David Bowie’s extensive back catalogue is littered with references to other cultural figures. While these range from the subtle to the explicit, one that listeners have long deemed a clear show of deference is ‘Song for Bob Dylan’ from 1971’s Hunky Dory. While at face value, it seems like an obvious reference to Dylan’s own ‘Song to Woody’ – a piece written for his hero Woody Guthrie – it was actually the Londoner sarcastically poking fun at Dylan,
This was because at the time, Dylan had made it clear he was uncomfortable with being ‘The Voice of a Generation’, and hated the pressure that came with being the mouthpiece for the many. He’d had enough of fame. He wanted to live a quiet life, and concentrate on raising his family in the sleepy town of Woodstock, upstate New York.
Given that he’d tasted success with 1969’s ‘Space Oddity’ and was desperate for more, the self-confident Bowie spotted a gap in the market, and wrote ‘Song for Bob Dylan’ as his announcement that he was succeeding Dylan as the voice of his generation. Bowie told Melody Maker in 1976: “It was at that period that I said, ‘OK, Dylan, if you don’t want to do it, I will.’ I saw that leadership void”.
Bowie’s next album after Hunky Dory, was the iconic 1972 hit Ziggy Stardust, which confirmed him as a cultural heavyweight, and a star that was here to stay. In many ways, he did also become the voice of his generation due to the record’s bold explorations of sexuality, drugs, rock music, and stardom.
Given that Bowie would become a superstar over the rest of the 1970s, he and Dylan would cross paths on occasion. Naturally, this led to someone starting the rumour that he and The Bard would be collaborating with each other.
Speaking to Playboy in 1976, Bowie was asked about this supposed collaboration with Dylan. “You’re not noted for cordial relationships with other artists,” the interviewer started. “Yet there was the rumour that you flew to Europe to spend a sabbatical with Bob Dylan. What about it?”
“That’s a beaut,” the wily Bowie said, quickly dismissing the whispers. “I haven’t even left this bloody country in years. I saw Dylan in New York seven, eight months ago. We don’t have a lot to talk about. We’re not great friends. Actually, I think he hates me. We went back to somebody’s house after some gig at a club. We had all gone to see someone. I can’t remember who, and Dylan was there”.
Bowie continued: “I just talked at him for hours and hours and hours, and whether I amused him or scared him or repulsed him, I really don’t know. I didn’t wait for any answers. I just went on and on about everything. And then I said goodnight. He never phoned me.”
It seemed Bowie was comfortable in his position, asked if Dylan impressed him, he stated: “Not really. I’d just like to know what the young chap thought of me.”
