Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
He Was A Friend of Mine..
MaineWriter:
I posted the history on this song a gazillion years ago on the IMDb thread, but of course, that has long since vanished.
Back in 1960/1961, Bob Dylan showed up on the Guthrie family doorstep in NY, looking to meet Woody. Arlo (who was 13 at the time) answered the door and explained that his father was in the hospital. Woody Guthrie, at that time, was in suffering from Huntington's Chorea and spent the last decade of his life in a psychiatric hospital.
Dylan visited Woody in the hospital and began writing songs shortly after that. On November 20 and 22, 1961, Dylan recorded a number of songs, many of which became his debut, eponymous album, "Bob Dylan." "He Was A Friend Of Mine" was actually recorded at that time but not included on the LP. It was not released until 1991, on "The Bootleg Series, Vol 1-3."
Dylan did sing the song in concert and people were familiar with it. There are a number of other cover versions (including Willie Nelson's which is the most recent) that have been released over the years. including The Grateful Dead, Jerry Jeff Walker, and The Byrds, who turned it into a tribute to President Kennedy after his assassination.
Leslie
Kajunite:
Thanks. I knew Willie did not write it. Now I know the whole score on the issue. I am glad to know the full story. It is a good song.
MaineWriter:
--- Quote from: Kajunite on July 16, 2006, 11:42:32 am ---Thanks. I knew Willie did not write it. Now I know the whole score on the issue. I am glad to know the full story. It is a good song.
--- End quote ---
The Bob Dylan version is actually very good...in early, reedy Bob Dylan voice, of course. Maybe he's an acquired taste, but I like most of his old stuff.
Leslie
Jeff Wrangler:
Tell you what, I'm notorious for mishearing lyrics.
I thought, "He died all alone," was, "He died on the road," which just made things worse because it made me think of Ennis thinking of Jack's death, so that I could hardly stand to listen to it.
By the end of the theatrical run, I was rushing out of the theater as soon as the final shot faded so I wouldn't have to listen to it.
:'(
Front-Ranger:
Thanks, Scott, for remembering and reiterating what I said. Bob Dylan wrote down quite a few old folk songs and recorded them. He is truly amazing. Has anybody listened to his new radio show?
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