The perfect Rolling Stones songs that Bob Dylan wishes he wrote
It is easy to get swept up in the mystique of Bob Dylan. An artist who enjoys the rigmarole of mystery has rarely put himself too far forward into the spotlight with any sincere clarity.
In fact, just about the only thing he has ever truly been clear about is music. And, even then, rarely his own songs. Preferring to keep a little bit of poetry within the conception of his lyrics and their meaning, Dylan has routinely chosen to shed light on artists he loves instead. So when asked by The New York Times about his thought son The Rolling Stones, he was happy to oblige.
The question shouldn’t come as too much of a shock, as he sings in his lyrics to the song ‘I Contain Multitudes’: “I’m just like Anne Frank, like Indiana Jones/And them British bad boys, the Rolling Stones/I go right to the edge, I go right to the end/I go right where all things lost are made good again”.
Of course, this prompted interviewer Douglas Brinkley to bring up some of the names mentioned, including the Rolling Stones. Of course, the Stones aren’t the only influence that Dylan discusses. He also touched on Little Richard and John Prine, stating: “Everybody knows what they did and who they were. And they deserve all the respect and acclaim that they received. No doubt about it”.
For decades, Dylan and The Rolling Stones occupied similar territory within rock mythology, standing as two of the defining forces of popular music during the 1960s and beyond. Although their styles differed dramatically, both artists shared an ability to continuously reinvent themselves while maintaining an unmistakable artistic identity, which perhaps explains Dylan’s enduring admiration for the band.
However, when it comes to the Rolling Stones, he went as far as to name three songs he wished he’d written. If you’re curious what they are, keep reading.
The Rolling Stones songs that Bob Dylan wishes he wrote:
‘Wild Horses’
This is probably the easiest to put together out of the bunch. If there’s one Stones song you’d expect to fall within the wheelhouse of Bob Dylan, it’s ‘Wild Horses’.
Straight from 1971’s Sticky Fingers, ‘Wild Horses’ features a slow tempo, acoustic instrumentation, and soulful vocals, things that Bob Dylan is often known for. It’s been covered numerous times, so who knows, maybe we’ll get a Bob Dylan version one day.
The emotional openness of ‘Wild Horses’ also mirrors many of Dylan’s own quieter compositions from the early 1970s, particularly the reflective tone he explored on albums like New Morning. Although Dylan is often associated with dense lyrical imagery, his admiration for the song underlines how simplicity, when executed properly, can be just as powerful as poetic complexity.
‘Ventilator Blues’
Off the album Exile On Main St., ‘Ventilator Blues’ has a bit of western twang going on. Not one of their most popular songs, it has a unique spin that Bob Dylan can certainly get on board with.
Released in 1972, it’s a fun song that deserves a lot more attention, and Dylan can clearly see that.
‘Ventilator Blues’ in particular demonstrates Dylan’s appreciation for the grittier, less celebrated corners of the Stones’ catalogue. While casual listeners often focus on the band’s radio staples, deeper cuts like this capture the loose, ragged spirit that made Exile on Main St. such a revered album among musicians and critics alike. Dylan’s admiration suggests he values atmosphere and feel just as much as polished songwriting.
‘Angie’
‘Angie’ was the lead single from the Rolling Stones’ 1973 album Goats Head Soup, and even though it isn’t one of their most classic songs that everyone knows right away, the song is a simple rock tune with great lyrics and a solid melody.
It’s easy to see why Bob Dylan would like this song, from its heavy piano to its slightly stripped-down melody. It simply goes to show that there’s so much appreciation to be had all across the music industry.
Dylan’s choices are also revealing because none of the songs he selected are among the band’s most aggressive or swaggering moments. Instead, he gravitated towards tracks rooted in vulnerability, melody and emotional nuance, highlighting the side of The Rolling Stones that often sat beneath their rebellious public image. It reflects Dylan’s own songwriting sensibilities, where intimacy and atmosphere frequently carry more weight than spectacle.
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