Music history is riddled with whispers of inspiration, collaboration, and, occasionally, accusations of imitation. But what happens when two musical titans like Bob Dylan and John Lennon find themselves at odds over a seemingly obscure song? This is the intriguing tale of a forgotten track that Bob Dylan believed John Lennon unknowingly borrowed for one of The Beatles' most iconic hits.
The relationship between Dylan and Lennon was anything but straightforward. It started with a bang—literally, a mind-altering bang—when Dylan introduced The Beatles to marijuana in a New York hotel room in 1964. This encounter not only changed their perspectives but also subtly influenced their songwriting. Lennon, in particular, began channeling Dylan’s introspective style, most notably in Norwegian Wood from Rubber Soul. Dylan, never one to shy away from a musical retort, fired back with Fourth Time Around, a track widely interpreted as a sly jab at Lennon’s imitation.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Dylan and Lennon shared a mutual respect, their competitive edge often overshadowed their camaraderie. Despite Dylan’s later friendship with George Harrison and their collaboration in the Traveling Wilburys, the tension between him and Lennon lingered. It wasn’t just about musical styles; it was about authenticity and originality.
Fast forward to 2008, when Dylan curated The Music That Matters To Me, a compilation of songs that had recently captured his attention. Among them was Doo Unto Others by Pee Wee Crayton, a 1954 track that Dylan believed had inadvertently inspired The Beatles’ Revolution. In the liner notes, Dylan speculated that Lennon might have heard the song at a party, its guitar riff sticking in his subconscious. And this is the part most people miss: Dylan pointed out that the opening of both tracks is strikingly, almost eerily, identical.
Lennon, however, had a different perspective. For him, Revolution was a deeply personal statement about his evolving views on political and social change. ‘I wanted to put out what I felt about revolution,’ he once said. ‘I wanted to communicate, to say, “This is what I say.”’ His time in India, grappling with spirituality and activism, shaped the song’s message, which he saw as a call to action rather than a mere musical experiment.
Is it a case of subconscious plagiarism or a coincidental collision of creativity? Dylan’s interpretation raises fascinating questions about inspiration and originality in music. While it’s unlikely Lennon deliberately copied Crayton’s work, the similarities are undeniable. What do you think? Is Dylan’s claim a stretch, or does he have a point? Let’s spark a conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below.
For those curious to hear the comparison, listen to Doo Unto Others and Revolution side by side. The resemblance might just leave you questioning the boundaries of artistic influence. After all, as Dylan once said, ‘A great record is more like alchemy—turning lead into gold for a couple of minutes.’
Related Reads:
- The Untold Story of Dylan and The Beatles’ First Encounter
- Revolution: Lennon’s Most Politically Charged Track
- Pee Wee Crayton: The Forgotten Blues Pioneer
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