5 Bob Dylan Albums You Need To Listen to Before You Die

If you’re not the biggest fan of Bob Dylan but felt yourself getting converted during A Complete Unknown, there are some essential albums out there that you absolutely should listen to. Let’s look at just five albums that are essential listening for any Bob Dylan fan, new or old!

1. ‘Blood On The Tracks’ (1975)

Bob Dylan has enjoyed quite a few different comebacks through the years. However, we’re particularly fond of his 1975 comeback with Blood On The Tracks. 

Dylan sounds so energized and refreshed on this album, and he manages to sound close to how he did during his heyday in the 1960s. Marital issues and fooling around with The Band will do that, apparently. This is one of Dylan’s angriest records, and it’s also his most melodic album to date.

2. ‘Bringing It All Back Home’ (1965)

There are certainly better Bob Dylan albums than Bringing It All Back Home from 1965. However, this was the record that launched Bob Dylan’s most creative era. It’s also a great album for bridging the “gap” between Dylan’s folk/protest tunes from his early career to his more rock star-oriented works. Both the electric and acoustic sides of this album are absolutely stellar.

3. ‘The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan’ (1963)

A beloved work for a reason, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan was the singer/songwriter’s first truly great album. Released in 1963, this is the record to listen to if you enjoy his unique voice; those dexterous vocals are on full display here. “Blowin’ In The Wind” is a classic, as is “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”.

4. ‘Blonde On Blonde’ (1966)

One of two solid Bob Dylan double albums, Blonde On Blonde was released after quite a busy year for Dylan. Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited were released in the same year, and he could have easily taken a break. 

Instead, Dylan put together this double album in 1966. It’s packed with genre-bending songs in folk, pop, rock, and even soul.

5. ‘Highway 61 Revisited’ (1965)

If you choose only one of Bob Dylan’s albums on this list to really listen to, choose this one. 

Highway 61 Revisited is, to many, Dylan’s finest piece of work. After making the controversial move to go electric in 1965, Dylan released one of the most beloved folk-rock records of all time. It’s bitter at times and funny at others, and all-around a truly groundbreaking album.

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