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Lunch Hour Veg: Covering Bob Dylan
Literally tens of you demanded the Lunch Hour Veg return. Actually, I may have that number bit high.

I don't know what artist has been "covered" the most in popular music. The smart money would be on The Beatles. To place, I would bet Dylan. Show? Probably the Stones.

Artists starting covering Dylan almost immediately. Performers like Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary, The Animals and The Byrds all had early Dylan covers on their records. Here are some of the greats covering some of Bob's massive catalogue.


Hendrix playing "All Along the Watchtower" live at the Isle of Wight.


Pearl Jam performs "Masters of War."


Johnny and June and "It Ain't Me Babe."


The White Stripes do the hugely underrated "Isis" in London, 2001.


Slowhand and "Blackie" with a bluesy rendition of "Don't Think Twice It's Alright."

Listen to Bob Dylan...

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9 Comments

Elvis and Chuck Berry must be covered pretty well too I'd bet.

said E on September 3, 2008 3:35 PM.

I looked into it a little more. Looks like I was right with the Beatles and Dylan at 1 and 2. 3 apparently is The Ramones. Fantastic.

The Stones are at 5. Elvis at 10. Robert Johnson is at 17.

I don't know how accurate this is:

http://www.secondhandsongs.com/stats/artist_covered.html#stat

said Johnny Wright on September 3, 2008 3:42 PM.

The Dave Mathews Band have done some of the best covers i've seen. Not that their music doesn't stand for it's self but i love when they cover "watchtower and the maker".

Elton John would rank high i bet as well.

said phatlard on September 3, 2008 5:44 PM.

Bah. I haven't liked his stuff since he went electric back at Newport. Sell-Out.

said E on September 3, 2008 6:03 PM.

atttaboy jw, dig the stripes one, that rocked indeed

said notjohndoe2 on September 3, 2008 8:09 PM.

You know, Scarlett Johannson supposedly did an album of Tom Waits covers. You need to check that out and let us know how it is. Listen w/o predjudice now, as George Michael would say.

said E on September 3, 2008 11:01 PM.

I heard some of it. I am a huge Tom Waits fan so I was overly critical. It didn't work for me.

said Johnny Wright on September 3, 2008 11:07 PM.

i'll do a tom waits cover and put it up here

said notjohndoe2 on September 4, 2008 12:54 AM.

I'm a fan of The Wire and the theme song for that was done by Tom and covered by a different band/artist each season (I think). The first season was done by The Blind Boys of Alabama (I think). Thought they did it best. Kind of fun to appreciate different versions for sure.

Back in the Napster days a friend of mines thing was to just get covers. He just thought they were more, well, that je ne cest quo or whatever.

Part of me gives Scarlett credit for not caring, part of me wonders if shes surrounded by syncophants who'll record her passing gas and calling it grammy material.

said E on September 4, 2008 12:54 AM.
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