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This Wheel's On Fire
Bob Dylan wrote the lyrics in 1967, but didn't get around to releasing a version of this track with his own vocals for another eight years. By that time, two versions, one by The Band and the other by The Byrds, had come and gone with their own versions. The Band's, dating from July 1968, was the first released and is better than The Byrds simply because it features a group of musicians who knew exactly what to do with the track.
The Byrds' version from February 1969 features a group that was still getting to know one another as musicians. Clarence White's guitar is still pretty cool.
- Bob, Columbia, Missouri, United States, 12.10.2005
The Byrds
1969 |
vs. |
The Band
1968 |
| Click on the cover for listening |
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Click on the cover for listening |
Further information about song and bands:
The Byrds
Fanpage |
Lots of photos, some samples of Byrds songs, tabs and interesting reports of Byrds Fans, how they remember The Byrds. |
The Band
web site |
A great web site about The Band. Biographies of the band members, discography, lots of audio and video clips, lyrics, chords and much more - Everything you could imagine about this great band. |
Comments about This Wheel's On Fire:
Julie Driscol gets my vote ... and she's better looking than the rest!!
- Big Phil, Worcester, England, 24.01.2006 |
The Band's in my book. But Bob Dylan and Rick Danko sound like two falling angels pleading to rise on the Basement Tapes.
- Blind Timothy, Alexandria, United States, 29.12.2005 |
Dr. Byrds should have been billed as "Roger McGuinn and the Strangers."
- Jim, New York, United States, 08.11.2005 |
I'm surprised that Robbie Robertson didn't claim that he wrote the song -- he's claimed seemingly everything else.
- Rex Chickeneater, Kisumu, Other - Africa, 08.11.2005 |
Rick Danko's final album, "Times Like These" has the best version on this wheels...
- EDDIE, WOODSIDE, NY, United States, 03.11.2005 |
I've voted for the Byrds for Clarence's guitar. But in the UK Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity had a big hit with the song in April 1968 and it spent 16 weeks in the UK singles chart. That version is the definite one for me, being the first I heard. Later when I heard the Band version I though it was a bit anaemic. I've never liked the diminished chord in the second line, the Julie Driscoll version substitutes a stronger chord IMHO.
- David Thomas, London, England, 02.11.2005 |
The Dane is the only one who remembered that Danko co-wrote it (in Big Pink even) so it definitely belongs on the 1st album. End of story.
- M. Racioppa, Toronto, Canada, 02.11.2005 |
i think your all crazy, the big pink version is unbelievably amazing, it captures the frantic feeling of the song wonderfully while garth hudsons intro creates sound that have never been reproduced since. the byrds version makes me wrench. i love the byrds but the Band stands out atop of all other songs.
- Eric Knight, Greensboro, United States, 02.11.2005 |
Sorry to dowse the fiery thirst of controversy and conflict, but Uncle Buck is spot on. Above and beyond all, both groups would chuckle about this "discussion" and the major point missed: Listen to the words and feel the sound. All that matters. SeaJay from Florida
- SeaJay, St Petersburg, United States, 01.11.2005 |
How 'bout throwing Ian & Sylvia's crackling cover (from their wonderful "Nashville" album) into the mix? I like 'em all.
- David, New York City, United States, 01.11.2005 |
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