He changed the singer/songwriter game and inspired multiple generations of folk-rock musicians and protest singers. Naturally, the man has decent music taste. Let’s look at just three songs that Bob Dylan has said that he loves! One of these tracks is a clear inspiration for The Bard as well.
1. “Positively 4th Street” by Johnny Rivers
Bob Dylan said in his memoir that he had heard quite a few covers of his own songs. However, one particular cover reigns supreme as his all-time favorite: Johnny Rivers’ version of “Positively 4th Street” from 1968.
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“Of all the versions of my recorded songs, the Johnny Rivers one was my favorite,” said Dylan. “It was obvious that we were from the same side of town, had been read the same citations, came from the same musical family, and were cut from the same cloth.”
What a compliment. Fun fact: The Beatles almost recorded a version of this song for Let It Be, but they never finished it.
2. “Pretty Maids All In A Row” by Eagles
Bob Dylan may not look like your typical Eagles fan, but he is indeed a fan of the 1976 rock song “Pretty Maids All In A Row”. In a New York Times interview from a while ago, Dylan listed a few of his favorite Eagles tunes. “Life In The Fast Lane” and “New Kid In Town” made his list. He took it a step further and said that “Pretty Maids All In A Row” was “one of the best songs ever.”
Eagles’ Joe Walsh once said that this song was very important to the band, and also was a “melancholy” reflection on life. A whole generation of fans recognized the relatability in the song’s lyrics, and it has since become a fan favorite.
3. “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell
Out of all the songs Bob Dylan said that he loves, this one makes a lot of sense. He also had some pretty direct, brief, and strong words to say about the 1968 country pop song “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell.
“The greatest song ever written,” said Dylan of the song.
“Wichita Lineman” was originally written by Jimmy Webb but was first performed by Glen Campbell. It makes perfect sense why Dylan loved it so much, and why other listeners should show it some respect. This track managed to capture the essence of 1960s American life in a way that was both musically relevant and lyrically spiritual. At the very least, every country fan should know it.
Photo by CSU Archives/Everett/Shutterstock
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