3 Classic Bob Dylan Duets that Will Blow Your Mind

Not only has the Minnesota-born Bob Dylan written some of the best songs and released some of the most iconic records of all time, but he’s been around for decades. Yet, there remains something mysterious about the artist. Does anyone really know him? He’s almost like a solo musical marauder traveling from town to town. Living in the shadows, hat pulled over his eyes.

Yet, Dylan has worked with some of the biggest names in music history many times over and he’s even performed on stage with several of them. Here below, we wanted to explore three such examples. A trio of duets between Dylan and some iconic performers. Indeed, these are three classic Bob Dylan duets that will blow your mind.

“It Ain’t Me” by Bob Dylan and Joan Baez (1964)

Ah, weren’t these two love birds so cute? Here they are performing Dylan’s song from his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan live at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964. Smiling and giggling through the lyrics, the two romantics ironically performed the song about a breakup. And during the endearing performance the two folk icons sing,

Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I’m not the one you want, babe
I’m not the one you need

You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who’s never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain’t me, babe
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe

“Forever Young” by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen (1995)

When you’re Dylan and you’ve been so impactful and inspirational, you’re bound to have those who follow your lead. And for many years, Bruce Springsteen, with his poetic lyrics that read almost like folk rock songs, was often said to be the “next Bob Dylan,” as if such a thing could ever be possible. Still, the two got together for a performance of Dylan’s iconic 1974 song “Forever Young” at the 1995 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. Together they sing,

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young

“Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones (1998)

Perhaps Dylan’s most famous song, “Like a Rolling Stone” could only be made better when performed with The Rolling Stones. Here, Dylan linked up with the British-born blues-rock band in 1998 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a performance of the 1965 song from Dylan’s classic LP Highway 61 Revisited. With organ blaring and Mick Jagger dancing, Dylan and company sing,

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?
People call say ‘beware doll, you’re bound to fall’
You thought they were all kidding you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hanging out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging your next meal

How does it feel, how does it feel?
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone