Dylan - Origins of songs covered by Dylan
by Moondance 
This chart will work chronologically through Dylan's albums that contain covers of others' song. Where the original song can be found, the relevant album will be listed, otherwise the closest to the original cover will do.
Albums with covers include:
Bob Dylan (March 1962) - Bob's debut album included 11 covers & 2 originals
Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (May 1963) - 2 covers
- Chart updated: 03/24/2025 22:45
- (Created: 08/02/2024 04:41).
- Chart size: 13 albums.
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Track 6 - You're No Good
Although not commercially released by Jesse until May 1963, it is believed that Dylan heard & learnt the song directly from Jesse around 1959.
Dylan covered this song on his March 1962 debut album 'Bob Dylan' as the opening track to the album (side 1, track 1) - and thus the opening track to his career as a recording artist! [First added to this chart: 08/12/2024]
Although not commercially released by Jesse until May 1963, it is believed that Dylan heard & learnt the song directly from Jesse around 1959.
Dylan covered this song on his March 1962 debut album 'Bob Dylan' as the opening track to the album (side 1, track 1) - and thus the opening track to his career as a recording artist! [First added to this chart: 08/12/2024]
Year of Release:
1963
Appears in:
Rank in 1963:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
Average Rating:
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Track 1 - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed
Blind Willie first recorded this song in 1928.
Dylan covered this song (retitled as 'In My Time Of Dyin'') on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 3. [First added to this chart: 08/12/2024]
Blind Willie first recorded this song in 1928.
Dylan covered this song (retitled as 'In My Time Of Dyin'') on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 3. [First added to this chart: 08/12/2024]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank in 1965:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Track 1 - I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow
Emry originally recorded this song in 1928.
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 4. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2024]
Emry originally recorded this song in 1928.
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 4. [First added to this chart: 08/13/2024]
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank in 1987:
None
Rank in 1980s:
None
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Track 11 - Fixin' To Die (by Bukka White)
Bukka White originally recorded 'Fixin' To Die' on 8 May 1940.
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' at side 1, track 5. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Bukka White originally recorded 'Fixin' To Die' on 8 May 1940.
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' at side 1, track 5. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Year of Release:
1959
Appears in:
Rank in 1959:
None
Rank in 1950s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Track 4 - Fennario
'Fennario' is an Americanised version of a much earlier traditional Scottish folk song titled 'The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie'.
In introducing 'Pretty Peggy-O' on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 6, Dylan says that 'he has travelled the whole country but he's never been to Fennario'. This suggests that the most likely source of Dylan's version of the song is The Journeymen's version, which was released in 1961 at the time Dylan would have been sourcing songs for his upcoming debut album. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
'Fennario' is an Americanised version of a much earlier traditional Scottish folk song titled 'The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie'.
In introducing 'Pretty Peggy-O' on 'Bob Dylan' side 1, track 6, Dylan says that 'he has travelled the whole country but he's never been to Fennario'. This suggests that the most likely source of Dylan's version of the song is The Journeymen's version, which was released in 1961 at the time Dylan would have been sourcing songs for his upcoming debut album. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Year of Release:
1961
Appears in:
Rank in 1961:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
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Track 3 - Highway 51
Curtis composed & then recorded this song in 1938.
Dylan covered this song (also borrowing lyrics from Tommy McClennan's 1939 'New Highway 51') on 'Bob Dylan' as the final track 7 of side 1. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Curtis composed & then recorded this song in 1938.
Dylan covered this song (also borrowing lyrics from Tommy McClennan's 1939 'New Highway 51') on 'Bob Dylan' as the final track 7 of side 1. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Year of Release:
1963
Appears in:
Rank in 1963:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Track 13 - Hold On
This traditional African American spiritual song was recorded by Odetta in concert and released in 1960.
It is most likely that Dylan, who greatly admired Odetta, learnt the song from her concert recording - although he renamed the song 'Gospel Plow' and covered it on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 1. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
This traditional African American spiritual song was recorded by Odetta in concert and released in 1960.
It is most likely that Dylan, who greatly admired Odetta, learnt the song from her concert recording - although he renamed the song 'Gospel Plow' and covered it on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 1. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Track 4 - Mama Let Me Lay It On You
A traditional American folk song originally recorded in 1935 by The State Street Boys (titled: 'Don't Tear My Clothes'). Several versions later, Blind Boy Fuller recorded his version in 1938 as 'Mama Let Me Lay It On You'.
It is most likely this version that Eric Von Schmidt re-arranged/retitled and played for Dylan in 1961.
Dylan credits the arrangement to Eric Von Schmidt on his cover of the song 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down' on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 2. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
A traditional American folk song originally recorded in 1935 by The State Street Boys (titled: 'Don't Tear My Clothes'). Several versions later, Blind Boy Fuller recorded his version in 1938 as 'Mama Let Me Lay It On You'.
It is most likely this version that Eric Von Schmidt re-arranged/retitled and played for Dylan in 1961.
Dylan credits the arrangement to Eric Von Schmidt on his cover of the song 'Baby Let Me Follow You Down' on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 2. [First added to this chart: 08/19/2024]
Year of Release:
1979
Appears in:
Rank in 1979:
None
Rank in 1970s:
None
Average Rating:
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Track 1 - House Of The Rising Sun
The origins of this traditional song remain unknown - English/US? What is known is that Dave Von Ronk used Hally's version and created a new arrangement which Dylan became aware of, & interested in, in late 1961.
Although Dylan credits the arrangement to Von Ronk on his own version on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 3 - Dylan did so without Von Ronk's permission. [First added to this chart: 03/24/2025]
The origins of this traditional song remain unknown - English/US? What is known is that Dave Von Ronk used Hally's version and created a new arrangement which Dylan became aware of, & interested in, in late 1961.
Although Dylan credits the arrangement to Von Ronk on his own version on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 3 - Dylan did so without Von Ronk's permission. [First added to this chart: 03/24/2025]
Track 8 - Freight Train Blues - originally recorded by Roy in 1936 & 1947.
Dylan adapted Mississippi Fred McDowell's version of this song (written by John Lair).
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 4. [First added to this chart: 08/03/2024]
Dylan adapted Mississippi Fred McDowell's version of this song (written by John Lair).
Dylan covered this song on 'Bob Dylan' at side 2, track 4. [First added to this chart: 08/03/2024]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank in 1965:
None
Rank in 1960s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 13. Page 1 of 2
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Dylan - Origins of songs covered by Dylan composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 15% | |
| 1960s | 7 | 54% | |
| 1970s | 2 | 15% | |
| 1980s | 1 | 8% | |
| 1990s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2000s | 1 | 8% | |
| 2010s | 0 | 0% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Various Artists | 2 | 15% | |
| Hally Wood | 1 | 8% | |
| Roy Acuff | 1 | 8% | |
| Blind Lemon Jefferson | 1 | 8% | |
| Jesse Fuller | 1 | 8% | |
| Henry Thomas | 1 | 8% | |
| Blind Willie Johnson | 1 | 8% | |
| Show all | |||
Dylan - Origins of songs covered by Dylan chart changes
| New entries |
|---|
| Songs From The Invisible Republic: The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan by Various Artists |
Dylan - Origins of songs covered by Dylan similarity to your chart(s)
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