Why David Bowie Felt He Had a Kinship With Bob Dylan—and Why the Feelings Weren’t Mutual

Many artists have to choose between critical acclaim and commercial success. The biggest hits aren’t often the most revered in songwriting circles, and songs that are revered don’t often top the charts. However, there is a small crop of legendary artists that have managed to do both, to a certain extent. Bob Dylan leads that pack. David Bowie once considered his place on the spectrum between free artistry and hitmaker status, aligning himself with Dylan.

Videos by American Songwriter

Why David Bowie Felt He Had a Kinship with Bob Dylan

Despite his laudable career, Bowie felt that he failed to reach the chart track record that many of his peers did. Instead of comparing his career to that of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, he compared himself to Dylan. Bowie called Dylan an artist who didn’t “sell records” but nonetheless earned a respectable career.

“Ive had a few singles that have been quite popular, but I haven’t had that many hits,” Bowie once said. “I’ve had a couple of number ones, but I’m better known for albums. The Beatles or The Rolling Stones or Springsteen have hits, I sort of have well-known songs. So I’ll align myself with Dylan on that one: he’s the same, he doesn’t sell records either, but he’s really well known.”

The Feelings Weren’t Mutual

Ah, hear this, Robert Zimmerman
I wrote a song for you
About a strange young man called Dylan
With a voice like sand and glue

The feeling wasn’t mutual between Bowie and Dylan, at least in Bowie’s eyes. Despite being complimentary of The Bard, Bowie felt like Dylan “hated him.” After meeting Dylan in his younger years, he felt he wasn’t well-received.

[RELATED: Remember When: Bob Dylan Relocated His Mojo on a Pair of Folk Albums in the Early 90s]

“We’re not great friends,” Bowie added elsewhere. “Actually, I think he hates me.”

Bowie didn’t let this tarnish his opinion of Dylan. He even went as far as penning a song in his honor. Revisit Bowie’s “Song for Bob Dylan” below.

Ah, here she comes, here she comes, here she comes again
The same old painted lady from the brow of the superbrain
She’ll scratch this world to pieces as she comes on like a friend
But a couple of songs from your old scrapbook could send her home again

(Photo by White/Sunday People/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)