Shannon Welton

Ms. Colvin

ENG 1201

16 February 2019

A Comparison of Two Versions of the Same Song

No matter which version you listen to, All Along The Watchtower is a powerful and

thought provoking song. Both artists that covered the song created beautiful and moving

versions of the song. Bob Dylan and Jimmy Hendrix are both very talented artists that each

have their own unique take on the song. Jimmy Hendrix’s version seems to be more about the

instrumental and musical power of the song, while Bob Dylan’s version seems to grab attention

with the power and emotion behind his voice singing the lyrics.

In Bob Dylan’s version, the song is full of Biblical imagery. The imagery paints a clear

picture for the listener. The robber can be perceived as the same thief who fled crucifixion when

Jesus took his place. The merchants who drank wine. The plowman who dug my soil. The

conclusion remains unsure. We can never really know what was truly running through his mind

in the seemingly darker version of this song. The song ends just as the two riders ' main

characters and the wildcat turn up on the scene. As for Hendrix, his version is fantastic, maybe

the only time I can make the case for a Dylan cover being superior to the original. Amazingly, it

was the only top 40 song for Hendrix. Both artists put their own spin on this beautifully written

song.

The overall energy and tone in both versions is very different. Dylan said in an interview,

that he got the inspiration to write the song during a thunderstorm. After listening to Bob Dylan’s

version I understand what he meant by drawing energy from the storm and putting it into music.

It is clear to the listener that Dylan’s version has a darker and almost painful sounding tone.

There is clear passion behind the words he is singing that can be heard through his voice. The
song starts out with a somber sounding harmonica and leads into the lyrics, “there must be

some way out of here”. From the tone in his voice, the first few words already strike and

emotional response from the listener. As the song goes on, the lyrics continue to draw you in

and almost force you to reflect on life. The song makes you think. It is clear that Bob Dylan

wants the focus of the song to be the lyrics. The instruments in the background are merely just

to ask musicality. The lyrics are the true masterpiece in this version.

Jimmy Hendrix made his own twist on Bob Dylan’s original version. The song starts out

with strong instruments instantly demanding your attention. From the beginning, the energy is

clearly different. It evokes a lighter and less heavy sense in the listener. The lyrics sound like

they are being easily sung by Hendrix, while in Dylan’s version it almost sounded like it was

painful for him to sing such words. The instruments in the background and the lyrics Hendrix is

singing mesh together to create one whole sound. They work together to paint an entire picture

for the listener. The energy and speed of the song is faster. This version makes you want to

dance and clap your hands. As I stated earlier, Dylan's version makes you think.

I believe that there is no set “type” of person these songs are aimed at. I think that

anyone that enjoys music will like these songs. Both versions of the song are well written and

produced. Speaking on a deeper level to the true meaning of these songs, I think there is still no

target audience for the song. You can be male or female to reflect on the lyrics. No matter what

age you are, you can still ponder over your life. I think that is the true purpose of both versions

of the song; to get the listener, whoever that might be, to think and reflect on what is being said.

Both versions of this song were written by musical geniuses. One version is not better

than the other because even though they have similar lyrics, the songs do not have the same

purpose. Dylan’s version is about the emotional response it will create in every listener.

Hendrix’s version is about the musicality and the skill behind the instrumental parts of the piece.

Any person that enjoys music that is more than just background noise will like both versions of

this song. Both artists created incredible pieces of music that are more than admirable.
 Works Cited

Magazine, The New York Times. “The Top 25 Songs That Matter Right Now.” The New York

Times, The New York Times, 7 Mar. 2019,

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/03/07/magazine/top-songs.html#/bruce-springsteen.