We’re dipping into the Far Out Magazine vault to bring you a curious clash of musical styles as Bob Dylan’s iconic ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ is given a unique makeover by pop behemoths the Bee Gees.
Back in 1963, Bob Dylan was fast becoming the voice of a generation. His folk music was slowly being determined more often than not as protest songs and his newfound place at the forefront of American radicalism would see him not only become a legend in music but fight for civil rights and social justice wherever he could. It was a sentiment that would connect him with audiences across the globe.
Dylan’s songs have been covered by so many different artists that we would bore you to tears to list them all. But there’s one particularly rare cover of his anthemic anti-establishment piece ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ which will live long in the memory for us.
This cover features three young brothers with a particularly high tone of voice and harmonies which belie their young years. This cover was performed on Australian TV back in ’63 by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb also known as the Bee Gees.
The Brothers Gibb would go on to be one of the most successful recording artists of all time. The band, and their infectious pop songs, would soundtrack virtually every party in the 70s. Their popularity grew and fired them on to chart-topping success going on to become one of the best-selling artists in recent memory, having sold nearly 220 million records worldwide.
‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and released on his second studio album The Freewheelin ‘Bob Dylan in 1963 has often been labelled a protest song, and in many ways that’s true, but really the song is ambiguous and purposefully obtuse. It’s part of what lures the audience in, the ability to pick and choose the thread of ambiguity most desirable to them.
What’s truly wonderful about this cover is that these three young brothers are purely performing the song. They’re not offering a viewpoint or a statement, they’re just singing their song the best they can and enjoying every second of it. It’s a charming view of a band who would dominate the charts for decades to come.
Take a look at this brilliant video below and see a pre-fame Bee Gees sing Bob Dylan’s legendary song ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’
