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As we began to compile this list of the 50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time—asking for input from Paste readers, writers and editors—someone suggested that it might be easier to compile a list of artists who haven't covered Dylan. I've listened to literally hundreds of Dylan covers over the course of the past week, trying to weigh choices like, "Who's version of 'Tomorrow Is a Long Time' is better, Nick Drake or Nickel Creek?" But I don't mean to make it sound like grueling work. My biggest take-away from this exercise is that going to Dylan for source material generally elevates whatever artist is tackling it. There are so many transcendent moments in these 50 songs. Antony's trembling tenor veering "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" into a completely new direction. Beck making "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" sound like he wrote it. I could put this playlist on repeat, and it'd be a long while before it grew old.
A special thanks goes out to Michael Dunaway, Kate Kiefer, Andy Whitman and Steve LaBate who helped compile this list and who wrote many of the blurbs below. And thanks to all of Paste's Twitter followers and Facebook fans who made sure that their favorites were considered. Many of these were brand-new discoveries for us. Here are the 50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time:
50. Cowboy Junkies - "If You Gotta Go, Go Now"
Give the Junkies credit for tackling the greats. On the band's U.K.-only live album, In the Time Before Llamas, Margo Timmins sings Dylan, Lou Reed, Robert Johnson and Gram Parsons. Opting for a rocking blues version of "If You Gotta Go," Margo's smoky vocals make for a lovely send-off. If not the Junkies, then... we like The Flying Burrito Brothers' sunny country rave-up.
Cowboy Junkies - "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" on Last.FM
49. The Ramones - "My Back Pages"
A decade earlier, The Replacements’ hilarious, drunken Dylan parody “Like a Rolling Pin” proved that there should be no sacred cows in rock ’n’ roll. But this sped-up Ramones cover of one of Dylan’s finest is delivered without a hint of irony. Every bit as simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking as the original, it does what most punk covers of non-punk songs fail to do—it pays genuine heartfelt tribute to the original. If not The Ramones, then... we like The Hollies.
48. Chrissie Hynde - "I Shall Be Released"
Another gospel-soul arrangement, but Hynde lays surprisingly jazzy vocals on top for the verses. That's jarring enough given her classic rock-chick voice, but more voices join her on the chorus to turn the song into a pure anthem. If not Chrissie, then... we like Kevn Kinney's version with Warren Haynes and Edwin McCain.
47. Sufjan Stevens - "Ring Them Bells"
Stevens' tasty arrangement includes horns bursting into subtle piano and guitar that make it absolutely his own. If not Sufjan then... we like Joe Cocker's earnest growls.
46. Ani DiFranco - "Hurricane"
There's hardly a better song for channelling DiFranco's cool invective than the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. If not Ani, then... we like... um... anyone beside Vanilla Ice.
45. Nick Drake - "Tomorrow Is A Long Time"
Nickel Creek's version is lovely, but despite an early misstep on the lyrics, Drake's gentle crooning does a better job of capturing the song's loneliness. If not Nick, then... we'll take Nickel Creek's bright pickin' and grinnin'.
44. Neil Young - "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"
Rumbling guitars, driving rhythm, and those indescribable vocals—it's classic Neil Young. The key to his great performance here is his utter comfort inside the song, as if he was born singing every word. If not Neil, then... we like Nina Simone. It's like sitting down with someone over whiskey and soda in the middle of the afternoon and hearing their life story.
43. Rage Against the Machine - "Maggie's Farm"
We're pretty sure Bob never envisioned the song this way, but we'll bet he approves. Zack De La Rocha's vocals build from soft resentment to outrage, while the instruments maintain a menacing low rumble. The fact that they never quite catch up to his energy shouldn't work but somehow does. If not Rage, then... we like Vigilantes of Love. Bill Mallonee and his group of many years play it straight. Recorded just at the end of their punk-folk period, this largely acoustic gem is more driving and gripping than most bands fully plugged in. Mallonee's whispered "everybody wants me to be like them" is especially eerie and powerful. A cocksure statement of confidence from a band hitting its stride.
42. M. Ward, Conor Oberst & Jim James "Girl From the North Country"
The September issue of British magazine Mojo featured a sampler of Dylan covers. Ward, Oberst and James traded verses on "Girl from the North Country." Since then, they've periodically been discussing a "Monsters of Folk" album. If not these guys, then... we like John Gorka.
41. Norah Jones - "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
Every note out of Jones' mouth feels like a caress, making you believe she will indeed be your baby tonight. If not Norah then... Michelle Malone may have the best voice you've never heard.
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jeff buckley did a cover of just like a woman and it's beautiful
Well, pshaw, J.J. Thanks for the Manfred Mann's Earth Band mention (albeit a footnoted runnerup to No. 6) but you missed the best MMEB Dylan cover, and one of the best Dylan covers of them all: "You Angel You." No, it doesn't pack the portentuous lyrical wallop or the heavyweight gravitas you prize so much. It's just sheer ecstatic rock 'n roll -- exquisitely rendered.
Really good list! I wish it were a Box Set.
"Love Is Just a Four Letter Word" should be number #2--or even #1 if you give it extra points for it being the only available version of a great Dylan song.
I'm a little surprised that Adele's soulful rendition of "Make You Feel My Love" didn't make it on the list. Overall it is a very nice compilation and surprised to know that some of these musicians did cover Dylan.
Only one runner up mention for the Grateful dead???? Single handedly brought bob back in the 80's.
how about the ratdog cover of knocking on heavans door from the night garcia died - if the third verse doesn't move you to tears i don't know what will
The biggest lie in music is that Dylan's songs are better performed by other singers, and this list proves that. There's not a version on here that surpasses, or equals, the originals. Dylan conveys more emotion and power with his voice than anyone. Dylan's versions of songs he didn't write, like the traditional songs on "Good As I Been To You" and "World Gone Wrong" are worth hearing. Most of these covers are worth missing altogether.
Hey, how about Eric Clapton's searing Don't Think Twice in the anniversary concert?
Big omission here is Waylon Jennings version of "Don't Think Twice Its Alright" (from about 1970 before he got big). Sublime production and sound. 10000000x better than Mike Ness' abomination.
two I rate are: Siouxsie and the Banshees 'This wheel's on fire' [in fact I rate it #1!] and Gordon Lightfoot 'Ring them bells'
Can't argue with #1 (probably the only cover here that is better than the original...Jimi owns "Watchtower"), but how about his cover of "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window" if we'd like to be not-so-obvious.
Cash--his country/mariachi version of "Mama You Been on my Mind." Johnny is always true to Dylan's songs but reworks/moves around lines and verses and has such interesting phrasing.
White Stripes--"Love Sick" cover. I've only seen/heard it live but it is fantastic. (And as an aside: I love Dylan's studio version, but his live performance of the song at the Grammys is something else)
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers did a great version of "Rainy Day Women" at the 30th Anniversary concert and recently Mudcrutch has taken to playing "Most Likely You Go Your Way..." at shows.
Bobby Darin does a swing cover of "Don't Think Tiwce, It's Alright"..it will have you nodding your head and tapping your feet
Anyone else with some good recommendations??
It is pretty upsetting that there is barely a mention of the Grateful Dead, considering they covered more Dylan than anyone in history. I guarantee Dylan would say the same thing.
Jerry Garcia Band covered Dylan prolifically as well, and deserves more of a mention. Garcia's show-ending Tangled from Merriweather Post Pavilion from 9/1/89 is as powerful as it gets.
Great list, but the Dead really got the shaft... considering most of these tunes were in their live repertoire for years and years.
John Doe's Pressin On should be in the top ten and the best Dylan cover ever is Jerry Jeff Walker's One Too Many Mornings
I don't see The Band mentioned. "This Wheel's on Fire" and "Blind Willie Mctell" are terrific. Also Ricky Nelson's "She Belongs to Me', Solomon Burke's "Stepchild", Elvis' "I Threw it all Away", Patti Smith's "Changing of the Guard", Youssou N' Dour's "Chimes of Freedom", Stevie Wonder's versions of "Blowin in the Wind, the Textones "Clean Cut Kid", Martin Carthy's "Hattie Carroll", Peter Ballamy's "Death is not the End", Staples Singer's "John Brown" I could go on and on...
Especially given that she was just your cover star, I can't believe that Neko Case's version of "Buckets Of Rain" is not on this list. It would be in my top 5. Also worth a mention is Nanci Griffith's take on "Boots Of Spanish Leather" -- I'm not a big Nanci fan, but she covered that one nicely.
Perhaps Springsteen's early career take on "I Want You" flew under the radar, but it's hard to imagine that it doesn't warrant inclusion. As with Jimmy Cliff's "Trapped," Bruce takes this missive of love and makes it his own, starting off pleading, becoming unabashed, then exuberant (and back again) -- not to mention gorgeous form start to finish.
I'd also include Warren Zevon's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" at least as runner up for its unrelenting raw emotion, often present in Zevon's music, but hidden by a layer or two of his sardonic wit.
I'd just like to disagree with 16.- I think Brandi Carlile's cover of The Times are A'Changin' is much more exceptional.
-No question Jimi has to be #1. I'm one of the blasphemers who would say the best version of a Dylan song is usually done by someone else but man can he write 'em!
-16 Horsepower was a great band and the description of them is apot on although the 30 second snippet here doesn't do them any justice.
-PJ Harvey kills on Highway 61 (and every track on that CD).
-Mary Lou Lord also does a great version of You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome on her Live City Sounds CD which is a fantastic all covers disc.
-Jeff Buckley was incredible on almost everything he did, cover or original. The cover of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah on his Grace CD is a perfect example. Do a Cohen covers list and start at #1 with Buckley.
I Like more of Cowboy Junkies and Leonard
Cohen that Bob Dylan.
I'm a little surprised that the Wilco/Fleet Foxes version of "I Shall Be Released" didn't make the list
Where is Knockin' on Heavens Door by Kevin Coyne ???
And look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceNGLLRnJVw
Just like a woman by Geert Pelzer
I agree that Chrissie Hynde did "I Shall Be Released" the best, but Jeff Buckley's version from "Live at Sin-e" definitely trumps the K. Kinney version!
i don't even know where to begin....
van morrison's oft bootleged "just like a woman"...the roches's "clothes line saga"... the mystery tramps' rap-dance take on "like a rolling stone"....joan baez doing "daddy, you've been on my mind"...fairport's "i'll keep it with mine...."
what a joy to even think about..
I was really glad once i saw The White Stripes made it into the top ten. Really good song.
i'm glad elliott smith's version of "masterpiece" was mentioned. yeah the quality is pretty bad, but damn is it great.
other than that....i have about 60 dylan covers to now go listen to. so that's cool.
how about glen walters beautiful vocal on a straight cover of "tangled up in blue" on the hoodoo rhythm devils album "safe in their homes?"
Now I have about 50 more Dylan covers to go listen to. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.
the glen hansard and jeff tweedy tracks from 'i'm not there' deserve to be on this...
A vote for 13th Floor Elevators: "baby Blue" I love Van Morrison, but I have to say I take this version first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iks6-XH5DV4
Cool list, but the Groovies are Flamin' not Flaming and even though I love the Scorchers, I think the Groovies ASM gets the nod here. Still, both versions trump Dylan's, which is surprising, since I'm usually one to liek his originals the best.
Awesome list. Really glad "All Along" made number one, especially Hendrix's version. It's probably the most-covered song in my library- I've got some great versions by Michael Hedges, Neil Young, U2, 6 or 7 by Dave Matthews, and a great one from Eric Clapton & Lenny Kravitz. I have too many Dylan covers for a playlist, so I gave them their own genre in the library, and it's chock full of some great alternate takes. Edie Brickell's "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall;" Neil Young (again) with "Blowin' in the Wind," complete with rockets and bombs going off in the background; and one of the best all time covers of anyone, anywhere: "My Back Pages" from Bob's 30th with McGuinn, Petty, Young, Clapton, Harrison and even Bob his own self taking turns on the verses. Lists like this are a great tribute to the strength and elasticity of of such well written songs. They transcend genre, time, and performer- only the writer remains.
A worthy gem that was left of the list:
Dottie Peoples - I Believe In You.
Seriously, folks, this is a sensational reinvention of Dylan's quiet, contemplative meditation on religious devotion. Seek it out.
Good list, but my own personal favorite Dylan cover is Transvision Vamp's version of "Crawl Out Your Window":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ah1YhupcAs
Maybe not one of Dylans greatest songs, but Ron Wood did a great live rockin´ version of "Seven Days" with Booker T & the MGs at the 30th Anniversary Concert.
Great list but what about Garth Brooks cover of "To Make You Feel My Love."
Thanks Josh! Not only have you provided a great list but you've also provided a great reusable collection of links. Have you restricted yourself to a maximum of one cover per artist? Is that why the Byrds have only only one entry? Don't you think that their stunning versions of Mr. Tambourine Man, My Back Pages, Chimes Of Freedom and Spanish Harlem Incident are also worthy of inclusion? Or am I just overly fixated on the 60's? Other notable absentees include She Belongs To Me (Rick Nelson), Mighty Quinn (Manfred Mann), I Want You (Bruce Springsteen) and the 2 amazing versions of Like A Rolling Stone by Jimi Hendrix and Spirit. Then again, maybe if I keep playing your list I'll have to make some changes to my own list. Thanks again!
I've been working on the same project for months, only I restricted it to covers from the last 20 years, or so. You'll note I prefer some covers to those you've chosen. Hey, reasonable people can disagree. Bobby can write a song, and his muse never really left him.
I opted to use no tunes from the "I'm Not There" soundtrack .... on principle. *chuckle*
Other than the four play lists (each fits on an 80 minute CD) below, I also have assembled two CDs worth of blues-only covers. But I don't feel like typing them all in here right now.
My four play lists (they're not ranked, but arranged for smoothness of segue):
1. Forever Young - Tom Corwin and Tim Hockenberry
2. Love Minus Zero/No Limit - Eliza Gilkyson
3. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Warren Zevon
4. My Back Pages – Marshall Crenshaw
5. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue – Bonnie Raitt
6. Everything Is Broken - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
7. It takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes A train To Cry – Taj Mahal
8. Sweetheart Like You – Guy Davis
9. Mama, You Been On My Mind – Peter Mulvey
10. Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) - Tim O'Brian
11. I Shall Be Released - Chatham County Line
12. Shelter from the Storm - Cassandra Wilson
13. Don't Think Twice It's Alright - Curtis Stigers
14. Man In The Long Black Coat - Joan Osborne
15. Most of the Time - Pinkeye D'Gekko
16. Buckets of Rain - Danny Schmidt - Danny Schmidt
17. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Keb' Mo'
1. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Jim Weider & The Honky Tonk Gurus
2. Chimes Of Freedom - Hanne Boel
3. I Want You - Peter Keane
4. She Belongs To Me – Forrest Sun
5. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Linda Ronstadt
6. Spanish Harlem Incident - Chris Whitley
7. Moonlight – Maria Muldaur
8. Love Sick - Duke Robillard
9. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go - Madeleine Peyroux
10. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight - John Hammond, Jr.
11. Ballad of a Thin Man - James Solberg
12. Gotta Serve Somebody – Eric Bibb
13. Emotionally Yours – Jimmy LaFave
14. Winterlude – Joe Ely
15. One Too Many Mornings - Jerry Jeff Walker
16. Jokerman - Eliza Gilkyson
1. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest - Jerry Garcia
2. Visions of Johanna - Chris Smither
3. Ring Them Bells - Marc Andrew
4. Not Dark Yet - Mary Ann Redmond
5. Tangled Up In Blue - The Walkers
6. Heart of Mine - Peter Malick
7. Man of Peace - Jamie Notarthomas
8. One More Cup of Coffee - Robert Plant
9. Gates of Eden - Bryan Ferry
10. Changing of The Guards - Patti Smith
11. Abandoned Love - David Michael Moore
12. Tomorrow is a Long Time - David Ogilvy
13. Shooting Star - Andy Hill & Renee Safier
14. Lord Protect My Child - Susan Tedeschi
15. Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall - Eric Andersen
1. Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat - Beck
2. Mississippi - Sheryl Crow
3. I Threw It All Away - Elvis Costello
4. License to Kill - Cowboy Junkies
5. Born In Time - Indigenous
6. I Believe In You - QuarterMoon
7. Just Like a Woman - Eric Bibb
8. Tonight, I'll Be Stayin' Here With You – Ann Peebles
9. Million Miles - Arthur "Youngblood" Hart
10. What Good Am I? – Solomon Burke
11. Wheels on Fire - Guster
12. To Make You Feel My Love - Luka Bloom
11. Down Along the Cove - The Lone Sharks
12. Absolutely Sweet Marie - Jason & The Scorchers
13. You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - Solid Air
14. Farewell Angelina - John Mellencamp
15. To Ramona - Texas Tornados
16. Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts - Tom Russell, Eliza Gilkyson, Joe Ely
Here are three more Dylan covers to check out that are not on the previous lists:
Down In The Flood - The Derek Trucks Band
Buckets of Rain - Eric Bibb
Desolation Row - Chris Smither
I'm delighted to see my cover of Dylan's Man of Peace included in the top 50. It was very special recording in that Blues Traveler's Jon Popper and Phishe's Trey Anastasio both performed with my band on this spontaneous take. Thank you!
Glad I got sent this. An almost impossible task but as for me, have to take my hat off to Myck for nailing Weider's Subterranean Homesick Blues and Jerry Jeff's One Too Many Mornings (my all-time favorite Dylan cover) in the same set. Also STRONGLY recommend Richie Havens' Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands off the long lost Mixed Bag II album.
Impressing list, but as a couple of the other comments I miss Grateful dead. Allmost all of the songs on their Dylan-cover CD "Postcards of the hanging" should be on this list. As in all lists like this I miss Elliott Murphy too. Next to Dylan he is the greatest songwriter of our time, an has of course covered Dylan brilliant to. Check out his released version of "Dignity" or one of his beatyful live versions of "Not dark yet". Finally I miss my favourite Dylan-cover of all time; "Girl of the north country" by Waterboys.
Where the hell is Elvis Presley's cover of "Tomorrow Is A Long Time"? Dylan said it was "the one recording I treasure the most."
I'm surprised you've forgotten the incredible & lovely versions of Robyn Hithcock :
- "It's not dark yet" seen on Youtube with John Paul Jones,
see it on :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwQupq_nrkg
- "Tryin' to get to heaven before they close the door" on his "spooked" album with the fantastic Gillian Welch & David Rawlings... you can hear it on :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbT-V8FLFeI
the rest of the list is good...
Great list, I just wish you would omit Cat Power's cover and select her rendition of my very favorite Dylan song "I Believe In
You". GREAT GREAT SONG
Very good list --
I'd add Abbey Lincoln's "Mister Tambourine Man," Richie Havens' "Tombstone Blues," and The Roots' "Masters of War."
First of all, the Byrds were the definitive when it comes to Dylan covers. Everything they did was first-rate.
Jason and the Nashville Scorchers should've been top five, if not #2.
I can't believe Rod Stewart's cover of "Tomorrow Is A Long Time" from his album "Every Picture Tells A Story" was not mentioned. It stands head and shoulders above every other attempt at the song.
I was also disappointed no one mentioned Flatt & Scruggs' cover of "Down In The Flood", which will make you do a cool twisty-type sixties dance when you listen to it 'cause it's so BADASS!
What a great list, thanks for all the links and effort!
On the Susan Tedeschi cover of "Lord Protect My Child" it was noted Derek Trucks plays on the track. I'm not sure if this is correct, actually I am pretty sure Derek is absent on this performance although they do play together quite often.
One Bob cover I really love is "My Back Pages" as performed by Eric Johnson on his album Bloom. The Ramone's version is fun, Eric Johnson's is just RAD! Here's a link to a live version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ0YB3I83Y0
Ian Moore did a killer version of "You're a Big Girl Now" on his Ian Moore's Got the Green Grass album from the late 90's.
When I cover the song, I usually do it in Ian's style, it's that good!
That guy from Fleet Foxes did a lovely version of It Ain't Me, Babe recently.
http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2009/05/22/white-antelope-the-covers/
Judy Collins did a beautiful rendition of "I Believe In You" around 1994. Her whold album dedicated to Dylan was wonderful, in fact.
Great List. I too am looking forward to many of hours of fun going through these songs. My contribution would be Peter, Paul and Mary's "Don't Think Twice."
http://www.imeem.com/artists/peter_paul_and_mary/music/gHswju9H/peter-paul-and-mary-dont-think-twice-its-alright-remast/
Danish Hanne Boel recorded a fantastic version of Hard Rain on her album Misty Paradise. Also a fine cover of Emotionally Your's on the same album. Enjoy!
Adele - Make You Feel My Love. An amazing love song with so much passion. It was already mentioned but i feel it is that good to be seen twice.
Love the list
One BIG ommision
Ani DiFrance - Most of the time
It all proves that there are endless interpretations of the master..
You ever heard Thea Gilmore's version of "I Dreamed I Saw St Augustine" ? If you had, it would be on this list. I'd bet money on it...
Thought i'd find the Turtles cover of "It Ain't Me Babe" on here. Well done I much prefer it over Cash's version. How about the Byrds "Mr.Tambourine Man" was that on here maybe I missed it. Also like Johny Winters "Highway 61".