Ariel King August 30th, 2020 - 3:20 PM
Neil Young has released a cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changing” via his Neil Young Archives website. The cover will appear on Young’s upcoming EP, The Times, which will include politically charged songs “Ohio,” “Southern Man,” “Campaigner” and more. The EP is planned for release on September 18 via Amazon Music, with physical copies available on Young’s website. The cover’s release was announced via the Neil Young Archives Instagram account.
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Young’s cover reflects much of the Dylan’s original, the track’s meaning staying the same despite the many years which have happened since its first release. Young’s voice flows over each of the words as he urges senators and congressmen to “heed the call,” asking for change. Young gives the song a slightly slower sound, the track taking on a slightly more eerie meaning in the light of the current circumstances of the world. Young keeps Dylan’s hope that the world will change for the better, with both of the tracks being performed during times of upheaval and protest.
In addition to releasing a politically-charged EP, Young has been vocal against the current presidency and the Trump administration as his other recent song, “Looking For A Leader,” with lyrics critiquing Trump for “hiding in his bunker.” Young also sued Donald Trump earlier this month for the unauthorized use of his song, “Rockin’ In The Free World” at a campaign event at Mt. Rushmore on July 4 weekend.
Young is only one of many artists who have criticized and sent cease-and-desists to Trump for his use of their songs at campaign rallies. Tom Petty, Prince and Chester Bennington‘s estates have each requested that Trump not use their songs during his reelection campaign. Musicians have also created a letter of support to try and create a requirement that politicians would need to seek an artist’s consent before using their songs for campaign events.
Both Young and Dylan have both released new albums this summer, with Young releasing Homegrown, an album he had written in the 1970s, and Dylan releasing Rough and Rowdy Ways. Dylan finally had his first number one on a Billboard Chart with his song “Murder Most Foul,” where the artist discussed the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
