Many artists have covered a Bob Dylan song over the years. Given his throne in the world of modern songwriting, it only stands to reason his fellow musicians would want to honor him with a cover or two. However, not many have been lauded by the artist himself. In fact, there is only one that Dylan credits as being performed better than the original: Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”. Learn more about why Dylan adored The Boss’ cover, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
Bruce Springsteen’s Cover of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark too dark to see
Feels like I’m knockin’ on Heaven’s door
Mama put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin’ down
Feels like I’m knockin’ on Heaven’s door
“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” is one of Dylan’s most visceral efforts. Several subsequent artists have released famous versions of this song, but Dylan is partial to Springsteen’s live effort from the ’90s.
Springsteen never disappoints on stage. His career was built around being a spectacular live act. Springsteen’s live take on this Dylan classic was unsurprisingly a hit with the crowd. Though this song has a slow tempo, Springsteen didn’t sacrifice a morsel of energy. This subdued performance proves how adaptable his performing chops are. But, don’t take my word for it. Dylan once went on and on about how powerful this cover was. For a man who is notoriously loose-lipped when it comes to compliments, he was certainly out of character in the quotes, below.
Was Springsteen’s Rendition Better Than Dylan’s? Dylan Thinks So
“Incredible! He did that song like the record, something I myself have never tried,” Dylan once said. “I never even thought it was worth it. Maybe never had the manpower in one band to pull it off.”
“To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten how the song ought to go,” he added. “Bruce pulled all the power and spirituality and beauty out of it like no one has ever done. He was faithful, truly faithful to the version on the record, obviously the only one he has to go by. I’m not a nostalgic person, but for a second there it all came back.”
Dylan went on to call Springsteen’s cover “conscientious”. It’s not a word you hear often when talking about a performance, but it sums up how honored Dylan felt about this cover nicely.
“Bruce is a deep conscientious cat and the evidence of that was in the performance,” he added. “He can get to your heart, my heart anyway.”
Knock-knock-knockin’ on Heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on Heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on Heaven’s door
Knock-knock-knockin’ on Heaven’s door
Springsteen on Dylan
The admiration between Springsteen and Dylan is mutual. Like many of his peers, Springsteen has routinely heralded Dylan’s efforts. In his autobiography, Born To Run, Springsteen used a passage to wax poetic about the folk icon.
“Bob Dylan is the father of my country,” Springsteen once said of Dylan. “Highway 61 Revisited and Bringing It All Back Home were not only great records, but they were the first time I can remember being exposed to a truthful vision of the place I lived. The darkness and light were all there, the veil of illusion and deception ripped aside.”
Revisit Springsteen’s cover of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” below.
(Photo by Brian Moody/Shutterstock)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.