Bruce Springsteen always finds a way to Bob Dylan’s heart: “I’m not a nostalgic person”
Even if you’re one of those people who can’t manage to get beyond the gravelly tones of Bob Dylan‘s singing voice, you have to admit that it’s difficult to deny the fact that the songs he wrote are impeccable, timeless artefacts that will be remembered for centuries to come.
The fact that his work has been covered by such a wide variety of other artists goes to show just how impactful the songs are, and for many, the emotional impact that he manages to inject into his compositions can find a direct route straight to the heart of the listener.
Also, given how frequently his work is still reinterpreted and hailed by a multitude of performers from different creative spheres is a brilliant indication of how well-respected he is beyond the world of folk that he’s most prominently associated with. If people in the world of rock, hip-hop and jazz can all find ways to appreciate Dylan, that means that he’s more than just a legend in his own area, but a one-of-a-kind artist who transcends this.
Not only is his music celebrated by new generations of artists and listeners alike, but he’s still the recipient of awards for his achievements over an illustrious career, which only further exemplifies how the relevance of his songs hasn’t disappeared.
Even after he’s gone, there will be people doing versions of his songs in various different contexts, but for now, he’s happy to lap up all of these tributes and acknowledge that he’s the sort of artist who has managed to touch so many people in a meaningful way.
However, he’s not the only artist to have ever successfully done this, and one of his most vocal supporters and disciples is Bruce Springsteen, someone who has never shied away from sharing his love for Dylan. He ended up contributing a rendition of ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ for the MusiCares Person of the Year award ceremony in 2015, at which Dylan was the recipient of the main award.
Dylan frankly loved hearing an artist perform his own work in a way that made the song resonate with him, and praised Springsteen for the authenticity of his cover. “He did that song like the record, something I myself have never tried,” he stated after the ceremony. “I never even thought it was worth it. Maybe never had the manpower in one band to pull it off. I don’t know, but I never thought about it. To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten how the song ought to go.”
He continued by expressing his admiration for how Springsteen shares this ability that so many believe Dylan possesses. “Bruce pulled all the power and spirituality and beauty out of it like no one has ever done,” he added. “He was faithful, truly faithful to the version on the record, obviously the only one he has to go by. I’m not a nostalgic person, but for a second there it all came back… it was that powerful. Bruce is a deep, conscientious cat, and the evidence of that was in the performance. He can get to your heart, my heart, anyway.”
Dylan may have his ways of touching listeners, but it’s clear that he sees Springsteen as the sort of person who is so valuable to the continuation of this style of songwriting, and for him to have upstaged him with a version of one of his classic songs by invoking an extreme emotional resonance only shows why they’re so frequently seen as parallels to one another.
Never Miss A Tale
The Far Out Bob Dylan Newsletter
All the latest stories about Bob Dylan from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.