Bob Dylan’s songwriting talent is lauded worldwide, and rightly so; his lyrics cut through to the bone and encapture the listener inside the universe of his songs. He’s considered to be one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century. Even to this day, Dylan constantly changes in the way he writes and performs his music, and remains unpredictable and electric as ever.

It comes as no surprise, then, that he’s one of the most covered artists of all time.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite Bob Dylan covers – including both covers of Bob Dylan songs, and covers of other artists’ songs by the man himself.

10. Ring of Fire – Bob Dylan

Dylan’s funky and bluesy interpretation of Johnny Cash’s super hit Ring of Fire is an interesting take on the song. Readers that may have only heard Dylan’s most famous songs may find his vocal performance in this record a little different to what they were expecting.

During the time that this cover was recorded, 1969-1970, Dylan produced two albums (Nashville Skyline & Self Portrait) where he ditched his iconic singing voice (which had a scratchy, nasal quality to it) for a sweeter, more crooning voice that you can hear in the song. When Dylan was later asked about this change to his voice, he attributed it to quitting smoking around that time. Funnily enough, in October of 1970, just a few months after the release of Self Portrait, Bobby released his album New Morning, where he seemed to have regained his classic singing voice.

9. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – The Animals

The Animals’ cover of It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue works so well – perhaps it’s due to Eric Burdon’s howling, dark and imposing vocals fitting the gloomy theme of the record, or the heavy and atmospheric instrumental that sets the scene of this heartbreaking ballad.

Interestingly, The Animals’ mega successful hit The House of the Rising Sun -which in truth is an old traditional folk song – was also recorded by Bob Dylan almost 3 years before The Animals had decided to release their version.

8. Tomorrow is a long Time – Elvis Presley

On this cover, Elvis’ haunting vocals are laid over a despondent but driving bluesy arrangement. This appears to be the perfect match for Dylan’s beautifully plaintive lyrics on this record. It’s known that Dylan had always been a huge fan of Elvis – you could imagine how he felt when he heard this one!

“When I first heard Elvis’ voice, I just knew that I wasn’t going to work for anybody, and nobody was going to be my boss. He is the deity supreme of rock and roll religion as it exists in today’s form. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.” Bob Dylan, Us Magazine Interview

7. Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Adele scored stratospheric success with her soulful cover of this song from Dylan’s 1997 album Time Out Of Mind. Make You Feel My Love is one of several examples of Bob’s songs that have been eclipsed by their cover – many listeners may not realise that this is not an original song by Adele. Other examples include It Ain’t Me, Babe (Johnny Cash cover), or All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix cover).

6. House of the Risin’ Sun – Bob Dylan

This fantastically bleak rendition of the classic folk song House of the Rising Sun was released on Bob’s very first album, Self-Titled, all the way back in 1962. Dylan’s vocals feel desolate and angry, lending themselves perfectly to the tone and lyrics of this song.

Like much of his early work, this recording only consists of two elements: Bob singing and playing guitar – no bells or whistles, drums, bass, backing singers or other frills. This suits the gloomy atmosphere of the song very well, and takes no limelight away from Bob’s powerful vocal performance, where he displays his ability to sing in a way that packs meaning and emotion in to every word, until the lyrics seem to drip with anger and desperation.

5. Maggie’s Farm – Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against the Machine’s furious cover of Maggie’s farm completely refreshes Dylan’s 1964 Electric blues single. While the original was rebellious and outrageous in its own terms – one of Dylan’s first electric songs that went completely against the expectations of his fanbase and music label – Rage’s version instils a new, fresh wrath in to the song. The dirty, heavy bass, reckless vocals and wicked electric guitar licks kick the song’s energy up 10 notches.

For a song that shows Dylan disenchanted and angry with the American folk music scene (and possibly the American political system), this cover amplifies and intensifies these feelings in perfect Rage Against the Machine fashion.

4. If Not For You – George Harrison

George Harrison’s friendship with Dylan was well documented – they spent much time together during their tenure as The Traveling Wilburys along with Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison.

Harrison’s iconic version of this song elevates the original to another level. With brilliant guitar-playing from George himself, gleaming production from Phil Spector (and Ringo Starr on the tambourine!), this version feels more “operatic”, in a sense, compared to the original. While Dylan’s version is intimate and true to his own style, Harrison takes the song for himself and alters it to fit perfectly into the theme and tone of his 1970 album All Things Must Pass.

In addition to this cover, Dylan helped Harrison write the first song on this album: I’d Have You Anytime.

George Harrison visiting Bob Dylan on his farm, 1968 (Anon., 1968)

3. It Ain’t Me Babe – Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

With this cover, Johnny Cash turns Bob Dylan’s acoustic break-up ballad in to a steamrolling country classic duet with his wife June Carter. Her singing masterfully harmonises with Johnny’s steady and unwavering lead vocals. This great rendition is carried by Cash’s signature driving guitar and endearing showmanship. The song was released on Cash’s 1965 album Orange Blossom Special, one year after the original, and became a hit.

It was well known that Dylan and Cash were admirers of each other’s work. In the late 60’s they spent some time in the studio together, and made a few tracks that have only just been officially released in October of this year.

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 7: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash perform together with acoustic guitars on ‘The Johnny Cash Show’ on June 7, 1969 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

2. Pretty Saro – Bob Dylan

When it comes to Bob Dylan’s legacy, many will likely remember him as “A great songwriter who couldn’t sing”. This is an unfortunate rumour that I hope I can put to rest, with his cover of this old English folk song, Pretty Saro.

His incredibly emotional and intimate crooning here will likely make you think “Woah, that’s Bob Dylan?”. As brought up in No. 10 of this list, Bob went through a phase where his singing voice changed drastically, to a smoother and more gentle tone.

So, this begs the question – if Dylan is comfortable altering his voice in this way, does that mean his iconic scratchy tone is also an act, a put-on performance to generate controversy and media attention? Perhaps his vocal rendition in Pretty Saro is closer to his natural singing voice. This type of mystery is classic Bob – despite being one of the best-selling artists of all time, his career and life still holds many mysteries that will likely never have a straight-forward answer – much like in his music, Dylan makes his move and likes to leave the interpretation completely up to the beholder.

1. All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix

It would be criminal to make a list about Dylan covers and not mention Jimi Hendrix’s transformative, mind-bending cover of All Along the Watchtower. Steeped in smoky, hazy and dark atmosphere, Jimi’s rendition of this track produces an inimitable experience like no other. Dylan’s lyrics pair perfectly with Jimi’s guitar playing, which itself is shrouded in reverbal mystery.

I’m convinced neither Dylan’s lyrics or Hendrix’s instrumentals here need each other to be the epitome of a great song, but together they make something truly special.

What did you think of my list? Let me know your favourite Dylan cover in the comments down below!