Musical Titans: Eric Clapton’s Evolving Admiration for Bob Dylan
Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, two seminal figures in music history, have cultivated a long-standing mutual respect. Their relationship, spanning decades, has seen Clapton develop a profound appreciation for Dylan’s significant impact on the musical landscape, despite initial hesitations.
Early Perceptions and a Shift in Perspective
Clapton’s understanding of Bob Dylan’s music has transformed considerably over time. Initially, his view of Dylan was influenced by what he termed a “healthy prejudice,” as recounted in his autobiography.
Initial Reservations Towards Dylan’s Style
In his early career, Clapton was not particularly drawn to Dylan’s distinctive style, especially his vocal delivery. He openly admitted in his memoir that he initially failed to grasp Dylan’s appeal until he encountered “Blonde on Blonde,” an album that dramatically altered his viewpoint. His esteem grew as he began to acknowledge the brilliance inherent in Dylan’s songwriting prowess.
Growing Appreciation in the 1970s
During the 1970s, a period of intense musical exploration for Clapton as he drew inspiration from diverse sources, he revisited Dylan’s body of work. This re-engagement led him to a deeper recognition of Dylan’s artistry and skill.
‘Song to Woody’: A Resonating Track
Among Dylan’s compositions, “Song to Woody” particularly resonated with Clapton. This track, penned by Dylan as a tribute to Woody Guthrie, the folk luminary who profoundly shaped his artistic journey, held special significance.
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Clapton’s Acclaim for ‘Song to Woody’
In a 1985 interview with The Telegraph, Clapton asserted, “Have you heard that thing he wrote about Woody Guthrie? That to me is the sum of his life’s work so far. Whatever happens, that is it. That sums it up.”
The Genesis of ‘Song to Woody’
Dylan’s decision to compose “Song to Woody” in the early 1960s marked a crucial juncture in his career. While already recognized for his interpretations of traditional folk songs, Dylan felt a compelling need to create original material.
Speaking to WNEW-FM in 1985, Dylan explained, “One day, I just wrote a song, and it was the first song I ever wrote, and it was a song for Woody Guthrie.” He further elaborated, “I just wanted a song to sing and there came a certain point where I couldn’t sing anything, I had to write what I wanted to sing because what I wanted to sing nobody else was writing, I couldn’t find that song someplace. If I could’ve I probably wouldn’t have ever started writing.”
Collaboration and the Gift of ‘Sign Language’
Over the years, Dylan and Clapton fostered a professional rapport founded on mutual respect. This connection culminated in Dylan contributing a track to Clapton’s album “No Reason to Cry.”
The Enigmatic ‘Sign Language’
The song, “Sign Language,” penned by Dylan, was presented to Clapton with minimal explanation. As Clapton detailed in his autobiography, “One day he came in and offered me a song called ‘Sign Language,’ which he had played for me in New York. He told me he had written the whole song down at one sitting, without even understanding what it was about.” Dylan himself acknowledged the song’s ambiguous origins, admitting he didn’t fully comprehend its meaning upon writing it.
Despite its unclear genesis, Clapton was deeply attracted to the track. He recalled, “I just loved the words and the melody, and the chord sequence was great.”
Covering ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’
In the mid-1970s, Clapton recorded a cover version of Dylan’s renowned song, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Released as a single in 1975, Clapton’s rendition offered a reggae-infused interpretation of Dylan’s original composition.