Bob Dylan doesn’t often sit down for interviews, but when he does, he tends to leave behind a few gems worth remembering. His words, sometimes cryptic, sometimes surprisingly direct, always make for an interesting read. Recently, in a rare conversation, he casually let slip one of his favorite songs by the Eagles.
Dylan has never been one to shower fellow artists with public praise, making any endorsement from him all the more intriguing. Over the years, he’s spoken about music with a mix of reverence and unpredictability, showing appreciation for artists both expected and surprising. His latest mention of the Eagles adds another layer to his complex taste.
While Dylan’s own catalog shaped generations of musicians, he’s always remained a keen listener himself. His appreciation for certain songs often reflects more than just a passing admiration—they hint at the kind of songwriting and craftsmanship that resonate with him. So, which Eagles song made the cut?
A Rare Conversation with Dylan
Journalist Douglas Brinkley had the rare opportunity to sit down with Bob Dylan, and their conversation made its way into The New York Times. Given Dylan’s reluctance to engage with the press, any interview with him feels like an event in itself.
Their discussion unfolded in two separate sessions—one in April 2020 and the other in June of the same year. Across both meetings, Dylan offered glimpses into his thoughts, his music, and, as always, a few unexpected revelations.
Naturally, the conversation touched on his latest work at the time. The two songs already out in the world, “Murder Most Foul” and “I Contain Multitudes”, became focal points, giving Dylan a chance to shed light on the stories behind them.
Dylan’s Unexpected Eagles Pick
During their conversation, Dylan’s lyrics naturally led to a question—what were his favorite songs by the Eagles and The Rolling Stones? It wasn’t a topic he often explored, and given his usual reluctance to share personal preferences, any answer felt like a rare insight. Yet, this time, he didn’t hold back.
He first mentioned “New Kid in Town” and “Life in the Fast Lane”, two of the Eagles’ biggest hits. But then, he went further. Instead of keeping things vague, he singled out “Pretty Maids All in a Row” from Hotel California. Unlike his usual reserved comments about other artists, Dylan spoke about the song with an unusual level of admiration.
He didn’t just say he liked it—he called it “one of the best songs ever.” Coming from a songwriter of his caliber, that kind of praise carries serious weight. For the Eagles, whose catalog is already filled with classics, Dylan’s endorsement adds another layer to the song’s legacy, solidifying it as one of their most remarkable works.