Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney have known each other for over four decades. In 1964, Dylan and The Beatles first met in New York, and the famous story goes that Bob introduced them to pot. Over the years, Dylan became friends with George Harrison, playing the Concert for Bangladesh, writing “I'd Have You Anytime,” with him, and of course, playing with The Travelling Willburys. In recent interviews, Dylan expressed his admiration for McCartney’s talents and McCartney in turn said that working with Dylan was one of his major ambitions. That's as far as it's gotten, no plans have been made, but there is a good degree of speculation about the possible musical merger.
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Neither McCartney nor Dylan have let any dust settle on their careers – both have been creatively active. Dylan tours constantly, and McCartney is taking himself and band around the Northeast this summer. Dylan’s latest CD, Together Through Life, reached number one on the US and UK charts. McCartney’s Memory Almost Full went to #3 on the Billboard charts, and both CD’s received high praise in their reviews. McCartney has also released a CD in collaboration with Youth, original songs of ambient music with vocals, called The Fireman. Pretty edgy stuff for someone past 64, a testament to McCartney's creative wellspring.
McCartney and Dylan are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to songwriting style – McCartney is a genius of memorable melody and Dylan is known for setting his lyric genius in established roots music song structures. Both men obviously admire each other, though, and it would be fascinating to see what would occur if these two giants of modern music got together to create.
Whether a collaboration pans out or not remains to be seen. That Dylan and McCartney could be considering it is enticing news to all of their fans. If enough fans are asking for it after hearing the speculation, who knows? Maybe Bob and Paul will shrug and say, "What the heck." Stranger things have happened.
Comments
they will never collaborate, Mc is too different in style than Bob and as we all know Bob doesnt just write songs with ANYbody, they have to be on the same vibe as him
Dylan didn't write 'If not for you' with George Harrison - he wrote it on his own... check your facts...
It was just reported in Uncut that McCartney said this is just press speculation and there no plans to work together. THis also leaves Ringo out. He was also reported to be onboard for the 'Session' that was to take place in LA. As interesting it is to think of what they would do together, it might have just come to nothing, think Dylan and Cash. That should have been a slam dunk, but for whatever reason, they didn't click, though the music was of historical interest, the results were never released (except for the cut on Nashville Skyline, and even though I like listening to them), I can see way.
hey darkeyez...dylan's last record had many songs co-written with Robert Hunter.
also, ever hear of jacques levy?
NEVER SAY NEVER WHEN IT COMES TO DYLAN, MCc AND HE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT STYLES BUT PUT OVER THE SAME MESSAGE IN THEIR MUSIC. THEY DON'T HAVE TO COMPROMISE, JUST GET TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT MAGIC THEY COME UP WITH, WHATEVER, JUST IMAGINE THE EXCITEMENT AND REACTION OF THE MILLIONS OF FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD. CAN'T SEE WHY THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR HEELS ON THIS ONE, THEY MUST KNOW IT MAKES SENSE, ARTISTICALLY AND BUSINESSWISELY.HAHA.
It was all nonsense from the start, when Dylan originally said 'you know, our paths would have to cross', he didn't mean physical paths, he meant creative paths, there would have to be a decent justification for them to do something.
Personally, I think it would be absolutely horrific anyways, the two are in no way compatible. McCartney is suited to collaborations he did in the past like with Michael Jackson and Elvis Costello, Dylan's territory would leave him sounding lost and apish, and vice-versa.
Also Johan, above it is written that he wrote, 'I'd Have You Anytime' with George Harrison, not If Not For you, and this is correct, check your facts.
Johan, you're right, thank you. I was thinking of "I'd Have You Anytime," which they wrote together, but they also recorded "If Not For You" together, though it was never formally released. The two songs crossed in my mind. Thanks for pointing my error out, it was corrected.
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