This Wheel's on Fire
| "This Wheel's on Fire" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"This Wheel's on Fire" is a song written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko.[1] It was originally recorded by Dylan and The Band during their 1967 sessions, portions of which (including this song) comprised the 1975 album, The Basement Tapes.[2] The Band's own version appeared on their 1968 album, Music from Big Pink.[3]
Covers
| "This Wheel's on Fire" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Shooting Sun", "Sleepwalking (On the High Wire)", "She Cracked" |
In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and The Trinity became a hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #5 on the UK Singles Chart (see 1968 in music).[4] With its use of distortion, phasing, the evocative imagery of the song's title and the group's flamboyant dress, this version is closely associated with the psychedelic era in British music. The arrangement featured prominent use of both Hammond organ and mellotron. Driscoll recorded the song again in the early 1990s with Adrian Edmondson as the theme to the BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, whose main characters are throwbacks to that era. Kylie Minogue released a cover of the track as the official theme song for 2016's Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
The Byrds released a recording of "This Wheel's on Fire" on their 1969 album, Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, and live versions of the song are also included on The Byrds' Live at the Fillmore - February 1969 album and the expanded CD reissue of their (Untitled) album.[5][6][7] In 1987, the song was covered by the British rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees for their all-covers album, Through the Looking Glass. Released as the first single from that album, Siouxsie and the Banshees' version climbed to #14 on the UK singles chart. The band did not know the song had been composed by Dylan before recording it: they covered it because they liked Driscoll's version.[8]
Other artists who have released their own versions of the song include: Kylie Minogue, Hamilton Camp, Phil Lesh, Golden Earring, Elvis Costello, The Hollies, Ian and Sylvia, Les Fradkin, Leslie West, Serena Ryder, Charlie Winston, June Tabor, Guster and Rat Scabies.[9]
Personnel on The Band version
- Rick Danko – lead vocal, bass guitar
- Levon Helm – drums, backing vocal
- Garth Hudson – Clavinet, Lowrey organ, Rocksichord through a telegraph key[10]
- Richard Manuel – acoustic piano, backing vocal
- Robbie Robertson – electric guitar
References
- ^ Williams, Paul. (1990). Bob Dylan: Performing Artist – Book One 1960 – 1973. Xanadu Publications Ltd. pp. 232–233. ISBN 1-85480-044-2.
- ^ "The Basement Tapes review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ "Music From Big Pink review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ Brown, Tony. (2000). The Complete Book of the British Charts. Omnibus Press. p. 261. ISBN 0-7119-7670-8.
- ^ Rogan, Johnny. (1998). The Byrds: Timeless Flight Revisited (2nd ed.). Rogan House. pp. 546–547. ISBN 0-9529540-1-X.
- ^ "Live At The Fillmore – February 1969 review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ "Untitled/Unissued review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ Brown, Tony. (2000). The Complete Book of the British Charts. Omnibus Press. p. 809. ISBN 0-7119-7670-8.
- ^ "This Wheel's on Fire – Cover versions". Allmusic. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Garth Hudson's Diamond Jubilation
Further reading
- Karlin, Daniel (2013). "Columbia Recording Artist Bob Dylan". The Figure of the Singer. Oxford University Press. pp. 203–4. ISBN 0191650439.
- Rogovoy, Seth (2009). "Chapter 6: Prayers". Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet. Simon & Schuster. pp. 113–16. ISBN 1416559833.
