Written by Bob Dylan for his 1967 album John Wesley Harding, “All Along the Watchtower,” has since taken on a life of its own. Not long after Dylan released his version, the best guitarist of all time, Jimi Hendrix, cut a rendition for his album Electric Ladyland. That version became a top-20 hit in 1968 and led Dylan to praise Hendrix’s interpretation.
Since then, a myriad of artists has covered the track, including my personal favorite, Dave Matthews. In 2001, “All Along the Watchtower” earned a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and was later ranked as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top songs of all time.
Videos by American Songwriter
Below we have three versions from three of our favorite songwriters, including Dylan, himself.
Which is your favorite?
Read an analysis of the meaning of the lyrics to “All Along the Watchtower” here
Bob Dylan
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Dave Matthews Band
Most Viewed
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COLOGNE, GERMANY – OCTOBER 17: Phil Collins of Genesis performing on October 17, 1981 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
British singer and musician Mick Jagger (Michael Phillip Jagger) sitting beside British guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones wearing woman clothes. The two are founding members of British band The Rolling Stones. 1967 (Photo by Mondadori via Getty Images) -
Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for ABA -
Singer Patti LaBelle and musician Michael McDonald attend B'nai B'rth Honors Gala on June 25, 1986 at the Sheraton Center in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) -
LONDON – 1966: (L-R) Sonny Bono (1935-1998), an American singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and politician who with his then-wife Cher was one half of an American rock duo in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector, in London, England, 1966. (Photo by Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images) -
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Waylon Jennings Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
Portrait of Japanese-born artist and musician Yoko Ono and British musican and artist John Lennon (1940 – 1980), December 1968. (Photo by Susan Wood/Getty Images) -
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images