Despite his storied career for his own music, Bob Dylan’s talents gifted artists with some of their most iconic hits. “All Along The Watchtower,” “Wagon Wheel,” “Make You Feel My Love” and countless others. However, in the 1973 Stealers Wheel song “Stuck in the Middle With You,” Dylan is paid credit where credit is not due.
The mix-up is justifiable as the lyrics and composition of the tune match Dylan’s late 60s and early 70s style. Particularly with songs like “Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues in Hand” and “If You See Her Say Hello.”
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Lyrical Connections
Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan intended the song to be a spoof of the paranoid demeanor embedded in Dylan’s songs. So, there is a direct influence between the two. That being so, Rafferty and Egan not only recycle Dylan’s neurotic attitude, but also some of his most frequently used tropes.
Rafferty and Egan’s use of figures such as “Clowns” and “Jokers” to symbolize nefarious characters in the song’s setting is a clear reflection of Dylan’s influence. This narrative technique used by Dylan, is most notably seen in “All Along The Watchtower,” where Dylan references “Jokers” and “Thieves” to the same effect.
Regarding building the setting and mimicking Dylan’s paranoia, Rafferty sets the song at a cocktail party with music executives. Thus, it’s very on par with Dylan’s style to write a heavily symbolic song about a location of distress due to excessive greed. Especially, when it concerns toying with the extravagant music industry in the 60s and 70s.
Vocals and Instrumentals
Above all, the heart of the confusion seemingly derives from the uncanny similarity between Rafferty and Dylan’s voices. They share nasally and raspy vocals, as well as a detached demeanor that amplifies the mysterious ideas at play.
Furthermore, between the creative use of percussion with cowbells and clapping as well as the seemingly country-inspired guitar riffs. The instrumentals sound like Dylan’s 1969 album Nashville Skyline, in which he uses similar techniques to form a new sound.
Needless to say, mistaking the Stealers Wheel hit with a one of Dylan’s many classics is reasonable and evident. Regardless of Dylan’s influence, this song belongs to Rafferty, Eagan, and the rest of Stealers Wheel.
Listen to the song below and see if you can spot the similarities and differences.
Photo by Alan Messer/Shutterstock
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