Bob Dylan wrote the blueprint, and the rest of the world brought their own colour to it. Few songwriters have been covered as often—or as brilliantly—as Dylan. His songs are elastic, mysterious, and wide open to interpretation. That’s why some of the most unforgettable performances of his work come from the voices of others.
Adele – “Make You Feel My Love”
Adele took this late-’90s Dylan ballad and turned it into a modern standard. Her version is stripped down, sincere, and raw in a way that brings the emotional core to the front. It’s one of the most-streamed Dylan covers ever—and for good reason.
The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man”
They didn’t just cover it—they electrified it. The Byrds gave Dylan a jangle-pop makeover that helped invent folk rock as we know it. The harmonies soar, the Rickenbacker shimmers, and the poetry still pulses underneath it all.
Guns N’ Roses – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”
Dylan’s gentle lament became a stadium anthem thanks to Axl Rose and company. This version brings power chords, wailing solos, and a whole new level of drama. It might not be subtle—but it’s unforgettable.
Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower”
Hendrix didn’t just reinterpret the song—he reinvented it. Dylan himself was blown away by the power of this version and started playing it Hendrix-style in concert. It’s thunder, fire, and prophecy in under four minutes.
Johnny Cash – “It Ain’t Me Babe”
The Man in Black brought gravitas and twang to this kiss-off classic. His duet with June Carter Cash gives the song a bittersweet tension that’s both romantic and realistic. Dylan’s irony meets Cash’s stoicism, and magic happens.
Nina Simone – “Just Like a Woman”
Simone slows it down, strips it bare, and delivers the lyrics with breathtaking vulnerability. It’s a quiet storm of a cover—intimate, aching, and full of emotional depth. Dylan wrote the song; Simone gave it soul.
Rage Against the Machine – “Maggie’s Farm”
RATM turned Dylan’s anti-establishment lyrics into a full-blown rebellion. Their furious, politically charged cover feels as fresh and urgent as ever. It’s proof that a protest song can rage in any genre.
Sam Cooke – “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Cooke’s voice brings gospel strength and deep feeling to Dylan’s civil rights anthem. It’s a version rooted in pain, hope, and transcendence. This cover helped push Cooke to write “A Change Is Gonna Come”—in itself, a world-changing result.
The Staple Singers – “Masters of War”
When the Staples tackled Dylan, they turned prophecy into a sermon. Their gospel-infused delivery adds a layer of righteous fire to this already searing song. It doesn’t just warn—it demands justice.
Beck – “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
Beck plays it loose and playful, leaning into the surreal humor of the original. His version swings with a bluesy, garage-rock swagger. The spirit of the song stays intact while Beck gives it his own eccentric twist.
George Harrison – “If Not for You”
Harrison and Dylan had a long creative friendship, and this cover feels especially personal. The slide guitar and Harrison’s gentle delivery make the song feel warm and open. It moves with kindness and melodic ease.
Joan Baez – “Farewell, Angelina”
Joan Baez gives this track a haunting beauty with her soaring voice and delicate phrasing. She approaches the lyrics with care and clarity, bringing out the melody’s elegance. The result is both timeless and poetic.
Norah Jones – “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight”
Norah Jones delivers a relaxed, jazz-inflected take on this laid-back country tune. Her smooth vocals float easily over soft drums and guitar. It’s mellow, breezy, and deeply enjoyable.
Dylan’s catalogue stretches across generations and genres, and these artists keep those songs moving forward. Each cover adds something rich, something new, and something true to the song’s heart.