Looking back at the relationship between two of the biggest icons of the 1960s—The Beatles and Bob Dylan—feels like a captivating telenovela filled with romance and rivalry.
While the two groups shared a mutual admiration and inspired each other during their rise to fame, their connection also had its share of prickly moments. Dylan often praised The Beatles but didn’t shy away from critiquing their work when he felt it didn’t match their potential.
Dylan and The Beatles were comrades in the whirlwind of the 1960s rock scene. After meeting early in their careers, The Beatles drew inspiration from Dylan’s introspective lyrics, especially John Lennon, who regarded him as a major influence.
However, admiration didn’t stop Dylan from candidly critiquing their music, especially when he believed they could do better.
Known for his unfiltered opinions, Dylan was never one to hold back, even if it meant ruffling some feathers.
In fact, his honest comments about The Beatles may have garnered him even more respect from the group, who were their own toughest critics. In a revealing 1966 interview, Dylan expressed his feelings of being distanced from the mainstream success that The Beatles enjoyed.
While The Beatles dominated with their catchy pop tunes, Dylan believed his lyrically complex works deserved broader recognition.Dylan’s outsider perspective has been a constant theme throughout his career, adding to his enigmatic charm.
In one of his critiques, he remarked, “I’m not gonna be accepted, but I would like to be accepted by the Hogtown Dispatch literary crowd who wear violets in their crotch.”
He highlighted The Beatles’ acceptance in the music world, saying, “The Beatles are accepted, and you’ve got to accept them for what they do.”
When asked about Joan Baez’s plans to cover “Yesterday,” Dylan didn’t hold back, labeling it a “cop-out” and criticizing the band’s more commercial sound. “Hey, God knows, it’s such a cop-out, man,” he said, pointing to the wealth of American music overlooked by mainstream audiences.
Despite his harsh words, Dylan later softened his stance, recording a version of “Yesterday” with George Harrison in 1970.
While opinions may vary on whether Dylan’s critiques stemmed from jealousy or genuine artistic concern, it’s clear that The Beatles held deep respect for him, welcoming any insights from a fellow artist they admired.
