Once an ardent admirer, John Lennon publicly lambasted Bob Dylan’s 1979 gospel track “Gotta Serve Somebody,” calling it “pathetic” and “embarrassing.” This surprising shift reveals the evolving, sometimes contentious, relationship between two of music’s most iconic figures, culminating in Lennon writing a parody song in response.
The musical landscape of the 1960s was profoundly shaped by the intertwined genius of The Beatles and Bob Dylan. It’s widely known that Dylan’s lyrical depth and folk sensibility significantly impacted John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s songwriting, pushing them beyond simple pop structures. However, by the late 1970s, the dynamic between these legends had shifted dramatically, culminating in Lennon’s unfiltered, and rather scathing, critique of Dylan’s then-new song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.”
Early Admiration: The Freewheelin’ Influence
Lennon’s initial encounter with Dylan’s work was nothing short of transformative. In 1964, while in Paris, Lennon, along with Paul McCartney, first heard Dylan’s album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. “For three weeks in Paris, we didn’t stop playing it. We all went potty about Dylan,” Lennon recalled in The Beatles Anthology.
This early exposure had a profound effect on Lennon’s writing. He openly acknowledged Dylan’s influence on tracks like The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away,” telling David Sheff, “That’s me in my Dylan period again. I am like a chameleon, influenced by whatever is going on… Same with Dylan,” as reported by The Beatles Bible. Dylan himself even recognized his own style mirrored in The Beatles’ Rubber Soul track “Norwegian Wood,” stating, “What is this? It’s me, Bob. [John’s] doing me!”
A Seismic Shift: Dylan’s ‘Gospel Period’ and ‘Gotta Serve Somebody’
Fast forward to 1979, and Bob Dylan embarked on a significant, and to some, controversial, spiritual transformation. He became a born-again Christian, which heavily influenced his music, ushering in what is now known as his “gospel period.” The album Slow Train Coming, released that year, was a testament to this change, with “Gotta Serve Somebody” serving as its opening track and lead single.
Recorded in May 1979 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and produced by Jerry Wexler, Barry Beckett, and Dylan himself, “Gotta Serve Somebody” showcased a new blues rock, Christian rock, funk, and gospel sound. Despite its polarizing nature, the song achieved considerable commercial success, peaking at No. 24 on the Hot 100 and remaining on the chart for 12 weeks. It also earned Dylan a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Male in 1980, a detail confirmed by Grammy.com.
Lennon’s Unfiltered Reaction: ‘Pathetic,’ ‘Embarrassing’
While many critics and fans lauded “Gotta Serve Somebody,” John Lennon was decidedly not among them. In an audio diary tape dated September 5, 1979, Lennon did not mince words about his former idol’s new direction. He expressed genuine disappointment and even a touch of disdain.
“Well, I was listening to the radio and Dylan’s new single or album, whatever the hell it is, came on…about everybody’s got to get served?” Lennon began. He continued his blunt assessment: “I mean, what was it? Every…’You’ve Got to Serve Someone’…’You’ve Got to Serve Somebody.’ So, he wants to be a waiter now. He wants to be a waiter for Christ. The backing was mediocre by Jerry Wexler and the singing was really pathetic and the words were just embarrassing.”
Lennon’s critique wasn’t limited to Dylan alone. In a broader reflection on the state of rock music, he lamented, “So, here we sit, watching the mighty Dylan and the mighty McCartney and the mighty Jagger slide down the mountain, blood and mud in their nails.” He added that he no longer felt the “sense of panic and competition” he once did when these artists released new material, indicating a profound shift in his perception of his peers.
The Rebuttal: ‘Serve Yourself’
Lennon’s disapproval was so strong that it spurred him to action. As a direct response to “Gotta Serve Somebody,” he penned his own satirical song, “Serve Yourself.” This track, featuring lyrics that directly challenged Dylan’s newfound religious fervor, was recorded as a demo and later released posthumously in 1998 on the John Lennon Anthology.
The lyrics of “Serve Yourself” were a stark counterpoint to Dylan’s message:
- “You say you found Jesus Christ / He’s the only one”
- “You say you found Buddha / Sittin’ in the sun”
- “Well there’s somethin’ missing in this God Almighty stew / And it’s your mother (your mother / Don’t forget your mother, lad)”
- “You got to serve yourself / Ain’t nobody gonna do it for you / You got to serve yourself”
A Softer Stance, Later On
Despite his initial harshness, Lennon’s perspective on Dylan’s spiritual journey seemed to mellow slightly in the months before his death. In one of his final interviews with David Sheff in 1980, Lennon offered a more conciliatory view.
“I don’t like to comment on it,” Lennon said. “For whatever reason, he’s doing it. It’s personal for him, and he needs to do it. I’m not distressed by the fact that Dylan is doing what Dylan wants or needs to do… If he needs it, let him do it. People who don’t want to hear it will just leave the theater.” This statement reflects a mature understanding of artistic freedom, even if the music itself wasn’t to his personal taste.
“Gotta Serve Somebody”‘s Enduring Legacy
Despite John Lennon’s biting criticism, “Gotta Serve Somebody” has cemented its place in Bob Dylan’s extensive catalog. Beyond its Grammy win and chart performance, the song has been celebrated by critics, appearing at No. 43 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 greatest Bob Dylan songs” list in 2016. Its cultural footprint extends into film and television, featuring prominently in The Sopranos episode “House Arrest” and Mountain’s version used for The Many Saints of Newark prequel movie.
The song has also inspired over 50 cover versions by a diverse array of artists, including Shirley Caesar, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Pops Staples, Etta James, Aaron Neville, and Mavis Staples, showcasing its lasting appeal and adaptability across genres.
Impact and Legacy
The fascinating interplay between John Lennon and Bob Dylan, from early mutual admiration to Lennon’s later, pointed disapproval, highlights the ever-evolving nature of artistic relationships. While Lennon’s sharp wit offered a memorable, if controversial, commentary on Dylan’s “gospel period,” it ultimately couldn’t diminish the impact of “Gotta Serve Somebody” on music history. Both songs, in their own way, remain powerful testaments to the uncompromising artistic spirit of their creators, inviting listeners to engage with profound questions of service, self, and faith.
