Legendary songwriter Bob Dylan has been prolific in the studio and on stage, but he reportedly wanted to turn one song into a music video.
Dylan’s appearances in music videos can be legendary, and while many may revel in seeing a stony-faced Dylan in the video for charity single We Are the World, a song Dylan called a “worthwhile idea,” he did have one track he wanted to develop further. He has since gone on record to say he felt fine about We Are the World but was uncomfortable with the message it presented. A post to the Bob Dylan subreddit saw fans speak on the awkward appearance from the songwriter, who later suggested an Empire Burlesque track was his worst experience on set, but also the song he wanted to take further.
One fan asked: “Anyone recall Bob’s thoughts on the ‘We are the World‘ sessions? I seem to remember he was ok with it all but said he didn’t agree with the words about saving our own lives.” Dylan spoke of the song in interviews following its release.
He told 20/20: “People buying a song and the money going to starving people in Africa is a worthwhile idea, but I wasn’t so convinced about the message of the song. To tell you the truth, I don’t think people can save themselves. I just don’t — I don’t agree with that type of thing.”
One fan wrote up their theory on the We Are the World song and Dylan’s involvement, with the Lay Lady Lay writer sharing further thoughts on the track in an interview following the 20/20 talk. But it was Tight Connection to My Heart from Empire Burlesque that Dylan wanted to turn into a song.
Anyone recall Bob’s thoughts on the “We are the World” sessions? I seem to remember he was ok with it all but said he didn’t agree with the words about saving our own lives.
by inbobdylan
But, according to one fan, he hated making the music video, directed by Paul Schrader. A fan wrote: “In 1986, Dylan did a press conference in Australia to promote his True Confessions tour with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
“A reporter brought up the music video for ‘Tight Connection to My Heart‘ and remarked that Dylan looked uncomfortable in it, and Dylan confirmed that he hated every minute of making it. Another reporter jumped in to say that Dylan also looked “less than comfortable” in the video for ‘We Are the World,’ to which Dylan replied, ‘To tell you the truth, I don’t remember that. I did the best I could, you know, that’s all’.”
Speaking to Spin in 1985, Dylan said: “‘Tight Connection to My Heart‘ is a very visual song. I want to make a movie out of it… I think it’s going to go past on the way, but of all the songs I’ve ever written, that might be one of the most visual.”
Though Dylan was keen to turn the song into a feature film, Schrader felt quite different. He said in 2018: “Boy, was that a mistake. I said to Bob while we were doing it, ‘Bob, if you ever hear I’m doing another music video, take me out in the backyard and hose me down.’ I didn’t understand music videos; I’m much too linear. I just didn’t understand the free randomness of the imagery, particularly with Dylan, who’s very random in his imagery as well.”
