The Songs Fans Didn’t Know were written for Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s impact on music is undeniable. He helped shape folk-rock, introduced electric instruments into the acoustic folk scene, and inspired countless musicians. His influence even extended beyond admiration—several of his peers wrote songs about him. Some were tributes, others were reflections, and a few took playful jabs at his personality. Here are four songs that were directly inspired by Dylan.

“Talk to Me” – Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan had a complicated friendship. They collaborated at times, but their relationship cooled over the years. Instead of addressing it head-on, Mitchell did what she does best—she turned it into a song.

Released in 1977, Talk to Me includes some pointed lyrics that seem to call Dylan out:

“Or we could talk about power / About Jesus and Hitler and Howard Hughes / Or Charlie Chaplin’s movies / Are you really exclusive or just miserly? / You spend every sentence as if it was marked currency.”

Dylan’s love for Charlie Chaplin is well-known, and the suggestion that he’s “miserly” fits his famously guarded personality. It’s a subtle but sharp critique wrapped in a catchy tune.

“Diamonds and Rust” – Joan Baez

Joan Baez and Bob Dylan’s relationship was legendary, and their music reflected it. In 1974, Baez released Diamonds and Rust, a folk-rock song that reminisces about an old lover who unexpectedly reaches out to her. She later confirmed the song was about Dylan.

Lines like “Well, you burst on the scene / Already a legend / The unwashed phenomenon / The original vagabond / You strayed into my arms / And there you stayed” paint a vivid picture of their time together. It’s a bittersweet reflection on love, fame, and nostalgia.

“Song to Bobby” – Cat Power

Also known as Chan Marshall, Cat Power wrote “Song to Bobby” in 2008 as a tribute to Dylan. For example, the song talks about how much he inspired her and how she wanted to be a singer like him when she was young.

She shows how much Dylan’s work affected her artistic journey through her heartfelt songs, which reflect both admiration and longing. An artist paying tribute to another artist is very moving.

“Serve Yourself” – John Lennon

Johnny Lennon and Bob Dylan had a unique friendship in which they both admired and were influenced by each other’s work. Their relationship began in 1964, and Dylan had a big effect on Lennon.

“Serving Yourself”, a song by John Lennon from 1980, talks about this impact. Beyond what people expected of him as a pop star, Dylan encouraged himself to embrace his own artistic personality. John Lennon wrote some of his most personal and introspective music during his single career because of this supportive feedback.