The Best Covers of Dylan songs – 2026 update

 

Compiled by Tony, but primarily created by readers of Untold.  Thank you everyone.

We produced our first list of great cover versions of Dylan songs some years ago (sorry I forget when) and new suggestions have been made from time to time.   So I thought I would republish the whole list with all the recent suggestions I could find.  If your suggestion is not here, or you have a new thought on a great cover version we ought to include, please do email your thought – if possible with a link to the recording on the internet – to Tony@schools.co.uk and I will try and include it in the next edition.

Meanwhile I reckon we have got getting on for 230 covers listed here which if you played them all would take over 18 hours to play.  But if I get more suggestions I will nevertheless publish an updated version.   Promise.

A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall by Jason Mraz .  Suggested by Jim

A Hard Rain’s a gonna fall from the TV series Peaky Blinders.  By Laura Marling, included by Jochen

Abandoned Love – Chuck Prophet.  Reviewed by Tony in All Directions “the build up to religion”

Abandoned Love – unknown solo artist.  Reviewed in All Directions by Tony

Absolutely Sweet Marie by Jason and the Scorchers, suggested by Dave Miatt.

Absolutely Sweet Marie by George Harrison, suggested by Imam Alfa Abdulkareem.

Absolutely Sweet Marie by Stephen Inglis in The Bob Dylan Twist by Larry

Acquaraggia plays Dylan Drifters Escape, Chimes, Blowing in the Wind

Ain’t Talkin  Bettye LaVette (from Dylan and Thomas Hardy)

All along the watchtower – Brian Ferry.  Suggested by Diego D’Agostino

All Around the Watchtower  Yul Anderson.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

All along the watchtower by Dave Matthews Band

Update linke Angelina by Ashley Hutchings, raved about by Tony

Are you ready by Fairfield Four, found in the search of songs starting with A

As I went out one morning;  Thea Gilmore.  Suggested by Ralph

As I went out one morning Sfuzzi

Baby, I’m in the Mood for You – Odetta.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Ballad of a Thin Man by Karina Denike in “From Hard Times…”

Blind Willie McTell.  (Rick Danko) Six Cover versions selected in “Beautiful Obscurity”

Blind Willie McTell (in Polish).  Following a concert promoted by Untold Dylan.

Blind Willie McTell – Garth and Maud Hudson.  Selected by Tony in All Directions

Blood on the Tracks by Mary Lee’s Corvette.  Suggested by Jerry Strauss.   The whole album is not on the internet at large but “You’re a big girl now” is  on line.  As is “Idiot wind” from the Blood on the Tracks Concert.

Blowin’ in the wind by McCrary Sisters.   Suggested by Johannes.

Blowin’ in the Wind.  Peter Paul and Mary.  Suggested Mike

Bob Dylan’s Dream.  Peter Paul and Mary (selected by Tony for article by Larry)

Boots of Spanish Leather by Patti Smith, suggested by Matt Rude

Boots of Spanish Leather on Dylan på svenska suggested by Jesper Fynbo [Spotify] (This link will start the whole album – you have to move down to the track suggested to play it)

Boots of Spanish Leather  Mandolin Orange and four other versions.  Commentary here.

Born in Time.  Meg Hutchinson  Selected by Tony for All Directions

Caribbean Wind  Svante Karlsson.  Suggested by Tony

Changing of the Guard by Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang, suggested by Matt Rude

Changing of the Guards by Patti Smith in “Bob Dylan and his mythology” by Larry

Clothes Line Saga by Suzzie and Maggie Roche suggested by Donald Tine

Country Pie by The Nice, suggested by Ken Willis.

Crash on the Levee by Tedeschi Trucks, suggested by Tony

De swalkers flecht (The Drifter’s Escape in Frisian).   Ernst Langhout & Johan Keus.  Suggested by Tony. The recording is on Spotify.

Desolation Row by Stan Denski.  Suggested by Stan Denski.

Desolation Row by Craig Cardiff.  All Directions

Desolation Row by Songdog, from “From Hard Times in York…”

Desolation Row by Robyn Hitchcock from “From Hard Times in York”

Dignity by Robyn Hitchcock from “The Dignity Covers”

Dignity by The Low Anthem, from “The Dignity Covers”

Dignity by Denny Freeman from “The Dignity Covers”

“Dignity” by Francis Cabrel from the Dignity Covers

Dirge by Michael Moravek, suggested by Paul.  [On Spotify]

Dirge by Erik Truffaz.  Suggested by Ralph.

“Don’t Think Twice” by Eric Clapton, suggested by Rabbi Don Cashman.

“Don’t Think Twice it’s All Right”  Ramblin’ Jack Eliot suggested by Tom Felicetti.

Don’t think twice by Girl Blue in Dylan’s Way to Leave his Lovers

Don’t think twice by Ralph McTell.  Suggested by Aaron

De kweade boadskipper (The wicked messenger in Frisian) by Ernst Langhout & Johan Keus.     Suggested by Johannes

Emotionally Yours by The O-Jays suggested by Imam Alfa Abdulkareem

Every Grain of Sand  Emmylou Harris.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Every grain of Sand 10 different versions.  Reviewed by Tony

Every grain of Sand by Lizz Wright

Farewell (Leaving of Liverpool) by Marcus Mumford.  Reviewed by Jochen

Farwell Angelina by Joan Baez

Father of Night Trigger Finger.  Suggested in All Directions

Foot of Pride.  Lou Reed.  Suggested by Laura Leivick

Forever Young by Joan Baez.  Suggested by Mike

Gates of Eden by Totta from Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Gates of Eden by Julie Felix selected by Jochen

Gates of Eden by Arlo Gutherie selected by Jochen

Gates of Eden by the Etonians.  Selected by Aaron.

Gates of Eden by Marc Carroll. Selected by Jochen

Gates of Eden by Jewels and Binoculars in In Search of Eden Part II

Girl from the North Country by Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell.  Suggested by anonymous contributor.

Girl from the North Country by Walter Trout. Suggested by Darrin Ehil.

Girl from the North Country by Paul Jost from Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Going, Going, Gone – Richard Hell & The Voidoids.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Groom’s still waiting at the alter – Elkie Brooks.  Suggested by Jochen

Hard Rain’s a gonna fall by Brian Ferry.  Suggested by Aaron

Heart of Mine by Norah Jones and the Peter Malick Group.  (All Directions at once)

Heart of Mine by Blake Mills and Danielle Haim

High Water by Big Brass Bed from Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Highway 61 Revisited – Johnny Winter.  Suggested by Laura Leivick

I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight by Judy Rodman  suggested by Steve Perry.

I’ll Remember You by Thea Gilmore suggested by Donald Tine

I Believe in You by Sinead O’Conner,  suggested by Matt Rude.

I Believe in you by Alison Krauss

I contain multitudes by Emma Swift, suggested by Tony

I dreamed I saw St Augustine by Thea Gilmore

I shall be released – The Band

I Threw It All Away – Yo La Tengo.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

I want you by Bruce Springsteen

Idiot Wind By Luke Elliot, suggested by Matt Rude.

Idiot Wind by Jeff Lee Johnson  Featured in All Directions

If not for you by George Harrison suggested by Larry Fyffe

If you gotta go, go now by Manfred Mann

I believe in you by Sinead O’Conner suggested in All Directions by Tony

I’m not there by Sonic Youth in Dylan and his mythology

I threw it all away.  Suggested by Peter

Isis by Pat Guadagno & Tired Horses featuring Yuri Turchyn in Bob Dylan and Osiris

It ain’t me babe by Joan Baez suggested by anonymous contributor

It Ain’t Me, Babe by Jesse Cook.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

It’s alright Ma (I’m only bleeding) by Bettina Jonic [Spotify], suggested by David Alexander-Watts.

It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue by Graham Bonnet, suggested by Matt Rude

It’s All Over Now Baby Blues by Them

It’s all over now Baby Blue by Bonnie Raitt

It takes a lot to laugh by Chris Smither selected by Tony for Larry article

I Threw It All Away – Peter Viskinde Band Peterfsa

John Brown – Eric Anderson.  In Beautiful Obscurity.

John Brown – Maria Muldaur.  In Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy.

Jokerman (sung in Polish) by Arlekin, suggested by Tony

John Wesley Harding by Jackson’s Gardem (in Dylan and Hardy part XX)

Jokerman Caetano Veloso in All Directions

Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – The Handsome Family.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Just like Tom Thumb’s Blues by Nina Simone suggested by Paul and separately by David Alexander-Watts.

Just like Tom Thumb’s Blues by The Tallest Man on Earth, suggested by Curtis Lovejoy.

Just like Tom Thumb’s Blues by Muffit Davies

Just like Tom Thumbs Blues by Judy Collins.  Selected by Jochen

Just like Tom Thumb’s Blues by Gordon Lightfoot.  Selected by Jochen

Just like Tom Thumb’s Blues by Nina Simone.  Selected by Jochen.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door   Warren Zevon

Lay Down Your Weary Tune – Sune Wagner (Ravonettes) Suggested by Peter

Lay Down Your Weary Tune – Tim O’Brien.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Le ciel est noir (A hard rain’s a-gonna fall) by Nana Mouskouri.  Suggested by Johannes

Let’s keep it between us by  Bonnie Raitt.  Suggested by Johannes

License to kill by Tom Petty (30th anniversary concert)

Like a Rolling Stone – Articolo 31.  Suggested by Fred Muller.

Like a Rolling Stone by Spirit suggested by Davy Allan.

Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts by Tom Russell (and friends) selected by Tony in All Directions

Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts by Rolling Ramshackle Review, selected by Tony

Lo and Behold by Coulson, Dean, McGuiness, Flint suggested by Mike Mooney

Lord Protect my Child  Suggested by Donald Tine

Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word – Joan Baez.  Suggested by Tom Haber.  The link is to the Untold Dylan review, which includes within it a recording of the song.

Love is Just a Four Letter Word – Joy of Cooking.  Reviewed by Jochen

Love minus zero – The Walker Brothers.  Suggested by John Wyburn.

Love minus zero Chrissie Hynde.  In “Beautiful Obscurity” with several others.

Love minus zero Judy Collins. In “Beautiful Obscurity” with several others.

Make you feel my love  Adele

Maggie’s Farm by Solomon Burke, suggested by Ingemar Almeros Almeros.

Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind by Idiot Wind, suggested by Matt Rude

Mama You Been On My Mind.   Bettye Lavette.  Suggested by Laura Leivick

Man in Me by Matumbi.  Suggested by Ray Ellis after Edition 1

Man in Me by Bobby Vee (in Dylan and Thomas Hardy)

Man in Me by Emma Swift selected by Aaron in Beautiful Obscurity

Man in the Long Black Coat – Mark Lanegan.   Suggested by Fred Muller.

Man of Peace by Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

Masters of War – Denny Freeman

Mississippi recorded live by Dixie Chicks, suggested by Tony

Mississippi by Chris and Kellie While in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Moonshiner by Charlie Parr, suggested by Edward Thomas.

Mr Tambourine Man – Melanie Safka.  Suggested Ken Fletcher.

Mr Tambourine Man by The Helio Sequence suggested by Imam Alfa Abdulkareem

Mr Tambourine Man by the Byrds.  Suggested by Mike.

Moonshiner Cat Power

My Back Pages by Magokoro Brothers suggested by Donald Tine

No Time to Think  suggested by Jochen, and ever since repeatedly by Tony

Not Dark Yet  Lucinda Williams

Not Dark Yet Eric Clapton.  Selected by Jochen

Not Dark Yet  Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer.   Selected by Tony

Oh Sister by Lisa Wahlandt.  Selected for Bob Dylan and Osiris

On the road again Julie Doiron Selected by Jochen

 One more cup of coffee by Frazey Ford.

One more cup of coffee by Nutz (Beautiful Obscurity)

 One more cup of coffee by White Stripes (Beautiful Obscurity)

One more cup of coffee by Robert Plan (Beautiful Obscurity)

One more cup of coffee by Big Runga (Beautiful Obscurity)

One more cup of coffee by Chris Durante in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

One more cup of coffee by Calexico (Beautiful Obscurity)

Positively Fourth Street by Simply Red, (review by Tony)

Property of Jesus by Chrissie Hynde (All directions)

Queen Jane Approximately by The Daily Flash suggested by Bill Shute.

She Belongs To Me by Nice, suggested by Ken Willis

She’s your lover now by Luxuria.  Suggested by Olaf

Shelter from the storm The Sachal Ensemble, on Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Shot of Love by Devilish Double Dylans suggested in All Directions

Tangled up in Blue by Indigo Girls.  Reviewed in All Directions.

To Ramona by Sinéad Lohan, suggested by Kurt-Åke Hammarstedt [Spotify – select track 9]

 Pony – The Dead Weather.  Suggested by Diego D’Agostino

One more cup of coffee – The White Stripes.  Suggested by Diego D’Agostino.

Please Mrs Henry – Manfred Mann

Political World – Keith Richards and Betty LaVette

Positively 4th Street by Johnny Rivers suggested by Tom Haber.

Precious Angel by Sinead O’Connor, suggested by Matt Rude

Pressing On – Chicago Mass Choir with Regina McCrary.  Suggested by Johannes

Property of Jesus – Chrissie Hind. Reviewed in All Directions 47 by Tony

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 by Old Crow Medicine Show.  Suggested by Vadim Slowoda.

Red River Shore by unknown duo, in Larry’s “The Bob Dylan Twist (continued).

Restless Farewell by Mark Knopfler, suggested by anonymous contributor

 Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands – Juliana Daily.  Suggested by Ian Patterson

Senor by Anna Kaye in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Seven Curses by June Tabor.  Suggested by Tony within a Larry article.

Seven days by Joe Cocker.  Suggested by Johannes.

She Belongs to me by Jerry, Phil and Bob, suggested by Edward Thomas.

Shot of Love  the Devilish Double Dylans

Simple Twist of Fate by Sarah Jarosz, suggested by Matt Rude

Slow Train by Glasyngstrom.  Reviewed in All Directions. One of the very few covers.

Soon after midnight Aoife O’Donovan in “Bob Dylan and Joseph Drake”

 Spanish Harlem Incident by Chris Whitley, suggested by Matt Rude

Stepchild by Jerry Lee Lewis in “The Bob Dylan Twist” by Larry.

Stuck inside of Memphis.  Old Crow Medicine Show

Subterranean Homesick Blues (in Polish) Dylan.pl.  in “Reading Bob Dylan”

Summer Days by Brothers Lazaroff in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy

Talking World War Three Blues by Krodokil.  Suggested by Jochen

 Tangled up in Blue by Indigo Girls, suggested by Tony

Tangled up in Blue by Bob Dylan.  Not a cover, obviously, but the major re-write

Tears of Rage by The Band in “Bob Dylan Approximately” by Larry

Tempest  Luke Vassella in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardyf

Tight Connection to My Heart by Sheila Atim (from Girl from the North Country) . Suggested by Tony Allen.

Things have Changed by Curtis Stigers

Things have Changed by Betty LaVette

Time Passes Slowly Judy Collins.  Repeatedly selected by Tony!

Times they are a changing.  Herbie Hancock.  Dylan before the basement

Tomorrow is a Long Time – Elvis Presley, suggested by Tom Haber

Tomorrow is a long time – Rod Stewart.  Suggested by Diego D’Agostino

Tomorrow Is a Long Time – Sandy Denny.  Suggested by Peterf

Tomorrow is a long time – Glen Yarborough

Tomorrow is a long time – Judy Collins

Too Much of Nothing.  Peter Paul and Mary.  Suggested by Tony.

Up to me by Roger McGuinn.  In All Directions

Visions of Johanna recorded live by Old Crow Medicine Show, suggested by Tony [Spotify]

Visions of Johanna by Marianne Faithfull

Visions of Johanna by Gerard Quintana from Bob Dylan And Fitz-Greene Halleck (Part II)

Wallflower – Buddy & Julie Miller. [Spotify] Suggested by Fred Muller.

Walls of Red Wing. Joan Baez.  Suggesfted by Laura Leivick

Wandering Kind by Paul Butterfield reviewed by Jochen.

Wanted Man by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.  Suggested by Matt Rude

Watching the River Flow by Leon Russell.  The Beautiful Obscurity article has multiple cover versions detailed.

What Good am I? – Solomon Burke. [Spotify] Suggested by Fred Muller.

What Good Am I by Tom Jones, suggested by Pat Sludden

What was it you wanted by Chris Smither.  Selected for “All Directions”

With God on our side  Buddy Miller.  Suggested by Fred Muller

When He Returns by Jimmy Scott.  Suggest by Donald Tine

When I Paint My Masterpiece by Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang, suggested by Matt Rude

When you gonna wake up by Lee Williams, in Bob Dylan Approximately by Larry

You changed by Life by Iva & Alyosha in Bob Dylan and Thomas Hardy