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

Henry Irving
Henry Irving Posts: 85,221
in Not Sports Related
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

  • wightaddick
    wightaddick Posts: 211
    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.
  • Johnnysummers5
    Johnnysummers5 Posts: 8,469
    George and Bob for me.
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,022
    edited August 2022
    Bob and George for me. Mainly because their synchronous strumming arms had a mesmerising effect like watching car window wipers.
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,843
    Bobby and George
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    Both versions have their charms. The ONJ version brings out the sweetness in the song, but perhaps overdoes it.
  • Richard J
    Richard J Posts: 8,032
    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.
  • soapy_jones
    soapy_jones Posts: 21,350
    The Neutron Bombshell all day. 

    Dylan, great songwriter, marmite performer IMO.
  • Afternoon Delight
    Afternoon Delight Posts: 913
    Olivia for me.
  • SomervilleAddick
    SomervilleAddick Posts: 3,575
    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. 
  • stonemuse
    stonemuse Posts: 33,998
    Dylan & Harrison
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  • jimmymelrose
    jimmymelrose Posts: 9,750
    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?
  • jimmymelrose
    jimmymelrose Posts: 9,750
    SomervilleAddick said:
    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
  • jimmymelrose
    jimmymelrose Posts: 9,750
    edited August 2022
    jimmymelrose said:
    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
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,783
    That ONJ version is appalling, despite her lovely voice.
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,783
    Ferry's is a bit of a non-event, too MOR for me.
  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,783
    jimmymelrose said:
    SomervilleAddick said:
    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.
  • bristoladdick
    bristoladdick Posts: 1,147
    Of the two options, Bob and George.
  • Rob
    Rob Posts: 11,786
    Dylan & Harrison for the edge. But ONJ for the sentiment. Both good songs but different genres entirely. I like them both. 
  • Richard J
    Richard J Posts: 8,032
    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

  • lolwray
    lolwray Posts: 4,900
    Dylan and Harrison for me but quite moving to see ONJ looking so young and innocent and with such a sweet voice 
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  • jimmymelrose
    jimmymelrose Posts: 9,750
    Songs with 'You' in the title on Gary Crowley on Radio London this evening.

    The second song he chose was this one by ONJ.

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