Two full-length songs from the soundtrack of the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, both featuring star Timothée Chalamet singing as the folk-rock icon, have been released as advance tracks from the album.
Videos by American Songwriter
One song is a version of Dylan’s classic 1965 hit “Like Rolling Stone” that’s been featured prominently in various trailers for the movie. The track features the subtitle “Newport 65 Version,” so it appears that the rendition of the tune will be heard during the part of the film that focuses on Dylan’s historic electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
The other song is a version of Dylan’s 1963 acoustic ballad “Girl from the North Country.” The track is a duet between Chalamet as Dylan and actress Monica Barbaro, who portrays Joan Baez in the movie.
Both songs are available now as digital downloads and via streaming services. You also can check out the tracks at Searchlight Pictures’ official YouTube channel.
A new video montage featuring footage of Chalamet and Barbaro recording the songs in the studio has been posted on the Searchlight Pictures social media pages.
More About the A Complete Unknown Soundtrack
The full A Complete Unknown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) album will be released digitally on December 25, the same day the movie gets its wide premiere. The colored-vinyl version of the album is scheduled to be released on January 24, 2025. A CD version will follow in late February 2025. You can pre-order physical copies of the soundtrack album now.
In addition to Chalamet and Barbaro, the soundtrack will feature performances from the film by Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash. The LP will feature 16 tracks, while the CD will boast 23 songs.
The album’s full track list hasn’t been revealed. Other Dylan songs sung by Chalamet that have been featured in various trailers and promotional videos for the movie, though, include “It Ain’t Me Babe,” “Maggie’s Farm,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” and “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall.”
Responses to Dylan’s Recent Comment About the Film
On Wednesday, December 4, Dylan posted a message on his X page praising A Complete Unknown, Chalamet’s performance, and the book on which the film was based.
“There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!),” wrote Dylan. “Timothee Chalamet is starring in the lead role. Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me.”
He added, “The film’s taken from Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015. It’s a fantastic retelling of events from the early ’60s that led up to the fiasco at Newport. After you’ve seen the movie read the book.”
Bob’s message prompted social media responses from both Chalamet and Wald.
Timothee wrote, “Floored. I am so grateful. Thank you Bob.”
Wald, meanwhile, responded, “I’m in shock… (also just saw the movie, and liked it).”
More About A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown is scheduled to open in traditional theaters on Christmas Day, December 25. Special early screenings will be held at select IMAX theaters on December 18. The screenings will feature a pre-recorded Q&A with members of the film’s cast. Attendees also will receive a commemorative mini poster and lanyard.
As previously reported, A Complete Unknown is set in the New York City folk music scene of the early 1960s, and follows a young Dylan’s “meteoric rise” to rise. The film culminates in Dylan’s performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where he caused a stir when he performed for the first time with an electric band.
According to a recent promo video for A Complete Unknown, Chalamet performs 40 different Dylan songs in the film.
The movie was directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker James Mangold, who also co-wrote the script. Mangold’s previous credits include Girl, Interrupted, Ford v Ferrari, and the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line.
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