THE NEXT TIMELESS SONG – MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE

The next timeless song

Bob Dylan has a long list of notable achievements. Although winning a Nobel Prize in Literature is an impressive feat, nothing compares to his song Make You Feel My Love. This song transcended the 20th century into the 21th century, making strides to becoming the next “timeless song”.

How the song began

Believe it or not – Make You Feel My Love’s first release was not by the song’s creator Bob Dylan! While Billy Joel was working on a greatest hits album with his label, Dylan’s team sent across ‘Make You Feel My Love’, and it was love at first sight.

Both artists worked with Columbia Records, where Don Lenner, who was at the time the record’s president, said he felt “riveted” by the song. He told Rolling Stone he listened to it more than a dozen times in a row, and “just knew that was one of Bob’s great love songs.”

Apparently the feeling was mutual, because Bob Dylan’s own take on the song, released in the album Time Out Of Mind, won a Grammy!

The meaning of the song

Make You Feel My Love is an emotionally raw love song. The song’s lyrics convey themes of unconditional love and devotion.

Dylan opens the song singing, “When the rain is blowing in your face, and the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace, to make you feel my love”. It leaves no room for doubt for the next three and a half minutes you will be serenaded into feeling as if you’ve been given a hug.  

Dylan describes the lengths he would go for the intended person’s love, “I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue, and I’d go crawling down the avenue, no, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do, to make you feel my love”. The song is poetic and reveals the strength of unconditional love. 

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Covers

Numerous successful singers such as Billy Joel, Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, and Adele have covered this heartwarming song. Each artist has his own special take on the fantastic piece. 

Bob Dylan’s music is known for its country and western feel, hence his take is accompanied by a band comprising of guitars and drums. His voice is gravely, deep, and easy to sing along.

Kelly Clarkson, in contrast, offers a wide vocal range in her take. She is a modern country singer who uses a soulful mix between guitar and piano. 

Covers

Adele’s version features a simple piano piece that pairs perfectly with her soft, soothing voice. 

Her manager, Jonathan Dickins, introduced her to the song. When she reflected on that experience she said, “I heard that song and I read the lyrics and they’re the most beautiful lyrics I’ve ever read or heard or sung …they kind of summed up everything I’m trying to write in my songs about how I felt. It’s such a beautiful song.” 

Covers

More than 450 versions of Make You Feel My Love have been recorded, an incredible feat that exhibits how much the song strikes a chord with everyone. Although we may never know who’s version is best, one thing remains clear – this song will last the test of time. 

But don’t just listen to us, take a moment to listen to this insightful analysis as well (especially from 3:30).

In conclusion…

Using Mel’s wise words on what makes a good song, we can conclude that the song has: 

• Thoughtful words
• Powerful emotions on love
• Covers that no matter what music you listen to bring us all together
• Passion
• Honesty/rawness 
• A story that moves you

We hope you’ve enjoyed the song as much as we have!

Links

BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z6fny4j/revision/1

Story behind the song: https://www.clashmusic.com/news/heres-the-real-reason-why-bob-dylan-gave-away-make-you-feel-my-love/