All Along the Watchtower

"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written by folk-rock musician Bob Dylan. Dylan originally wrote the song's lyrics in reverse, beginning with the "All Along The Watchtower" verse, and ending with the now opening lines, "'There must be some way out of here,' said the Joker to the Thief." The song was recorded by the artist as a quiet, menacing three-chord folk song, featuring only an acoustic guitar, bass guitar, harmonica and drums for release on his equally quiet and menacing album John Wesley Harding, which was released on December 27, 1967.

Cover versions

The song has been covered by many artists, including Richie Havens, Brewer & Shipley, XTC, the Indigo Girls, U2, Run DMC, Neil Young, TSOL, Elton John, Michael Hedges, Dave Matthews Band, Howie Day, and The Grateful Dead.

Related Topics:
Richie Havens - Brewer & Shipley - XTC - The Indigo Girls - U2 - Run DMC - Neil Young - TSOL - Elton John - Michael Hedges - Dave Matthews Band - Howie Day - The Grateful Dead

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Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist Jimi Hendrix recorded a notable version, one which has overshadowed Dylan's own performance. He heard the track after being taken to a party by Traffic's Dave Mason. Hendrix, a longtime fan of Dylan's work, commented he would love to cover the track. The same night, Dave Mason and Hendrix recorded their version, with Brian Jones present in the studio. While Dylan's version had been minimalistic and menacing, Hendrix's spared nothing—his wailing electric guitar and sing-song vocal delivery were wholly different from Dylan's quiet folk performance. Hendrix rearranged the song to include several electric guitar solos, and included it on his album Electric Ladyland (1968). Released as a single, it was an immediate hit—the only Top 40 single Hendrix would release in his lifetime. Many assumed that Hendrix had written the song himself, so different was his delivery from Dylan's. Dylan's subsequent live performances of his own song have also used an electric guitar and been closer to Hendrix's arrangement than his studio version; however, it should be noted that most of Dylan's contemporary live performances use electric guitars, and he typically re-arranges all his songs in concert. Hendrix's version was featured in the movie Withnail and I.

Related Topics:
Jimi Hendrix - Traffic's - Dave Mason - Brian Jones - Electric guitar - Folk - Electric Ladyland - 1968 - Top 40 - Withnail and I

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