The best Bob Dylan covers of all time

Best Bob Dylan’s Covers

Bob Dylan has been writing songs for more than 60 years, and his music has inspired artists from many different styles. A lot of singers and bands have covered his songs and added their twist.

A few have even become more popular than Dylan’s versions. This shows how strong and flexible his songwriting is.

This list shares known covers of Dylan’s songs that stand out because of how they were changed or how popular they became.

Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower”

Jimi Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s song “All Along the Watchtower” is very famous and often seen as the best version of the song. Dylan first wrote and recorded it in 1967 for his album John Wesley Harding.

Hendrix started recording his version on January 21, 1968, at Olympic Studios in London. He first wanted to cover a different Dylan song but changed his mind after hearing this one.

It came out on September 21, 1968, and became a big hit. Even Dylan praised Hendrix’s powerful rock version.

The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man”

The Byrds’ version of Bob Dylan’s song “Mr. Tambourine Man” was a big moment in music history. It helped start the folk-rock style. The single came out on April 12, 1965, and the album with the same name came out on June 21, 1965.

Their version had a rock beat, electric sound, and poetic words. It featured Jim McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker guitar and the band’s special harmony singing.

Guns N’ Roses – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”

Guns N’ Roses made a rock version of Bob Dylan’s song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and it became very popular. It was released in 1991 on their album Use Your Illusion II and became a big part of their live shows.

They changed the soft folk song into a loud, powerful rock song. Slash played a strong, bluesy guitar solo, and Axl Rose sang with his famous raspy voice. Background singers added even more energy.

The band mixed folk and rock well. The lyrics about death and life matched their wild image and made the song feel deep and strong.

Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”

Adele’s version of Bob Dylan’s song “Make You Feel My Love” is a simple piano ballad that shows deep feelings of love and heartbreak. She released it in 2008 on her first album, 19, and it became a Top 5 hit in the UK.

Dylan first released the song in 1997 on his album Time Out of Mind. His version was slow with emotional lyrics about deep devotion.

Rage Against the Machine – “Maggie’s Farm”

Rage Against the Machine made a loud and powerful version of Bob Dylan’s song “Maggie’s Farm.” Their cover came out in 2000 on their album Renegades, which was full of songs by other artists.

This version has a heavy, industrial rock sound and keeps the same message of anger and rebellion as Dylan’s original.

Lead singer Zach de la Rocha adds strong, intense vocals. The song talks about being frustrated and how the music industry treats artists.

Even though it’s a cover, the band made it sound very different, turning it into a bold rock anthem with their style.

Nina Simone – “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”

Nina Simone’s version of Bob Dylan’s song “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” was released in 1969 on her album To Love Somebody. Her version is known for her powerful singing and emotional depth.

Simone makes the song feel more sad and personal, instead of just telling the story like Dylan does. Her style sounds like a funeral song, focusing on the feelings of the singer rather than the road trip.

The White Stripes – “One More Cup of Coffee”

The White Stripes made a cover of Bob Dylan’s song “One More Cup of Coffee,” which originally appeared on Dylan’s 1976 album Desire. Their version was included on their debut album in 1999.

While it wasn’t a big hit, many people think it’s one of their best Dylan covers. The song has a haunting feeling that fits the White Stripes’ simple rock style.

In the original, Dylan sings with Emmylou Harris, and there’s a violin played by Scarlet Rivera. The White Stripes’ cover is praised by fans and critics and is often remembered alongside their other famous covers, like “Jolene.”

Mavis Staples – “Gotta Serve Somebody”

Mavis Staples made a strong cover of Bob Dylan’s song “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Dylan originally wrote and recorded the song with a gospel style. Mavis Staples made the song her own while keeping the gospel feel.

Dylan admired Mavis’s singing and even said it “knocked me out.” He also had a crush on her and called her “the one that got away.” Mavis’s version of the song is considered one of the best interpretations of Dylan’s work.

Norah Jones – “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”

Norah Jones has sung Bob Dylan’s song “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” many times, showing how much she loves his music. One version is on her first album, Come Away With Me, which won five Grammy Awards.

The song is also on a special bonus album called Covers that came in a limited edition box set of her first five albums. She even sang the song live at the Kennedy Center.

Sam Cooke – “Blowin’ in the Wind”

Sam Cooke’s version of “Blowin’ in the Wind” is a soulful take on Bob Dylan’s famous song about peace and justice. Cooke’s strong voice gives the lyrics a new feeling that touches people’s hearts.

The music has a jazz-like sound with a steady beat that makes it feel alive and moving. His version talks about hope and change, just like Dylan’s, but in a way that fits Cooke’s style and message.

Cooke cared about civil rights, so this song became part of that fight. Critics praised his version for being powerful and different from the original.

Patti LaBelle – “Forever Young”

Patti LaBelle’s version of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” is a strong and emotional cover, especially known for her performance at Live Aid in 1985. She sang it at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, and many people say her voice was huge and full of emotion.

Patti called that moment special and said she felt the “Holy Ghost spirit” while singing and walking into the crowd. It became a big moment in her career.

The Band – “When I Paint My Masterpiece”

The Band recorded Bob Dylan’s song “When I Paint My Masterpiece” for their 1971 album Cahoots. Even though Dylan wrote the song, The Band’s version was the first one released.

Dylan later released his version on his album Greatest Hits Vol. II. In early 1972, Dylan and The Band performed the song live together, and that live version was added as a bonus track on a reissue of The Band’s live album Rock of Ages.

George Harrison – “If Not for You”

Bob Dylan wrote the song “If Not for You” and put it on his New Morning album in October 1970. Just a month later, George Harrison recorded his version for his solo album All Things Must Pass.

Harrison and Dylan were friends, and they even sang the song together live at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971. Dylan taught Harrison the song earlier that day, and they practiced it a few times.

Elvis Presley – “Tomorrow Is a Long Time”

Elvis Presley recorded Bob Dylan’s song “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” on May 26, 1966, during a session for his album How Great Thou Art. The song was later added as a bonus track on his album Spinout.

Elvis first heard the song from Charlie McCoy, who played it for him from the Odetta album Odetta Sings Dylan. Bob Dylan said Elvis’s version was “the one recording I treasure the most.”

And if you’re an Elvis fan, here are the best Elvis Presley movies that still dazzle fans.

Tracy Chapman – “The Times They Are A-Changin’”

Tracy Chapman sang Bob Dylan’s song “The Times They Are a-Changin’” several times. In 1992, she performed it alone with her guitar at Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden.

This version was on the concert’s videotape and double CD, and many people think it’s one of the best Dylan covers, says Insounder.

ylan’s music stayed important to her and years later, his influence was still seen in pop culture like when Timothée Chalamet rocked SNL as Bob Dylan.

Have a favorite Dylan cover that didn’t make the list? Drop it in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.