Beatles 'Yer Blues' and Lennon's 'God' - but also a third John Lennon song - 'Give Peace a Chance' - '[Everybody's talking about](https://genius.com/1708673/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Everybodys-talking-about)
[John and Yoko](https://genius.com/1708651/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/John-and-yoko), [Timmy Leary](https://genius.com/1708663/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Timmy-leary), [Rosemary](https://genius.com/8305273/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Rosemary)
[Tommy Smothers](https://genius.com/3274710/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Tommy-smothers), [Bobby Dylan](https://genius.com/8300700/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Bobby-dylan), [Tommy Cooper](https://genius.com/12623391/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Tommy-cooper)
[Derek Taylor](https://genius.com/5104370/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Derek-taylor), [Norman Mailer](https://genius.com/8300727/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Norman-mailer), [Allen Ginsberg,](https://genius.com/1708691/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Allen-ginsberg) [Hare Krishna](https://genius.com/8301077/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Hare-krishna-hare-hare-krishna)'
Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
But, that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
…
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
There is a version of this song, recorded at a radio station in New York when it was popular, wherein McLean plays it and stops frequently to explain all the allusions and references.
My recollection is likely off. At any rate, he finally spoke about the song in the 2022 documentary film, “The Day the Music Died.” It streamed on Paramount+.
He says the King was meant to be an impressionistic representation of Jesus, not about Elvis. He doesn’t seem to deny that it’s somewhat about Dylan (and JFK) though, in addition to the death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash in 1959.
> "And I want them to know it influenced the politics. The same group of people that elected Kennedy produced Dylan. It's just my theory. It seems to have worked, though. Each year, I think, 'Damn, it's still working, isn't it?' Right up through Trump. I mean, today's music is perfect for Trump. Empty. Loud."
The Jester, if it refers to Dylan, is likely also an allusion to the joker and the thief, the social and political outcasts portending charge in All Along the Watchtower, which was a hugely popular song at the time McLean wrote American Pie in Newport in 1969, thanks to Hendrix.
Meanwhile, in the post-Kennedy/LBJ era, America saw the election of Nixon, while Dylan was “on the sidelines in a cast,” cancelling his tours in the wake of the motorcycle accident.
What’s kind of sad is Dylan seemed to take offense to being called the Jester, rather than see it as a compliment about the role he played in the cultural and political upheaval of the 60s that led to so much social progress in America. Both Dylan and McClean were hugely influenced by Buddy Holly and affected by his death.
Good pull. I remember hearing that song for the first time and the use of “creature void of form” early in the song… I was like wtf!? This guy is blatantly ripping off Dylan… then the name check came and calmed me down lol
**Like Dylan in the Movies - Belle and Sebastian**
"If they follow you, don't look back, like Dylan in the movies"
**Yer Blues - The Beatles**
"I feel so suicidal, just like Dylan's Mr. Jones"
**A Simple Desultory Philippic - Simon & Garfunkel**
"He's so unhip that when you say Dylan he thinks you're talkin' about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was"
The best,
Rodney Crowell, Beautiful Despair
Beautiful despair is hearing Dylan
when you're drunk at 3 a.m
Knowing that the chances are
no matter what
you'll never write like him
Oh, brother
There’s also a song from Lennon called Serve Yourself which was a direct parody of Gotta Serve Somebody, and some demo tapes where Lennon imitates Bob’s voice, [including a song where he just reads the day’s newspaper while using that voice](https://youtu.be/_HTl_LfjKIo?si=p_ZGUe7URl2shiAE)
He’s got Dylan lyrics tattooed on his arm. Assuming it’s referencing Bob is a safe bet
Side note: great song. He didn’t play that one, but I saw him live for the first time last week. Magical. If Dylan wasn’t still alive, Jason Isbell would have a right to being the best living songwriter
Frank Zappa - Flakes ("wanna buy some mandies, Bob?) - it's clear from context it's him
Beastie Boys - 3 Minute Rule ("chillin' like Bob Dylan")
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (feat Aqua) - Barbie World ("I told to bring the Bob Dylan out")
Buggered if I know! I'm glad our boy is there though.
In that pink Ferrari, we peelin' out
I told Tae bring the Bob Dylan out
That pussy so cold, we just chillin' out
They be yellin', yellin', ye-yellin' out
It's Barbie, bitch, if you still in doubt (ooh)
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d Into Submission)
Song by Simon & Garfunkel
I knew a man, his brain was so small
He couldn't think of nothing at all
Not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry
He's so unhip that when you say Dylan
He thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas
Whoever he was
The man ain't got no culture
But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned
For sure. “Here’s a song ala Dylan, since that seems to be what you want so much”
A little before my time, but I have no problem putting Paul right up there with Dylan as one of the very best American songwriters of the 20th/21st centuries.
The original version from Paul's fists solo LP The Paul Simon Songbook has the last line, ,it's alright, it's just something I learned over in England.
Neil Young - "Bandit"
"No one can touch you now.
I can touch you now.
You're invisible.
You've got too many secrets.
Bob Dylan said that.
Or something like that."
Highlands:
I’m listening to Neil Young, I gotta turn up the sound /
Someone’s always yelling turn it down /
Feel like I’m drifting /
Drifting from scene to scene /
I’m wondering what in the devil could it all possibly mean?
‘Telegram Sam’ - T. Rex
Has someone other than Dylan been id’d as Bobby?
‘Bobby's alright Bobby's alright
He's a natural born poet
He's just outta sight’
“I dig Bobby Dylan, and I love big John Cash
And I think Waylon Jennings is a table thumpin’ smash
And hearin’ Joni Mitchell feels as good as smokin’ grass
But if you don’t like Hank Williams honey, you can kiss our ass”
- Kris Kristofferson
Kristofferson and Townes Van Zandt are the only American songwriters I’d put on the same level as Bob(not better than Bob, just they’re good enough to be mentioned together)
Adam Yauch (MCA) on Beastie Boys’ ”[3 Minute rule](https://open.spotify.com/track/5mew4rexHu1IV6kTXqH3Nu?si=ax4My4jaR1u0iNCkdCsReg)”
”I’m just chillin / like Bob Dylan”
Hootie and the blowfish -I only wanna be with you
“Put on a little Dylan sitting on a fence
I say that line is great, you ask me what it meant by
Said, I shot a man named Gray, took his wife to Italy
She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me
I can't help it if I'm lucky
I only wanna be with you
Ain't Bobby so cool?”
This was my first thought, surprised I had to scroll so far.
But that Hootie and the Blowfish album was actually the first CD I ever got when I was in like 5th or 6th grade.
Give The Anarchist A Cigarette by Chumbawamba. Dylan by Emmy The Great ('[Like, reading an Italian book from the 13th century](https://genius.com/13059692/Emmy-the-great-dylan/Like-reading-an-italian-book-from-the-13th-century)/Is not that hard to do...)
The mid 80s Christian new wave singer Steve Taylor mentioned him in his 1984 song Meltdown (at Madame Tussauds)
"Dylan may be filling the puddle he designed, is it gonna take a miracle to make up his mind"
Comedy folk singer Wally Plesant has a song called 'Sons of Bob Dylan which is all about the next bob dylan trend.
And Loudon Wainwright III has a great song called "Talking New Bob Dylan Blues" about the pressures of being dubbed a 'next Bob Dylan.'
Saw you standing in the hallway Red plastic cup and one of them big long cigarettes You asked me if I could play you some Dylan I said "Dylan who?" and you told me to kiss your ass
Drive By Truckers, Panties in Your Purse
Although never mentioned by name, 'Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez I'd about her affair with Bobby I. The 60s. Judas Priest (a band named after a Dylan song) would do a cover of Diamonds and Rust
Neil Young’s Twisted Road:
First time I heard "Like A Rolling Stone"
I felt that magic and took it home
Gave it a twist and made it mine
But nothing was as good as the very first time
Poetry rolling off his tongue
Like Hank Williams chewing bubble gum
Asking me, "how does it feel?"
L.A. Salami's "The Scene"
But if you play this game you′ll learn a trick,
how to grow a pair and make them stick,
like the tatoo of Bob Dylan on my arm.
I’ve thought this verse from Jackson Browne’s “Looking Into You” was referencing Bob:
The great song traveler passed through here
And he opened my eyes to the view
And I was among those who called him a prophet
And I asked him what was true
Until the distance had shown how the road remains alone
Now I'm looking in my life for a truth that is my own
Talking New Bob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III.
https://open.spotify.com/track/0XLErri8gfXecR6NWR71bY?si=y1gUnJQcTbCBZxr6Wf8A7A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5bxlBl1Qnm67pCCscjfkpJ
In Brazil there is a song called "A marchinha psicótica de Doctor Soup", goes like this "I had a dream with that strange old alien That was Bob Dylan's head, Ginsberg Allen's beard" (Eu tive um sonho com aquele velho estranho alien, que era, Cabeça Bob Dylan e Barba Ginsber Allen). and another one from Raul Seixas that he says "Despite that boring and stubborn voice I'm not here to complain And I'm not just the singer, I've been through Elvis Presley I imitated Mr. Bob Dylan, you know I'm tired of watching the sun go down" (Apesar dessa voz chata e reniente, eu não estou aqui para reclamar e não sou apenas O CANTOR, eu já passei por Elvis Presley, imitei o Mr.BobDylan, you know, eu estou cansado de ver o sol se por".
There are songs call "i wannna be Bob Dylan", "I wann kiss Bob Dylan" and "I wanna kill Bob Dylan" also.
Player=Doctor
Dylan by Emmy The Great from her incredible record First Love
“And you say Dylan is a sentiment
That you don't want to share”
Later on she references Tangled Up In Blue….
“Oh and all the things you talk about
But never say to me,
And all the things to talk about
That I could say to you,
Like reading an Italian book
From the 13th century,
Is not that hard to do.”
Beastie Boys. Their landmark Paul’s Boutique borrows a line from Dylan’s protest-of-protests “Maggie’s Farm” on their lovable bum tale “Johnny Ryall.” And on “3-Minute Rule,” MCA even drops his own unique props: “I’m just chillin’, like Bob Dylan.” Three years later, the boys would sample Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” for their “Finger Lickin’ Good” — a clearance that would ultimately cost them $700. Mike D told Boston Rock, “He asked for $2,000. I thought it was kind of fly that he asked for $2,000 and I bartered Bob Dylan down. That’s my proudest sampling deal.”
T. Rex Telegram Sam and Ballrooms Of Mars, Marc Bolan & Roy Wood Skateboard
"Bobby's alright, Bobby's alright, He's a natural born poet, He's just outta sight"
"Bob Dylan knows, And I bet Alan Freed did, There are things in night, That are better not to behold"
"Hendrix, Loved the way his guitar exploded, Dylan boy the way his head told it, Made me understand me"
Here's a playlist of songs that reference Dylan. Perhaps not definitive but a lotta good ones on here: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qQEFYfPzyEVLOwyES8u70?si=983ff9baaf624f66](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qQEFYfPzyEVLOwyES8u70?si=983ff9baaf624f66)
Todd Snider - Thin Wild Mercury
It was all over some new Bob Dylan song /
That Phil had the nerve to say sounded wrong /
Dylan stopped the car, words shook like a fist /
"Phil you ain't a writer, you're a journalist"
Not really in the song lyrics but on Phil Ochs' live album "Phil Ochs in Concert" he does a funny intro for Canons of Christianity:
The other night a voice came to me
Turned out it was God
He said "Ochs wake up, this is God here, over"
I said, "You're putting me on of course Dylan."
“He’s so unhip, when you say Dylan, he thinks you’re talking about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was. The man ain’t got no culture. But it’s alright Ma, everybody must get stoned’
- A Simple Desultory Philippic, Simon and Garfunkel
The Charging Sky - Jenny Lewis -
So my mom, she brushes her hair
And my dad starts growing bob dylan's beard
And I share with my friends a couple of beers
Beatle’s/Lennon’s Yer Blues.
Lennon’s God
He's pretty good but he isn't god
But Bob Dylan is mentioned in John Lennon’s song ‘God’
“I don’t believe in Zimmerman!”
Beatles 'Yer Blues' and Lennon's 'God' - but also a third John Lennon song - 'Give Peace a Chance' - '[Everybody's talking about](https://genius.com/1708673/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Everybodys-talking-about) [John and Yoko](https://genius.com/1708651/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/John-and-yoko), [Timmy Leary](https://genius.com/1708663/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Timmy-leary), [Rosemary](https://genius.com/8305273/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Rosemary) [Tommy Smothers](https://genius.com/3274710/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Tommy-smothers), [Bobby Dylan](https://genius.com/8300700/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Bobby-dylan), [Tommy Cooper](https://genius.com/12623391/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Tommy-cooper) [Derek Taylor](https://genius.com/5104370/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Derek-taylor), [Norman Mailer](https://genius.com/8300727/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Norman-mailer), [Allen Ginsberg,](https://genius.com/1708691/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Allen-ginsberg) [Hare Krishna](https://genius.com/8301077/Plastic-ono-band-give-peace-a-chance/Hare-krishna-hare-hare-krishna)'
Not by name, but he is referred to in “American Pie” by Don McLean.
Now, for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rolling stone But, that's not how it used to be When the jester sang for the king and queen In a coat he borrowed from James Dean And a voice that came from you and me Oh, and while the king was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown The courtroom was adjourned No verdict was returned … With the jester on the sidelines in a cast
A great song about early rock history
There is a version of this song, recorded at a radio station in New York when it was popular, wherein McLean plays it and stops frequently to explain all the allusions and references.
Source? I thought he always denied everything
My recollection is likely off. At any rate, he finally spoke about the song in the 2022 documentary film, “The Day the Music Died.” It streamed on Paramount+.
And the king, from whom he stole the crown, is Elvis, as I recall.
He says the King was meant to be an impressionistic representation of Jesus, not about Elvis. He doesn’t seem to deny that it’s somewhat about Dylan (and JFK) though, in addition to the death of Buddy Holly in a plane crash in 1959. > "And I want them to know it influenced the politics. The same group of people that elected Kennedy produced Dylan. It's just my theory. It seems to have worked, though. Each year, I think, 'Damn, it's still working, isn't it?' Right up through Trump. I mean, today's music is perfect for Trump. Empty. Loud." The Jester, if it refers to Dylan, is likely also an allusion to the joker and the thief, the social and political outcasts portending charge in All Along the Watchtower, which was a hugely popular song at the time McLean wrote American Pie in Newport in 1969, thanks to Hendrix. Meanwhile, in the post-Kennedy/LBJ era, America saw the election of Nixon, while Dylan was “on the sidelines in a cast,” cancelling his tours in the wake of the motorcycle accident. What’s kind of sad is Dylan seemed to take offense to being called the Jester, rather than see it as a compliment about the role he played in the cultural and political upheaval of the 60s that led to so much social progress in America. Both Dylan and McClean were hugely influenced by Buddy Holly and affected by his death.
Belle and Sebastian: Like Dylan In The Movies
Counting Crows Mr. jones, Hootie and the Blowfish, I Only Want To Be With You.
Mr Jones wishes he was someone just a little more funky…
Son, when everybody loves you, that’s just about as funky as you can be
Syd Barrett - Bob Dylan Blues Minutemen - Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs
Minutemen - history lesson part 2
Love that song, came here to write it. The live accoustic version is ace, dudes jamming econo!
Love the Minutemen
Was scrolling looking for the Barrett song! It’s so great!
Was scrolling looking for the Minutemen song
The War on Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore "When we went to see Bob Dylan We danced to Desolation Tow"
Good pull. I remember hearing that song for the first time and the use of “creature void of form” early in the song… I was like wtf!? This guy is blatantly ripping off Dylan… then the name check came and calmed me down lol
**Like Dylan in the Movies - Belle and Sebastian** "If they follow you, don't look back, like Dylan in the movies" **Yer Blues - The Beatles** "I feel so suicidal, just like Dylan's Mr. Jones" **A Simple Desultory Philippic - Simon & Garfunkel** "He's so unhip that when you say Dylan he thinks you're talkin' about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was"
>"He's so unhip that when you say Dylan he thinks you're talkin' about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was" The man ain't got no culture
Well its alright ma! Everybody must get STONED
I dropped my harmonica Albert
The best, Rodney Crowell, Beautiful Despair Beautiful despair is hearing Dylan when you're drunk at 3 a.m Knowing that the chances are no matter what you'll never write like him Oh, brother
John Lennon - God (the line ‘I don’t believe in Zimmerman’)
Also Yer Blues (feel so suicidal, just like Dylan's Mr Jones)
There’s also a song from Lennon called Serve Yourself which was a direct parody of Gotta Serve Somebody, and some demo tapes where Lennon imitates Bob’s voice, [including a song where he just reads the day’s newspaper while using that voice](https://youtu.be/_HTl_LfjKIo?si=p_ZGUe7URl2shiAE)
There's an earlier version of that song where the line is 'I don't believe in Dylan'
Minutemen - History Lesson Part II Mr. Narrator / This is Bob Dylan to me / My story could be his songs / I'm his soldier child
Double Nickels on the Dime is a world champion of an album.
And also the most obvious by the Minutemen - Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs.
When Jason Isbell sings “the line you stole from Dylan” I assume he means Bob, but I guess it could be Thomas…”
He’s got Dylan lyrics tattooed on his arm. Assuming it’s referencing Bob is a safe bet Side note: great song. He didn’t play that one, but I saw him live for the first time last week. Magical. If Dylan wasn’t still alive, Jason Isbell would have a right to being the best living songwriter
'Whoever ever he was, the man ain't got no culture"
It’s actually an homage to Dillon; Carl Weather’s character in Predator.
Frank Zappa - Flakes ("wanna buy some mandies, Bob?) - it's clear from context it's him Beastie Boys - 3 Minute Rule ("chillin' like Bob Dylan") Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (feat Aqua) - Barbie World ("I told to bring the Bob Dylan out")
I just put Flakes on it’s been so long what a great tune.
And the toilet blew up later on the next day-ay-ay.
best one here
Wtf does that Nicki line even mean
Buggered if I know! I'm glad our boy is there though. In that pink Ferrari, we peelin' out I told Tae bring the Bob Dylan out That pussy so cold, we just chillin' out They be yellin', yellin', ye-yellin' out It's Barbie, bitch, if you still in doubt (ooh)
I listen to this clip every few months, just to hear Bob saying, "Cooky Puss." https://youtu.be/vZMCw6YxaI8?si=IdcX834J7wGDLrrW
Fabulous! Thank you.
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d Into Submission) Song by Simon & Garfunkel I knew a man, his brain was so small He couldn't think of nothing at all Not the same as you and me He doesn't dig poetry He's so unhip that when you say Dylan He thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas Whoever he was The man ain't got no culture But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned
The entire song is a parody of Dylan
I prefer to call it an homage, or a send-up at the very least.
Yeah, not sure how it was intended. Simon was probably tired of all the comparisons by then
For sure. “Here’s a song ala Dylan, since that seems to be what you want so much” A little before my time, but I have no problem putting Paul right up there with Dylan as one of the very best American songwriters of the 20th/21st centuries.
He’s 100% up there.. John Fogerty as well
The original version from Paul's fists solo LP The Paul Simon Songbook has the last line, ,it's alright, it's just something I learned over in England.
Gotta Serve Somebody (you can call me Zimmy)
Neil Young - "Bandit" "No one can touch you now. I can touch you now. You're invisible. You've got too many secrets. Bob Dylan said that. Or something like that."
I guess that was after Bob name checked Neil
When did he do that?
Highlands: I’m listening to Neil Young, I gotta turn up the sound / Someone’s always yelling turn it down / Feel like I’m drifting / Drifting from scene to scene / I’m wondering what in the devil could it all possibly mean?
Cat Power - song to Bobby
Wilco - Bob Dylan's 49th Beard Cross Canadian Ragweed - Brooklyn Kid
Not by name, but both parties confirm that Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust" is about him.
T.Rex - Ballrooms of Mars
‘Telegram Sam’ - T. Rex Has someone other than Dylan been id’d as Bobby? ‘Bobby's alright Bobby's alright He's a natural born poet He's just outta sight’
Frank Turner - I Am Dissapeared is one of my favorite Dylan name checks!
In a similar folk punk vein there's also Bob Dylan dream by Against Me!
Only Children by Jason Isbell Mr. Jones, Counting Crows We Didn’t Start The Fire, by Billy Joel
Rick Nelson “Garden Party” Mr Hughes stood in Dylan’s shoes, wearing his disguise
“I dig Bobby Dylan, and I love big John Cash And I think Waylon Jennings is a table thumpin’ smash And hearin’ Joni Mitchell feels as good as smokin’ grass But if you don’t like Hank Williams honey, you can kiss our ass” - Kris Kristofferson
FINALLY somebody mentioned Kris Kristofferson!
Kristofferson and Townes Van Zandt are the only American songwriters I’d put on the same level as Bob(not better than Bob, just they’re good enough to be mentioned together)
Adam Yauch (MCA) on Beastie Boys’ ”[3 Minute rule](https://open.spotify.com/track/5mew4rexHu1IV6kTXqH3Nu?si=ax4My4jaR1u0iNCkdCsReg)” ”I’m just chillin / like Bob Dylan”
In Johnny Ryall they also say “cause he ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s Farm no more”
Good catch!
Wyclef Jean's Gone Till November: 'so I'm knocking on heaven's door like I'm Bob Dylan' Bob cameos in the video too.
Long and Whining Road by Public Enemy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_and_Whining_Road
Came here to say this one too...such a great song.
[Talking Bob Dylan - Loudon Wainwright III](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO6yGnpo64A) [Nina Cried Power - Hozier \(featuring Mavis Staples\)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2YgDua2gpk)
Ballrooms on Mars by T Rex
Also Telegram Sam although he doesn’t say his last name. “Bobby’s alright, he’s a natural born poet he’s just out of sight”
Give Peace A Chance “Bobby Dylan”
John K Samson’s When I Write my Master’s Thesis is a play on When I Paint My Masterpiece
Awesome call, you a Weakerthans or Propagandhi fan?
Harvey Danger, "Problems and Bigger Ones" - It doesn't make me cry to hear Dylan say "most likely, you go your own way" I'll go mine, I'll go mine
In built to spills song you were right he says “you were right when you said a hard rains gonna fall” kind of counts.
Talib Kweli - Happy Home His parents saw “Bob Dylan when he was top billin”
"Wild and she's willing Into early Dylan" [Heidi Is A Headcase](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEgFAMkeWM4&ab_channel=Ramones-Topic) - Ramones
Fall Out Boy: “Bob Dylan”
Christy Moore, "Zozimus & Zimmerman"
Hootie and the blowfish -I only wanna be with you “Put on a little Dylan sitting on a fence I say that line is great, you ask me what it meant by Said, I shot a man named Gray, took his wife to Italy She inherited a million bucks and when she died it came to me I can't help it if I'm lucky I only wanna be with you Ain't Bobby so cool?”
This was my first thought, surprised I had to scroll so far. But that Hootie and the Blowfish album was actually the first CD I ever got when I was in like 5th or 6th grade.
Havent seen it yet, but “Gone Country” sung by Alan Jackson has the line “Cause some of that stuff don't sound much different than Dylan”
Give The Anarchist A Cigarette by Chumbawamba. Dylan by Emmy The Great ('[Like, reading an Italian book from the 13th century](https://genius.com/13059692/Emmy-the-great-dylan/Like-reading-an-italian-book-from-the-13th-century)/Is not that hard to do...)
Not a song, but Stephen Stills at Woodstock said “we ain’t Dylan”
Widespread Panic - Tickle the Truth into Submission - “Don’t look now, but I’m rippin’ off Dylan”
I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man by John Craigie
Also I remember this question was asked before and the clever comment (not by me) was: Gotta Serve Somebody
Ralph McTell - Zimmerman Blues
Another Like You by Hayes Carll
“You say Dylan’s overrated, while singing Tangled Up in Blue” Great song
"Walkin' On Down the Road" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Back when RHCP were good.
The Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
“Bob Dylan Dream” by Against Me
The mid 80s Christian new wave singer Steve Taylor mentioned him in his 1984 song Meltdown (at Madame Tussauds) "Dylan may be filling the puddle he designed, is it gonna take a miracle to make up his mind" Comedy folk singer Wally Plesant has a song called 'Sons of Bob Dylan which is all about the next bob dylan trend. And Loudon Wainwright III has a great song called "Talking New Bob Dylan Blues" about the pressures of being dubbed a 'next Bob Dylan.'
Til Tuesday - Coming Up Close
The Jesus & Mary Chain song The Eagles and the Beatles. I was born Bob Dylan I grew up with Beatles I got laid, Sex Pistols I got drunk on Crystals
I Wanna Kiss Bob Dylan by Rita Wilson (who also happens to be Tom Hanks' wife)
[Hey Bobby - Sage Francis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmbHOeMKekw) Its basically a sequel song to Masters of War about Bush-era Iraq
“I don’t live here anymore” the war on drugs, also humorously Hootie and the Blowfish’s “I only wanna be with you”
Dan Bern—Talkin’ Woody, Bob, Bruce & Dan Blues
Thelonious Monster’s “The Bob Dylan Song” from California Clam Chowder (because no one else would know that one)
Saw you standing in the hallway Red plastic cup and one of them big long cigarettes You asked me if I could play you some Dylan I said "Dylan who?" and you told me to kiss your ass Drive By Truckers, Panties in Your Purse
The Ballad of Bob Dylan- David Peel and the lower East Side. Bet nobody’s posted that one yet lmao
“Bastard Son” by John Wesley Harding (“Bob Dylan is my father/Joan Baez is my mother/and I’m their bastard son”)
A bit different to all the others, but Black Thought's verse on 'copy cold' by mach-hommy
One that I really like is Jason Isbell - Only Children. Name checks Dylan and throws in a Springsteen reference for good measure
“Bob” by Weird Al Yankovic doesn’t mention him in the lyrics, but it’s very obviously a spoof of his style.
Al telling the story of writing this song is [pretty funny](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIt6hkemVo0&t=8s)
The Joker from American Pie
The Jester
Bob Dylan’s Grandma by Diarrhea Planet
Well, if they follow you, don't look back Like Dylan in the movies - Belle and Sebastian
The Tubes. What do You Want from Life
I think Hootie and The Blowfish got sued for just straight up using the lyrics to Idiot Wind on Only Wanna Be With You
Although never mentioned by name, 'Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez I'd about her affair with Bobby I. The 60s. Judas Priest (a band named after a Dylan song) would do a cover of Diamonds and Rust
Neil Young’s Twisted Road: First time I heard "Like A Rolling Stone" I felt that magic and took it home Gave it a twist and made it mine But nothing was as good as the very first time Poetry rolling off his tongue Like Hank Williams chewing bubble gum Asking me, "how does it feel?"
ik the post is asking for songs, but I love stephen king and he name drops dylan and quotes him semi-frequently.
L.A. Salami's "The Scene" But if you play this game you′ll learn a trick, how to grow a pair and make them stick, like the tatoo of Bob Dylan on my arm.
I’ve thought this verse from Jackson Browne’s “Looking Into You” was referencing Bob: The great song traveler passed through here And he opened my eyes to the view And I was among those who called him a prophet And I asked him what was true Until the distance had shown how the road remains alone Now I'm looking in my life for a truth that is my own
Neil Young’s “Bandit” on the Greendale album makes a reference/name-check. Good song too.
Mr Jones Counting Crows
Talking New Bob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III. https://open.spotify.com/track/0XLErri8gfXecR6NWR71bY?si=y1gUnJQcTbCBZxr6Wf8A7A&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5bxlBl1Qnm67pCCscjfkpJ
Bob Dylan - Fallout Boy
Mr. Jones and me, I want to be Bob Dylan Counting Crows
In Brazil there is a song called "A marchinha psicótica de Doctor Soup", goes like this "I had a dream with that strange old alien That was Bob Dylan's head, Ginsberg Allen's beard" (Eu tive um sonho com aquele velho estranho alien, que era, Cabeça Bob Dylan e Barba Ginsber Allen). and another one from Raul Seixas that he says "Despite that boring and stubborn voice I'm not here to complain And I'm not just the singer, I've been through Elvis Presley I imitated Mr. Bob Dylan, you know I'm tired of watching the sun go down" (Apesar dessa voz chata e reniente, eu não estou aqui para reclamar e não sou apenas O CANTOR, eu já passei por Elvis Presley, imitei o Mr.BobDylan, you know, eu estou cansado de ver o sol se por". There are songs call "i wannna be Bob Dylan", "I wann kiss Bob Dylan" and "I wanna kill Bob Dylan" also. Player=Doctor
I wanna say Jesus Jones “Right Here Right Now” mentions him
Dylan by Emmy The Great from her incredible record First Love “And you say Dylan is a sentiment That you don't want to share” Later on she references Tangled Up In Blue…. “Oh and all the things you talk about But never say to me, And all the things to talk about That I could say to you, Like reading an Italian book From the 13th century, Is not that hard to do.”
Beastie Boys. Their landmark Paul’s Boutique borrows a line from Dylan’s protest-of-protests “Maggie’s Farm” on their lovable bum tale “Johnny Ryall.” And on “3-Minute Rule,” MCA even drops his own unique props: “I’m just chillin’, like Bob Dylan.” Three years later, the boys would sample Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” for their “Finger Lickin’ Good” — a clearance that would ultimately cost them $700. Mike D told Boston Rock, “He asked for $2,000. I thought it was kind of fly that he asked for $2,000 and I bartered Bob Dylan down. That’s my proudest sampling deal.”
Garden Party - Rick Nelson
Laura Imbruglia - Harsh Dylan Songs "Harsh Dylan songs are now my vice- I Don’t Believe You and Don’t Think Twice! Positively 4th Street sometimes"
T. Rex Telegram Sam and Ballrooms Of Mars, Marc Bolan & Roy Wood Skateboard "Bobby's alright, Bobby's alright, He's a natural born poet, He's just outta sight" "Bob Dylan knows, And I bet Alan Freed did, There are things in night, That are better not to behold" "Hendrix, Loved the way his guitar exploded, Dylan boy the way his head told it, Made me understand me"
Bob Dylan wrote propaganda songs by Minutemen
Ready Steady Go by Generation X
Does Adrian Belew's Dylan impression on Frank Zappa's Flakes count?
Solomon Burke Stepchild , also written by Bob Dylan
Diamonds & Rust - Joan Baez
Bob Dylan Blues - Syd Barrett Gaslight Rag - Dave Van Ronk
Here's a playlist of songs that reference Dylan. Perhaps not definitive but a lotta good ones on here: [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qQEFYfPzyEVLOwyES8u70?si=983ff9baaf624f66](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qQEFYfPzyEVLOwyES8u70?si=983ff9baaf624f66)
Bob and Woody, Dan and Bruce; Dan Bern
Todd Snider - Thin Wild Mercury It was all over some new Bob Dylan song / That Phil had the nerve to say sounded wrong / Dylan stopped the car, words shook like a fist / "Phil you ain't a writer, you're a journalist"
Not really in the song lyrics but on Phil Ochs' live album "Phil Ochs in Concert" he does a funny intro for Canons of Christianity: The other night a voice came to me Turned out it was God He said "Ochs wake up, this is God here, over" I said, "You're putting me on of course Dylan."
The Beatles - Yer Blues Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
Dave Hause - The Mermaid “I don’t need Bob Dylan’s blazer don’t need Jeff Tweedy’s”
[удалено]
unauthorized biography of bob dylan by paper ceilings musical preference by homeless gospel choir
Against me - Bob Dylan’s dream Frank Turner - I am disappeared
Dylan Shades by Aaron Lee Tasjan Also, I can’t believe nobody has mentioned Gone til November by Wyclef Jean! Bob even makes a cameo in the video
“He’s so unhip, when you say Dylan, he thinks you’re talking about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was. The man ain’t got no culture. But it’s alright Ma, everybody must get stoned’ - A Simple Desultory Philippic, Simon and Garfunkel
Alan Jackson - Gone Country One of the songs on Neil Young's Greendale references Like A Rolling Stone.
The Charging Sky - Jenny Lewis - So my mom, she brushes her hair And my dad starts growing bob dylan's beard And I share with my friends a couple of beers
From an album that also includes a cover of the Wilburys *Handle With Care*
Weird Al Yankovic's Bob
David Allen Coe "Willie Walton and me " and " castles in the sand" (song is like a Bob Dylan tribute) And a bunch more
Hootie & The Blowfish - Only Wanna be with you - quoted verbatim from Idiot Wind and did not credit Bob, got sued and settled
John Maus - Mental Breakdown, in a roundabout way "The answer my friends is blowing in the mind, blowing underneath your friends car"
If you don’t like Hank Williams - Kristofferson
Mr. Jones - Counting Crows
Till Tuesday "Coming Up Close" ("we got back in the car and listened to a Dylan tape")
Ballrooms of Mars by Trex
Gone country by Alan Jackson. “Some of that stuff doesn’t sound much different than Dylan.”
Gone County- Alan Jackson
John Oszajca - Where's Bob Dylan when you need him
Ryan Bingham: Dylans Hard Rain
A Simple Desultory Philippic by Simon & Garfunkel
Beastie Boys - 3 Minute Rule A lot of parents like to think I'm a villain · I'm just chillin', like Bob Dylan
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z\_7uburYTX0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_7uburYTX0) bob dylans beard. jeff tweedy
Mr Jones by Counting Crows
Mr Jones (duh)
Hey Dude by Adam Green "Bob Dylan was a vegetables wife"
Mr Jones, Counting Crows
The Auteurs- [*Chinese Bakery*](https://youtu.be/97k1Y5Is8PQ) features the line “seen Bob Dylan on a motorbike” at about 1:35.
The Who - The seeker “I asked Bobby Dylan, I asked the Beatles”
And you totally knew that. Read the whole post, me! 🙄
The Minutemen- History Lesson Part II
Hozier- Nina Cried Power
Wilco “Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard”
Alan Jackson - Gone Country
A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) by Simon and Garfunkel
Ballrooms of Mars - T. Rex
Counting Crows- Mr Jones