Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.

Cover to Cover: Bob Dylan & George Harrison v Olivia Newton-John

Might sound a bit of a miss match but listen to both versions of this most beautiful love song and say which version you prefer


Bob and George 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjzTf9BVLR4

Olivia 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dqJnXmIEhc

Comments

  • Sure, ONJ had a nice voice and was a good looker (RIP), but too saccharine for me. George & Bob get my vote, not the most together performance but authentic.
  • edited August 2022
    Bob and George for me. Mainly because their synchronous strumming arms had a mesmerising effect like watching car window wipers.
  • George and Bob for me.
  • Bobby and George
  • Both versions have their charms. The ONJ version brings out the sweetness in the song, but perhaps overdoes it.
  • edited August 2022
    One of my favourite songs and a classic in the debate about Dylan as a performer or songwriter which Iirc has been debated on here.

    Bob and George both independently recorded versions which were very different. ONJ's is heavily influenced by Harrison and copy the guitar riffs which is why it gets my vote today.
  • The Neutron Bombshell all day. 

    Dylan, great songwriter, marmite performer IMO.
  • Olivia for me.
  • Can I be the first to say they were both absolute garbage. Dylan/Harrison sounded like two guys who know the song, but have never rehearsed together, while ONJ is just overdone saccharine. 

    Stick to the original and you won’t go wrong. 
  • Dylan & Harrison
  • Sponsored links:


  • Harrison and Dylan: 'you wouldn't hear a Robin sing'
    Olivia: 'you couldn't hear a Robin sing'

    The more important question is who got this right?
  • Can I be the first to say they were both absolute garbage. Dylan/Harrison sounded like two guys who know the song, but have never rehearsed together, while ONJ is just overdone saccharine. 

    Stick to the original and you won’t go wrong. 
    https://youtu.be/yyouhbgAiCA
  • edited August 2022
    Harrison and Dylan: 'you wouldn't hear a Robin sing'
    Olivia: 'you couldn't hear a Robin sing'

    The more important question is who got this right?
    Actually I've looked this up and it's 'couldn't' so I can only assume that Harrison got it wrong. 

    Anyway, I don't like this song all that muchbut I always think that if you do a cover version then you need to put a new slant on it, for better or worse.

    Therefore I vote Olivia although between the three I agree with @SomervilleAddick.

    Ultimately I personally prefer this over all three:

    https://youtu.be/XxUbD48zEqw
  • That ONJ version is appalling, despite her lovely voice.
  • Ferry's is a bit of a non-event, too MOR for me.
  • Can I be the first to say they were both absolute garbage. Dylan/Harrison sounded like two guys who know the song, but have never rehearsed together, while ONJ is just overdone saccharine. 

    Stick to the original and you won’t go wrong. 
    https://youtu.be/yyouhbgAiCA

    We have a winner.
  • Of the two options, Bob and George.
  • Dylan & Harrison for the edge. But ONJ for the sentiment. Both good songs but different genres entirely. I like them both. 
  • edited August 2022
    As I said above Olivia's version is almost identical in arrangement to George's solo effort which personally I prefer to Bob Dylan's.

    If Not For You (Remastered 2014) - YouTube

    Another similar version which I think is worthy of a mention is Glen Campbell.

    Glen Campbell - If Not For You. - Bing video

    Like all musical debates its a question of taste.

    Wikipedia has a good entry about the song and the various interpretations.

    If Not for You - Wikipedia

    The excellent Secondhand Songs site gives a definitive list of cover versions.

    Song: If Not for You written by Bob Dylan | SecondHandSongs

  • Dylan and Harrison for me but quite moving to see ONJ looking so young and innocent and with such a sweet voice 
  • Sponsored links:


  • Songs with 'You' in the title on Gary Crowley on Radio London this evening.

    The second song he chose was this one by ONJ.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Roland Out Forever!