Written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967, it was the Hendrix cover of 1968 which really made the song famous. Many other artists have also covered it, including Eric Clapton, Neil Young, 'U2', the 'Dave Matthews Band' and 'The Grateful Dead'. But Dylan was so impressed with Hendrix's version that for years he played it the same as Jimi had.
Quote from Hendrix: "All those people who don't like Bob Dylan's songs should read his lyrics. They are filled with the joys and sadness of life. I am as Dylan, none of us can sing normally. Sometimes, I play Dylan's songs and they are so much like me that it seems to me that I wrote them. I have the feeling that 'Watchtower' is a song I could have come up with, but I'm sure I would never have finished it.
"Thinking about Dylan, I often consider that I'd never be able to write the words he manages to come up with, but I'd like him to help me, because I have loads of songs I can't finish. I just lay a few words on the paper, and I just can't go forward. But now things are getting better, I'm a bit more self-confident."
The single reached No. 5 in the British charts, and No. 20 on the US Billboard chart. And when news of Hendrix's death hit the streets two years later in 1970, a whole new lease of life was given to this recording, and those of other Hendrix standards, as the musical fraternity mourned his passing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix
For my money Hendrix was the best interpreter of Dylan. It would have been great if they had an opportunity to collaborate before Jimi's death. Excellent jam!!
Definitely an instance where the cover was better than the original. The other one that is close to this was the version Bear McCreary did for Battlestar Galactica.
17 Comments (since 5 Feb 2014)
leejohnson
Written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967, it was the Hendrix cover of 1968 which really made the song famous. Many other artists have also covered it, including Eric Clapton, Neil Young, 'U2', the 'Dave Matthews Band' and 'The Grateful Dead'. But Dylan was so impressed with Hendrix's version that for years he played it the same as Jimi had.
leejohnson
Quote from Hendrix: "All those people who don't like Bob Dylan's songs should read his lyrics. They are filled with the joys and sadness of life. I am as Dylan, none of us can sing normally. Sometimes, I play Dylan's songs and they are so much like me that it seems to me that I wrote them. I have the feeling that 'Watchtower' is a song I could have come up with, but I'm sure I would never have finished it.
leejohnson
"Thinking about Dylan, I often consider that I'd never be able to write the words he manages to come up with, but I'd like him to help me, because I have loads of songs I can't finish. I just lay a few words on the paper, and I just can't go forward. But now things are getting better, I'm a bit more self-confident."
leejohnson
The single reached No. 5 in the British charts, and No. 20 on the US Billboard chart. And when news of Hendrix's death hit the streets two years later in 1970, a whole new lease of life was given to this recording, and those of other Hendrix standards, as the musical fraternity mourned his passing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking my jam
BertrandRustles
That'll do to kick off my day Lee, cheers :)
anagog
For my money Hendrix was the best interpreter of Dylan. It would have been great if they had an opportunity to collaborate before Jimi's death. Excellent jam!!
rumn8tr
Definitely an instance where the cover was better than the original. The other one that is close to this was the version Bear McCreary did for Battlestar Galactica.
farood
@rumn8tr right on!
glimmer9
classic
bloggerlees
Soundtrack to Withnail speeding down the M1 pissed and pissing from a bottle - rock out!!!
HaveACuppaTea
Classic cover, though I think the lyrics are overshadowed (as I suppose they would be).
nangeanarendra
thanks for liking my jam
BeeBee
Time to strike the pose with a tennis racket!
Gellybean
Yes....
leejohnson
@BeeBee Left-handed, remember!!!! :)
leejohnson
@Gellybean Yes.