Because of this, Bob Dylan‘s work as a singer/songwriter has spread farther than most can identify. And, over the course of his career, many of Dylan’s songs have built up the careers of other artists. George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and others have all adopted a Bob Dylan song that became a hit. (Americansongwriter)
Bob Dylan, with his voice that David Bowie famously described as sounding like “sand and glue” might not be what you’d call a classically excellent singer, but he does have character and soul.
“Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show Written by Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
Released as the lead single for Old Crow Medicine Show’s self-titled, debut record in 2004, “Wagon Wheel” quickly became the band’s signature song.
Dylan first wrote “If Not For You” as a love song for his first wife Sara Dylan. The track was then first released on Dylan’s 11th studio album New Morning in 1970. Then just a few months after Dylan’s release, George Harrison (who was fresh off of The Beatles’ breakup) released his own recording of the song.
Below: Ron Wood, Joe Cocker cover Dylan’s ‘Seven Days’
I’m not exactly obsessed with writing songs i like Buffett, Lightfoot, Warren Zevon, Randy Newman. John Prine. Guy Clark. Those kinds of writers.
Daltrey, Townshend, McCartney, the Beach Boys, Elton, Billy Joel. They made perfect records, so they have to play them perfectly … exactly the way people remember them. My records were never perfect. So there is no point in trying to duplicate them. Anyway, I’m no mainstream artist.
“The Mighty Quinn” by Manfred Mann
Bob Dylan wrote and released “The Mighty Quinn” in 1967. It’s widely believed that Dylan took inspiration from Anthony Quinn’s role as an Eskimo in the 1960 movie The Savage Innocents for the track. This version of the song charted at the number one spot on the U.K. singles chart and number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix also was Written by Bob Dylan
Dylan did it first, but Hendrix gave it a life of its own. Read more about the story behind “All Along the Watchtower” HERE.
