We Rank George Harrison’s Bob Dylan Covers

When two of music’s most distinctive voices cross paths, the results are bound to leave a mark. George Harrison and Bob Dylan didn’t just admire each other from a distance—they built a bond that lasted decades, growing from mutual respect into genuine friendship. Their connection wasn’t just personal; it seeped into their music in ways that fans still treasure.

While Dylan often spoke highly of Harrison’s talents—calling him a rare and intuitive songwriter—Harrison found his own way of returning the favor. Rather than leaning on grand statements, he turned to Dylan’s songs, covering them with the same quiet intensity that defined much of his solo work. In his hands, Dylan’s words took on a fresh warmth, filtered through Harrison’s distinct style.

These covers weren’t casual choices either. They reflected a shared spirit between two artists who understood each other beyond the surface. As we rank George Harrison’s Dylan covers, we’re not just comparing performances—we’re tracing the outlines of a friendship that managed to survive fame, distance, and the many storms of their respective careers.

 

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“Absolutely Sweet Marie”

In 1993, George Harrison took to the stage at Madison Square Garden for Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert, a rare public appearance that spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship. Even though Harrison had largely retreated from live performances by then, he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to honor someone he admired so deeply. The event brought together some of the biggest names in music, but Harrison’s presence was one of the evening’s emotional high points.

When it came time for his performance, Harrison chose to cover “Absolutely Sweet Marie”, treating the audience to a faithful and heartfelt rendition. Instead of reworking the arrangement, he stayed remarkably close to Dylan’s original version, letting the strength of the song’s lyrics and melody shine through. His delivery was relaxed but precise, a fitting tribute rather than a reimagining, and a reminder of how well he understood Dylan’s songwriting spirit.

Dylan himself once praised a particular lyric from “Absolutely Sweet Marie”, reflecting on the song’s vivid imagery and personal significance. That deep, multi-layered meaning wasn’t lost on Harrison, who approached the performance with evident respect. His rendition captured not just the surface-level charm of the track but also the emotional undercurrents that have kept Dylan’s work resonant across decades.

“Abandoned Love”

The story of “Abandoned Love” is filled with a kind of quiet irony, as both Dylan and Harrison left their versions of the song on the shelf for years. Dylan originally recorded it in 1975 but left it off his album Desire, only to release it a decade later on the Biograph compilation. Around the same time, Harrison had his own plans for the song, recording a demo that, mysteriously, never saw an official release.

Harrison’s version of “Abandoned Love” remains a hidden gem, passed around among collectors and fans who recognize its significance. It’s fascinating to think that Dylan would entrust such an emotionally charged song to Harrison, allowing him the freedom to interpret it in his own way. Though Harrison stayed fairly true to Dylan’s blueprint, he added a gentle, introspective tone that made the song feel even more personal.

Even after all these years, it’s surprising that Harrison’s take hasn’t been formally issued. Perhaps that’s part of what makes it special—a quiet token of friendship, never intended for wide commercial release. It remains one of the most intriguing pieces of their shared history, a reminder of the understated ways they supported and inspired each other.

“Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind”

While “Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind” has been covered by many iconic artists, George Harrison’s version remains an overlooked treasure. Unlike Johnny Cash or Jeff Buckley, whose renditions gained considerable attention, Harrison’s take lived mostly in obscurity until recently. His choice to cover it wasn’t about making a splash—it was a spontaneous, sincere moment of connection to Dylan’s songwriting.

Thanks to Peter Jackson’s Get Back documentary, audiences finally caught a glimpse of Harrison casually jamming on the song during the Beatles’ tense 1969 sessions. The footage captures Harrison’s raw affection for the tune, stripping it down to its barest, most tender form. There’s something striking about hearing him break into the song so naturally, almost as if it had been living inside him the whole time.

Interestingly, Dylan himself didn’t think “Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind” was strong enough for one of his albums. Yet in Harrison’s hands, the song sounds anything but disposable. It’s a testament to Harrison’s gift for finding beauty in even the lesser-known corners of Dylan’s vast catalogue—and turning it into something that feels quietly timeless.

“I Threw It All Away”

“I Threw It All Away” is one of the standout tracks from Dylan’s Nashville Skyline album, and it quickly found a place in George Harrison’s heart. Long before its official release, Dylan shared the song with Harrison during a private visit, leaving a strong impression on the guitarist. It wasn’t just admiration; Harrison immediately felt compelled to make the song part of his own musical vocabulary.

During the Let It Be sessions, Harrison slipped into a performance of “I Threw It All Away”, offering a heartfelt tribute to Dylan’s country-flavored phase. The performance captured the song’s bittersweet tone perfectly, showcasing Harrison’s knack for tapping into the emotional essence of a track without overcomplicating it. His take was earnest and unpolished, a pure moment of fandom bleeding into artistry.

Although Harrison never performed “I Threw It All Away” live in concert, the recording survives as a quiet nod to Dylan’s influence. Dylan himself didn’t keep the song in heavy rotation during his tours either, retiring it in 2002. Still, Harrison’s casual studio cover stands as a meaningful snapshot of the musical kinship they shared

“If Not For You”

Of all the Dylan songs that Harrison touched, “If Not For You” occupies a special place, both in terms of timing and impact. After visiting Dylan and The Band in Woodstock, Harrison came away creatively recharged, ready to dive into the making of All Things Must Pass. During that stay, he and Dylan recorded a warm, collaborative version of the song, full of easy camaraderie and musical chemistry.

Although the version recorded with Dylan wasn’t the one that ended up on Harrison’s album, their collaboration clearly helped shape his final take. Released a few months before Dylan’s own version, Harrison’s “If Not For You” was bright, optimistic, and dripping with gratitude—a slight stylistic departure that still honored the original’s spirit. It captured the renewed sense of hope that both men were feeling at the time.

Calling Harrison’s recording a “cover” might feel a bit stretched, given the circumstances, but the song’s origins trace unmistakably back to Dylan. It stands as one of the best examples of how their friendship wasn’t just rooted in admiration—it was built on active collaboration. “If Not For You” is less a cover and more a shared conversation, one that continues to resonate decades later.