Music Icon, 83, Once Rejected Bob Dylan’s Cover — ‘I Didn’t Like His Version’ originally appeared on Parade.
In the early ‘60s, Simon & Garfunkel became one of the biggest duos in music, dominating the charts with hits like “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson”
At the height of their fame, numerous musicians attempted to cover their work, yet one particular rendition left Paul Simon with mixed feelings.
The artist in question was none other than Bob Dylan, whose interpretation of “The Boxer” caught Simon’s attention for reasons that weren’t entirely positive.
Dylan’s admiration for “The Boxer” led him to create his own version, a gesture that simultaneously flattered and disappointed Simon.
“I certainly didn’t like his version of ‘The Boxer’ nearly as much as I like the Simon and Garfunkel version,” Simon, now 83, revealed to Rolling Stone in 1972. “I think that’s one of the best things that we ever did, although I thought the fade-out ending was too long. Aside from that, I like the song a lot, and I like our record of it. Aside from the fact, I was flattered to have Bob Dylan sing one of my songs.”
The relationship between Simon and Dylan became increasingly complex as both artists evolved throughout the 1960s. Fans began speculating about a potential rivalry, with Simon’s candid comments seemingly confirming their suspicions.
“I usually come in second (to Dylan), and I don’t like coming in second,” Simon reflected in a Rolling Stone interview. “In the beginning, when we were first signed to Columbia, I really admired Dylan’s work. ‘The Sound of Silence’ wouldn’t have been written if it weren’t for Dylan. But I left that feeling around The Graduate and ‘Mrs Robinson’. They weren’t folky any more.”
The tension reached a peak in 1966 during the creation of Simon & Garfunkel’s third album. This period coincided with Dylan’s controversial shift from traditional folk music to electric rock.
Dylan’s musical evolution provided Simon with the opportunity to channel his frustrations into music. The result was “A Simple Desultory Philippic,” a parody that seemingly addressed his complicated feelings about Dylan’s artistic choices.
Simon incorporated deliberate musical elements that mimicked Dylan’s new electric sound, including caricatured organ arrangements and psychedelic guitar work.
The song’s lyrics represented Simon’s most direct critique of Dylan’s approach, particularly his tendency toward obscure references. Simon adopted Dylan’s characteristic vocal style to deliver his commentary.
In a Dylan-esque voice, he sings: “Not the same as you and me, he doesn’t dig poetry / He’s so unhip, when you say Dylan / He thinks you’re talking about Dylan Thomas, whoever he was.”
Despite these creative tensions, Simon maintained respect for Dylan’s contributions to the music scene. When Mojo magazine posed the question about Simon’s place among popular songwriters, his response showed his recognition of the folk singer’s superiority.
Simon’s list included legendary figures from Hank Williams to Bob Marley, with his own name appearing toward the end. Notably, Dylan’s position preceded Simon’s, indicating his acceptance of the established hierarchy that had long frustrated him.
Simon’s explanation for ranking Dylan above himself revealed a self-awareness of his own artistic limitations and Dylan’s unique strengths. “One of my deficiencies is my voice sounds sincere,” he once explained to Rolling Stones.
“I’ve tried to sound ironic. I don’t. I can’t. Dylan, everything he sings has two meanings. He’s telling you the truth and making fun of you at the same time. I sound sincere every time.”
Music Icon, 83, Once Rejected Bob Dylan’s Cover — ‘I Didn’t Like His Version’ first appeared on Parade on Aug 16, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
