack and they hired a face melting guitarist.
43. Bob Dylan and the Band – âBallad Of A Thin Man (live)â from âBefore The Floodâ (1974)
ShareThe Band helped Dylan to make his intimate songs into arena rock anthems on this album; it didnât always work, but it definitely did with âBallad of a Thin Man.â Of course, Dylan didnât like the album.
42 Bob Dylan – âSilvioâ from âDown In The Grooveâ (1988)
ShareCo-written with Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, and featuring the Deadâs Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir and Brent Mydland on backing vocals, it became a hard rocking staple of Dylanâs tours for years afterwards. It was also the first Dylan song in years to get radio play.
41 Bob Dylan – âLove Sickâ from âTime Out Of Mindâ (1997
ShareThe opening song from Dylanâs classic 1997 album made it clear from the first notes that, 35 years into his career, he still had amazing songs in him. The song might be most famous for its use in a Victoriaâs Secret commercial. Or for Dylanâs performance at the Grammy Awards, where he was interrupted by âSoy Bomb.â (Google it if you donât know what weâre talking about.) The album went on to win three awards that night, including Album of the Year. It was also voted album of the year in the often-snobby Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll.
40. Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead – âSlow Trainâ from âDylan & the Deadâ (1989)
ShareRecorded on the 1987 tour where the Grateful Dead was Dylanâs backing band. Frankly most of the album was pretty lackluster, and allegedly, so was the tour. But âSlow Trainâ somehow clicked and had a greater sense of urgency than the studio version from 1979âs âSlow Train Coming.â This song is one of the definite highlights of his Christian era.
39 Jeff Buckley – âIf You See Her, Say Helloâ from âLive At Sin-E, New York, NY (Legacy Edition)â (2003)
ShareA solo live performance featuring the late Buckley accompanying himself on electric guitar. This is one of the most tragic songs about being dumped, and Buckleyâs performance is devastating.
38 Chris Whitley – âSpanish Harlem Incidentâ from âPerfect Dayâ (2000)
ShareThe late Chris Whitley told this writer that the lyrics to this song are âso ridiculously good, it almost makes me want to quit writing songs.â Itâs one of Dylanâs most romantic songs... or is it? Dylan has said that he doesnât know what the song is about.
37 Buddy Guy – âLay Lady Lay (featuring Anthony Hamilton and Robert Randolph)â from âBring âEm Inâ (2005)
ShareThe original âLay Lady Layâ from 1969âs âNashville Skylineâ sported one of Dylanâs sweetest vocal performances, but here, Buddy Guy and Anthony Hamiltonâs duet makes it even sweeter.
36 Bob Dylan – âDuquesne Whistleâ from âTempestâ (2012)
ShareA joyous ragtime-era sounding song, Dylan almost sounds like heâs paying tribute to Louis Armstrong. Itâs one of a few that Dylan has co-written with the Grateful Deadâs Robert Hunter.
35 Willie Nelson and Calexico – âSenor (Tales Of Yankee Power)â from âIâm Not There (Music From the Motion Picture)â (2007)
ShareWillie Nelson was the perfect guy to sing this Tex-Mex flavored ballad, and he worked so well with Calexico, who specialize in that sound.
34 The Dead Weather – âNew Ponyâ from âHorehoundâ (2009)
ShareThe Dead Weather, of course, is one of Jack Whiteâs bands â he plays drums and sings backing vocals. The real star here is singer Alison Mosshart. But really, the entire band brings a lot more muscle to the original.
33 David Bowie – âTrying To Get To Heavenâ (recorded in 1998, released as a single in 2021)
ShareBowie was a long-time Dylan fan, releasing âSong For Bob Dylanâ on his 1971 album, âHunky Dory.â Clearly he remained a fan through the years; he recorded this song a year after Dylan released it on 1997âs âTime Out Of Mind.â Itâs a great cover (and Dylanâs original is amazing)⊠but obviously it hits differently now, being released almost exactly five years after his passing.
32 Lenny Kravitz – âRainy Day Women #12 & 35â from âChimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring Amnesty Internationalâ (2012)
ShareDylan doesnât have too many party jams, but this is definitely one of them. Everyone loves singing along to the chorus: âEverybody must get stoned!â Although he may not be only referring to smoking, he could be talking about getting stoned in the Biblical sense. He wrote this after heâd gone electric, and lot of his former folk fans were furious at the time.
31 Sheryl Crow – âMississippiâ from âThe Globe Sessionsâ (1998)
ShareDylan gave this one to his former opening act, Sheryl Crow, before he even released it himself on 2001âs âLove And Theft.â (He originally tried it out for 1997âs âTime Out Of Mindâ but wasnât satisfied with his original version.) The Dixie Chicks covered it, as did Ryan Adams, but Crowâs version remains the best one.
30. Heart featuring Layne Staley – âRing Them Bellsâ from âDesire Walks Onâ (1993)
ShareHeart originally recorded this song from 1989âs âOh Mercyâ with Chris Cornell, but they ended up releasing another version with Layne Staley (hopefully the Cornell version will see the light of day at some point). Layneâs angsty vocals complemented Ann and Nancy Wilsonâs well, with each singer taking a verse. It would have been great to hear more Heart/Layne collaborations.
29 Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – âEverything Is Brokenâ from âTrouble Is…â (1997)
ShareDylanâs original is a surprisingly down-the-middle blues-rock jam, and KWS specialized in that; to many, it was the song that turned them on to this young guitar hero.
27 Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Neil Young – âMy Back Pagesâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareAll-star finales are usually fun, but itâs a âyou had to be thereâ kind of thing. They donât translate into great live recordings. This is a notable exception. One of the last songs from Dylanâs 30th anniversary tribute concert, it was a perfectly âcastâ version of the song. Clapton and Youngâs guitar solos totally complemented each other. âI was so much older then, Iâm younger than that nowâ had a bit more gravitas in â92 than it did in 1964, when Dylan released it as a solo folk song on âAnother Side Of Bob Dylan.â
26 Bob Dylan – âThe Man In Meâ from âNew Morningâ (1970)
ShareThis might have been an overlooked song... until the Coen Brothers used it in the opening credits of their 1998 masterpiece, âThe Big Lebowski.â We could say more, but, hey Dude: letâs go bowling.
25 Jim James and Kesha – âI Shall Be Releasedâ (recorded for the David Lynch Foundation: Meditate America Benefit and Concert) (2020)
ShareMy Morning Jacket frontman has the perfect voice to cover Dylan and pop star Kesha shows a different side of herself in this gospel arrangement of one of Dylanâs greatest anthems. (Kesha has also recorded a great cover of âDonât Think Twice, Itâs All Right.â)
24 Bob Dylan – âI Donât Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)â from âLive 1966: The Royal Albert Hall Concert â The Bootleg Series Vol. 4â (released in 1998)
ShareIt was almost like Dylan was covering himself. The original verion was a solo folk tune from âAnother Side Of Bob Dylan,â but this version, featuring guitarist Robbie Robertson, organist Garth Hudson, pianist Richard Manuel and bassist Rick Danko (who would later form the Band) and drummer Mickey Jones surely shocked the audience, filled with folkies who saw their icon selling out to rock and roll before their eyes.
23 George Harrison – âIf Not For Youâ from âAll Things Must Passâ (1970)
ShareGeorge had started a friendship with Dylan in the later years of the Beatles, and in â70, Dylan gave Harrison this song (Dylan recorded it as well, but Harrisonâs was released first). The music press went nuts over the idea of a Harrison/Dylan collaboration... and nearly two decades later, they were bandmates in the Traveling Wilburys.
22 Jimi Hendrix â âDrifterâs Escapeâ (recorded in 1970; itâs available on the 1997 collection âSouth Saturn Deltaâ)
ShareA great story about someone standing trial and he doesnât even know what the charges are, but he makes an escape when a lightning bolt hits the courthouse. This isnât Hendrixâs best Dylan cover, but itâs a great one.
21 The Byrds – âYou Ainât Goinâ Nowhereâ from âSweetheart of the Rodeoâ (1968)
ShareYou could argue that âcountry rockâ started with âSweetheart of the Rodeo,â the Byrdsâ first album with Gram Parsons. Dylanâs folk version wasnât released until 1971âs âGreatest Hits Vol. IIâ but the Byrdsâ countrified version is the definitive take on the song, and surely the most influential.
20. The OâJays – âEmotionally Yoursâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareThe OâJays originally recorded two versions of this for their 1991 album, âEmotionally Yours,â one with a smooth R&B feel and the other is a gospel version. The gospel version was the better one, but it got better still when they performed it at the Dylan tribute concert a year later, backed by Booker T & The MGs.
19 Robert Plant – âOne More Cup Of Coffeeâ from âDreamlandâ (2002)
ShareThe White Stripes, Roger McGuinn and Tom Jones have all covered it. But Plantâs subtle delivery combined with his bandâs pulling out the middle eastern themes in the music makes this version the definitive one.
18 Bob Dylan – âBeyond Here Lies Nothinââ from âTogether Through Lifeâ (2009)
ShareâTogether Through Lifeâ may be Dylanâs last classic album, possibly thanks to his great choices in collaborators. The Grateful Deadâs Robert Hunter co-wrote most of the album, and the band included Mike Campbell from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on guitar and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos on accordion and guitar. âBeyond Here Lies Nothinââ is a love song, but laced with the fear of losing that relationship. âOh well, I love you, pretty baby/You're the only love I've ever known,â he sings, but then adds, âJust as long as you stay with me.â
17 Neil Young with Booker T & the MGs – âJust Like Tom Thumbâs Bluesâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareNeil had a radio hit with his version of âAll Along The Watchtowerâ from this concert but his other performance, the lesser known âJust Like Tom Thumbâs Blues,â was also excellent. His set worked so well that he hired Booker T & The MGs for his next tour. Younger fans may have recognized the line, âIâm going back to New York City, I do believe Iâve had enoughâ because the Beastie Boys sampled the original, from âHighway 61 Revisited,â on their 1992 song âFinger Lickinâ Good.â
16 Adele – âTo Make You Feel My Loveâ from â19â (2008)
ShareThereâs a lot of competition for the best version of this song: Dylan first gave it to Billy Joel, who recorded it on his 1997 collection, âGreatest Hits, Volume III.â Dylan later did his own version and Joan Osborne, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks have all covered it. But Adeleâs version is the best: and it also introduced the song to a new generation.
15 Bob Dylan – âThings Have Changedâ from âWonder Boys â Music From The Motion Pictureâ (2000)
ShareNearly four decades into his career, Dylan was on a hot streak: following 1997âs âTime Out Of Mind,â which won him Album of the Year at the Grammys, he contributed âThings Have Changedâ to the âWonder Boysâ soundtrack. The song won Dylanâs only Academy Award. And it marked a break from the death and mortality obsessed âTime Out Of Mindâ album. You felt that Dylan was grinning during this song, and as he said, âthings have changed.â
14 The Pretenders – âForever Youngâ from âLast Of The Independentsâ (1994)
ShareOne of the sweetest songs written about parenthood, Chrissie Hynde ditches her usual venom for tenderness on this cover. Lots of people have done this song, including Rod Stewart (who changed the lyrics and ended up with a co-writing credit for his version) but the Pretendersâ take is the most moving.
13 Bob Dylan – âWith God On Our Sideâ from âThe Times They Are A-Changin’â (1964)
ShareThe title is a quote from the Bible (Psalm 108:13), itâs one of the most powerful songs from Dylanâs protest/folk era, and takes a look at how Americans often feel that God will always side with America in any conflict, no matter what. The lyrics reference the slaughter of Native Americans, the Spanish-American War, the Civil War but also the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot. The song inspired Tim Rice to write songs from âJesus Christ Superstarâ from Judas Iscariotâs perspective.
12 U2 – âMaggieâs Farm (live)â (U2 performed the song on the Amnesty Interational Tour in 1986)
ShareU2âs most famous Dylan cover is âAll Along The Watchtower,â but this is their best one (it also quotes a bit of John Lennonâs âCold Turkeyâ). Hopefully theyâll release it one day. Itâs an anthem for anyone treated unfairly by their employer, and that might be why itâs been covered so often, including by Rage Against The Machine, the Specials and Solomon Burke.
11. Bob Dylan – âHurricaneâ – from âDesireâ (1976)
ShareBy the â70s, Dylan wasnât writing protest songs anymore, but when he read about the story of boxer Rubin âHurricaneâ Carter, he was moved to write this. Carter and another man, John Artis, had been charged with a triple murder at the Lafayette Grill in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1966. The following year they were found guilty of the murders. In the next few years, controversy emerged over the case, ranging from allegations of faulty evidence and questionable eyewitness testimony to an unfair trial. Dylanâs song (and a few benefit concerts) drew attention to the Carterâs plight. In 1985 Federal Judge H. Lee Sarokin of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, ruled that Carter had not received a fair trial and overturned the conviction, resulting in Carter's release. He said that the prosecution had been "based on racism rather than reason and concealment rather than disclosure.â The judge apparently never listened to the song, which did have some factual inaccuracies.
10. Billy Joel – âThe Times They Are A-Changin’â from âKohueptâ (1987)
ShareThereâs been tons of covers of this song, but something about Billy Joelâs version, featuring just Billy singing and playing acoustic guitar (not piano!) at a press conference in Russia, as he was going on a six-date tour there, just felt like the most appropriate demonstration of the songâs title.
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Bob Dylan
8. Eric Clapton – âDonât Think Twice, Itâs All Rightâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareBy the early â90s, Clapton was more popular than ever, but his guitar playing lacked the fire of his earlier years. That fire came back in this performance; Clapton took Dylanâs folk song about betrayal, from 1962âs âThe Freewheelinâ Bob Dylan,â and turned it into an explosive blues jam. Itâs not just a great guitar performance, itâs also one of Claptonâs best vocal performances, ever.
7. Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready and G.E. Smith – âMasters Of Warâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareBy the fall of 1992, Eddie Vedder was a pretty huge star: Pearl Jamâs âTenâ was a massively successful debut album, their âMTV Unpluggedâ catapulted them to alterative rockâs A-list and they were one of the highlights of the summerâs Lollapalooza. But he was still a new name to many of the older fans attending this show at New Yorkâs Madison Square Garden, and this performance changed that. A lot of people have covered this song, from folk singer Odetta to proto metal band Mountain. Vedder and McCready have done it with Pearl Jam as well, but itâs this stripped-down version that has the most tension and rage.
6. Guns N Roses – âKnockinâ On Heavenâs Doorâ from âUse Your Illusion IIâ (1991)
ShareGNR started playing this one on their âAppetite For Destructionâ tour, to the surprise of some; it seemed unlikely that this badass rock band from the gutters of L.A. were Dylan fans. And yet, it became one of their signature songs. A live version was released as the B-side to the âWelcome To The Jungleâ 12â and then they did a studio version for the soundtrack of the 1990 Tom Cruise movie âDays Of Thunder.â But this version from âUse Your Illusion IIâ is their best take, and the definitive version of the song. Warren Zevonâs version â a rather literal take from his 2003 swan song âThe Windâ -- does come close though.
5. Bob Dylan – âTangled Up In Blueâ from âBlood On The Tracksâ (1975)
ShareIt seems like itâs a bunch of unrelated stories, but it works perfectly. Dylan allegedly took art classes at Carnegie Hall in 1974 and was influenced by his tutor Norman Raeben, and, in particular Raeben's view of time. In a 1978 interview Dylan explained: "What's different about it is that there's a code in the lyrics, and there's also no sense of time. There's no respect for it. You've got yesterday, today, and tomorrow all in the same room.â Itâs the highlight of a brilliant album - âRolling Stoneâ recently ranked âBlood On The Tracksâ as the 9th best album of all time, the best ranking of all of Dylanâs albums.
4. Stevie Wonder – âBlowinâ In the Windâ from âBob Dylan â 30th Anniversary Celebrationâ (1992)
ShareDylan was a star on the New York folk scene but âBlowinâ In The Windâ made him an instant icon. Dylan released it on 1963âs âThe Freewheelinâ Bob Dylan.â Stevie Wonder first recorded it three years later on his 1966 album, âUptight,â when he was a teenager. But the version he did a quarter of a century later at Dylanâs 30th anniversary concert carried a lot more weight.
3. Bob Dylan – âSubterranean Homesick Bluesâ from âBringing It All Back Homeâ (1965)
ShareIn 1964, Dylan released âAnother Side of Bob Dylan,â another solo acoustic affair. So, itâs hard to imagine how shocking it must have been to hear this electric funky rock jam that kicked off the follow-up album. The song has some of his folk influences, but also adds Jack Kerouac and Chuck Berry (particularly âToo Much Monkey Businessâ).
2. Jimi Hendrix – âAll Along The Watchtowerâ from âElectric Ladylandâ (1968)
ShareStraight up, itâs the gold standard of covers. Weâve selected a lot of covers on this list, but only this one could make you forget about the original. Dylan himself said, âIt overwhelmed me, really. He had such talent, he could find things inside a song and vigorously develop them. He found things that other people wouldn't think of finding in there. He probably improved upon it by the spaces he was using. I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day... when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."
1. Bob Dylan – âLike A Rolling Stoneâ from âHighway 61 Revisitedâ (1965)
ShareIt was tough to figure out which version of this song to use for the number one spot on this list; Dylanâs version from âThe Bootleg Series, Vol. 4â is so venomous and defiant that we almost went with it, but the studio version from âHighway 61 Revisitedâ is ultimately the most iconic one. The song, propelled by Al Kooperâs Hammond organ, was over six minutes long, which was unheard of for rock radio at that time, and so Columbia Records didnât want to release it. But it got into the hands of radio DJs and it took off, hitting #2 on the Billboard charts, being held out of the #1 slot by the Beatlesâ âHelp.â And it paved the way for longer songs, from âStairway to Heavenâ to âLayla,â to get on the FM airwaves.
