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1974 is an important year in the life of Bob Dylan.

I’ve put together a list of the ten best songs recorded (studio or live) this year. One rule applies: it has to be officially released in some form. I’ve nominated 25 songs & I challenge everyone reading this to set up their own “Bob Dylan – Top 10 songs recorded in 1974”. Feel free to ignore my nominated songs list and please use the comments section to share lists & thoughts.

…and by the way lists are fun.

Relevant albums

Before The Flood Released June 20, 1974 Recorded February 13–14, 1974, in Los Angeles, except track 4: January 30, 1974, in New York
Blood On The TracksReleased January 20, 1975 Recorded September 16–19, 1974, at A&R Recording in New York, New York and December 27–30, 1974, at Sound 80 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
BiographReleased November 7, 1985 Recorded November 1961-August 1981
The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991Released March 26, 1991 Recorded November 1961 – March 1989
Blood on the Tracks – New York Sessions source: Original test pressingRecorded 16 September – 8 October, 1974 Bootleg

25 nominated songs

Blood On The Tracks recording sessions

• Tangled Up In Blue
• Simple Twist of Fate
• You’re a Big Girl Now
• Idiot Wind
• You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
• Meet Me in the Morning
• Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts
• If You See Her, Say Hello
• Shelter from the Storm
• Buckets of Rain
• Up To Me
• Call Letter Blues

Before The Flood (live album)

• Lay Lady Lay – 13.02.1974
• All Along The Watchtower – 14.02.1974
• Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) – 14.02.1974
• Knocking On Heavens Door – 30.01.1974
• It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – 14.02.1974
• Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right – 14.02.1974
• Highway 61 Revisited – 14.02.1974
• Like A Rolling Stone – 13.02.1974
• Ballad Of A Thin Man – 14.02.1974
• Blowin’ In The Wind – 14.02.1974
• I Shall Be Released – 14.02.1974
• Just Like A Woman – 14.02.1974
• It Ain’t Me Babe – 14.02.1974

My List

All embedded audio from grooveshark.com

#	Song	Date recorded	Version
1	Tangled Up In Blue	30.12.1974	“Blood On The Tracks” version
2	Idiot Wind	16.09.1974*	“Test Pressing” version This version is still not officially  released, but if some of the rumours about the next Bootleg Series release are true.. it soon will be.
3	Up To Me	19.09.1974	“Biograph” version
4	Shelter from the Storm	17.09.1974	“Blood On The Tracks” version
5	Simple Twist Of Fate	19.09.1974	“Blood On The Tracks” version
6	You’re A Big Girl Now	17.09.1974	“Biograph” version
7	If You See Her, Say Hello	16.09.1974	“The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3” version
8	Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts	30.12.1974	“Blood On The Tracks” version
9	Call Letter Blues	16.09.1974	“The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3” version
10	Meet Me In The Morning	16.09.1974**	“Blood On The Tracks” version

* Overdubbed 8.10.1974 (organ)
** Overdubbed 18.09.1974 (steel guitar)

3 best songs from “Before The Flood”:

1. Lay Lady Lay – 13.02.1974
2. All Along The Watchtower – 14.02.1974
3. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) – 14.02.1974

 

-Egil