5 of Bob Dylan’s Best Duets

Bob Dylan is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, and he rarely needs a partner to give his music a sharper edge. Still, Dylan has collaborated with quite a few people throughout his long and seasoned career. These five musicians mark just a few of Bob Dylan’s best duets of all time.

1. Bruce Springsteen

Both Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan are absolutely legendary singer/songwriters, so it only makes sense that a duet or two between them would eventually happen. However, it is worth noting that Springsteen was a major fan of Dylan before they met, so the duet was a serious fanboy moment for him. The pair sang “Forever Young” in 1995 at Rock Hall.

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2. Johnny Cash

Surprisingly, not a lot of people know that Bob Dylan once sang a stunning duet with the late great Johnny Cash. Dylan originally recorded “The Girl From North Country” in 1963. When he was invited to be on Johnny Cash’s show a few years later, he convinced Cash to sing the song with him. The two remained friends until Cash passed away in 2003.

3. George Harrison

The Beatles’ George Harrison and Bob Dylan did a few duets together back in the day. “If Not For You” was just one of them, and likely the most memorable. The pair performed the song at the Concert For Bangladesh in 1971, and the rehearsal for the concert was just as memorable as the live performance itself.

4. Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton always loved collaboration, particularly for No Reason To Cry. The record featured a number of contributors from Van Morrison to Marcy Levy. Bob Dylan was the wildcard of this famous gathering. Clapton and Dylan recorded a version of Dylan’s song “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” during the iconic birthday party sessions.

5. Patti Smith

Bob Dylan and Patti Smith became friends over their mutual love for the spoken word and music. Their duet “Dark Eyes” was recorded around 1985 and was released on Dylan’s record Empire Burlesque. Smith would also go on to tour with Dylan for the Paradise Lost Tour. To this day, the two often speak about their mutual respect for each other.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives

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