Dylan Week: The Top 10 Worst Bob Dylan Covers Ever

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William Shatner was the ultimate musical troll of his time. His spoken-word, 'beatnik' covers of the '60s and '70s were uniformly hilarious and terrible. And one of his most famous contributions to 20th century popular music was his cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man:"

William Shatner was the ultimate musical troll of his time. His spoken-word, 'beatnik' covers of the '60s and '70s were uniformly hilarious and terrible. And one of his most famous contributions to 20th century popular music was his cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man:"

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William Shatner was the ultimate musical troll of his time. His spoken-word, 'beatnik' covers of the '60s and '70s were uniformly hilarious and terrible. And one of his most famous contributions to 20th century popular music was his cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man:"

Gothamist

James Blunt sounds like a "sexy" dying cat on this cover of "I Want You." Not to be confused with Blunt's own song "I Really Want You."

James Blunt sounds like a "sexy" dying cat on this cover of "I Want You." Not to be confused with Blunt's own song "I Really Want You."

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James Blunt sounds like a "sexy" dying cat on this cover of "I Want You." Not to be confused with Blunt's own song "I Really Want You."

Gothamist

Don't get us wrong: we LOVE Roxy Music. But lead singer Bryan Ferry—an avid Dylan lover—has produced his fair share of questionable covers with his quivering voice, especially on this wacky, unsuccesful version of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." At least the music video is pretty cool!Just to reiterate: Roxy Music are awesome, and when Ferry lays back on the quivering, he can pull out some really sweet Dylan covers, like this understated rendition of "Make You Feel My Love:"

Don't get us wrong: we LOVE Roxy Music. But lead singer Bryan Ferry—an avid Dylan lover—has produced his fair share of questionable covers with his quivering voice, especially on this wacky, unsuccesful version of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." At least the music video is pretty cool!Just to reiterate: Roxy Music are awesome, and when Ferry lays back on the quivering, he can pull out some really sweet Dylan covers, like this understated rendition of "Make You Feel My Love:"

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Don't get us wrong: we LOVE Roxy Music. But lead singer Bryan Ferry—an avid Dylan lover—has produced his fair share of questionable covers with his quivering voice, especially on this wacky, unsuccesful version of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." At least the music video is pretty cool!Just to reiterate: Roxy Music are awesome, and when Ferry lays back on the quivering, he can pull out some really sweet Dylan covers, like this understated rendition of "Make You Feel My Love:"

Gothamist

We don't feel the vitriol toward Michael Moore that many do, but one thing's clear: keep him away from an acoustic guitar and flute:

We don't feel the vitriol toward Michael Moore that many do, but one thing's clear: keep him away from an acoustic guitar and flute:

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We don't feel the vitriol toward Michael Moore that many do, but one thing's clear: keep him away from an acoustic guitar and flute:

Gothamist

Cliff Richards is lesser known in America these days, but he's a British icon and joke all at once, with schmaltzy covers like this one of "Blowin' In The Wind:"

Cliff Richards is lesser known in America these days, but he's a British icon and joke all at once, with schmaltzy covers like this one of "Blowin' In The Wind:"

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Cliff Richards is lesser known in America these days, but he's a British icon and joke all at once, with schmaltzy covers like this one of "Blowin' In The Wind:"

Gothamist

From the aforementioned Chimes Of Freedom compilation—this is perfect if you like your Dylan covers to sound like screechy sub-Green Day emo-punk. Or whatever. Who hasn't listened to "Desolation Row" and wished it has some RIPPING GUITARS?

From the aforementioned Chimes Of Freedom compilation—this is perfect if you like your Dylan covers to sound like screechy sub-Green Day emo-punk. Or whatever. Who hasn't listened to "Desolation Row" and wished it has some RIPPING GUITARS?

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From the aforementioned Chimes Of Freedom compilation—this is perfect if you like your Dylan covers to sound like screechy sub-Green Day emo-punk. Or whatever. Who hasn't listened to "Desolation Row" and wished it has some RIPPING GUITARS?

Gothamist

We're disappointed in you Bon Jovi, though this isn't exactly unexpected: the singer of classics like "Wanted Dead Of Alive" sounds right at home teaming up with Seal and Robert Palmer for a truly miserable soft-rock rendition of the greatest rock 'n' roll song of all time.

We're disappointed in you Bon Jovi, though this isn't exactly unexpected: the singer of classics like "Wanted Dead Of Alive" sounds right at home teaming up with Seal and Robert Palmer for a truly miserable soft-rock rendition of the greatest rock 'n' roll song of all time.

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We're disappointed in you Bon Jovi, though this isn't exactly unexpected: the singer of classics like "Wanted Dead Of Alive" sounds right at home teaming up with Seal and Robert Palmer for a truly miserable soft-rock rendition of the greatest rock 'n' roll song of all time.

Gothamist

Another cover of "Like A Rolling Stone" makes us wonder: were dramatic-reading albums REALLY that popular in the '60s?

Another cover of "Like A Rolling Stone" makes us wonder: were dramatic-reading albums REALLY that popular in the '60s?

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Another cover of "Like A Rolling Stone" makes us wonder: were dramatic-reading albums REALLY that popular in the '60s?

Gothamist

Anyone who has seen Battlestar Galactica knows what we're talking about. Skip ahead to the 2:30 mark to hear vocals!

Anyone who has seen Battlestar Galactica knows what we're talking about. Skip ahead to the 2:30 mark to hear vocals!

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Anyone who has seen Battlestar Galactica knows what we're talking about. Skip ahead to the 2:30 mark to hear vocals!

Gothamist

The worst of the worst. Just...listen.

The worst of the worst. Just...listen.

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The worst of the worst. Just...listen.

Gothamist

And the rest of the best of the worst!Avril Lavigne-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—stop covering this song, everyone.Cage The Elephant-"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll"—mumbling the lyrics does not make you sound deep.Robert Berger-"Lay Lady Lay"—it's really hard to cover this song, especially when you hit the wrong notes.Jason Mraz-"Man Gave Names To All The Animals"—acoustic reggae. Nope.Sonny and Cher-"Like A Rolling Stone"—at least the video is interesting:Daniel Bedingfield-"Man In The Long Black Coat"—you can hear what he's going for here, but it's way, way too cluttered:Guns N' Roses-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—some people likely really like this song. We don't.

And the rest of the best of the worst!Avril Lavigne-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—stop covering this song, everyone.Cage The Elephant-"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll"—mumbling the lyrics does not make you sound deep.Robert Berger-"Lay Lady Lay"—it's really hard to cover this song, especially when you hit the wrong notes.Jason Mraz-"Man Gave Names To All The Animals"—acoustic reggae. Nope.Sonny and Cher-"Like A Rolling Stone"—at least the video is interesting:Daniel Bedingfield-"Man In The Long Black Coat"—you can hear what he's going for here, but it's way, way too cluttered:Guns N' Roses-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—some people likely really like this song. We don't.

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And the rest of the best of the worst!Avril Lavigne-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—stop covering this song, everyone.Cage The Elephant-"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll"—mumbling the lyrics does not make you sound deep.Robert Berger-"Lay Lady Lay"—it's really hard to cover this song, especially when you hit the wrong notes.Jason Mraz-"Man Gave Names To All The Animals"—acoustic reggae. Nope.Sonny and Cher-"Like A Rolling Stone"—at least the video is interesting:Daniel Bedingfield-"Man In The Long Black Coat"—you can hear what he's going for here, but it's way, way too cluttered:Guns N' Roses-"Knockin' On Heaven's Door"—some people likely really like this song. We don't.

Gothamist