'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Timothée Chalamet starrer A Complete Unknown released last year and continues to remain the talk of the town for its compelling performances and mesmerizing soundtrack. Based on Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald, A Complete Unknown chronicles the early years of Bob Dylan's music career who has come to be known as one of the best singer-songwriters in the world.
The critically acclaimed biopic by James Mangold starring Chalamet in the lead features a total of 26 Bob Dylan songs. Music lovers will be interested to know that the team had initially decided to pre-record the songs but in the end, the cast decided to record them live during the filming. By doing that, A Complete Unknown certainly raised the bar for future music biopics.
While the talented cast does justice to every song in A Complete Unknown, some songs, mentioned on this list, stand out thanks to the impactful visuals attached to them.
Trending
Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Blowin’ in the Wind and four other songs from A Complete Unknown that will stay with the viewer
1) A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall was written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and was released as part of his second studio album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963). The structure is inspired by Francis Child's traditional British ballad, Lord Randall. The riveting song puts forth strong imagery of pollution, war and suffering.
It is only natural for this Bob Dylan song to be part of A Complete Unknown soundtrack because it gives an insight into the musician's ideologies and beliefs. After all, his music is an extension of how he views the world and everyone in it.
In A Complete Unknown, this song plays over a montage of Bob Dylan's onstage performances, fans lining up to see him in person, his rendition at the Civil Rights March and his communication with Johnny Cash over a series of letters. This montage helps cement Dylan's popularity and influence over people from all walks of life.
2) Blowin’ in the Wind
Written by Bob Dylan in 1962, this song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994. Thanks to its meaningful lyrics that raises questions about freedom, peace and war, it is often described as a "protest song". The ambiguity of the line "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" also allows listeners to come to their own conclusions without having the musician say it out loud.
In A Complete Unknown, Joan Baez, portrayed by Monica Barbaro, and Dylan (Chalamet) have a conversation about learning chords and the art of writing music. She then hands him a music sheet and asks him to play the song on it. Baez returns to doing chores but when Dylan starts singing. His rendition is so powerful that she is drawn to his side and eventually starts singing with him.
This A Complete Unknown scene not only showcased Chalamet's impressive singing abilities but also the way he could capture Dylan's quintessential charisma that drew people to him.
3) It Ain’t Me Babe
Released in 1964, this song by Bob Dylan appeared on his fourth album Another Side of Bob Dylan. Many biographers are of the opinion that the song was inspired by his former girlfriend Suze Rotolo.
What's interesting is that It Ain’t Me Babe wasn't originally a duet. This version of the song was made popular by legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash who sang it as a duet with his wife, June Carter.
The duet version is the one that viewers get to see and hear in A Complete Unknown. In the scene, Joan invites Dylan on stage to sing "something appropriate" which earns a smirk from the talented musician. The way Barbaro's melodious voice is complemented by Chalamet's rich vocals makes this duet a memorable one.
4) Masters of War
A Complete Unknown aims to enlighten music lovers about the artist behind the music and so it is not surprising that it highlighted Bob Dylan songs that showcase his will to share impactful messages. Masters of War is one such example.
Written during 1962–63, this Bob Dylan song was released on the album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. The powerful lyrics explore the implications of Cold War nuclear arms build-up which was witnessed in the early 1960s.
In the A Complete Unknown scene, Joan Baez is seen rushing down the street. However, she comes to a stop when he hears this song. She eventually walks into the dive bar where Dylan is performing and becomes transfixed with his performance. The scene showcased the power his lyrics have, enough to make people stop and listen.
5) The Times They Are A-Changin'
Influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads, The Times They Are A-Changin' was released in 1964 as the title track of the album of the same name. Many of Dylan's songs have powerful messages that remain relevant years after their initial release and this song certainly fits that bill.
The idea behind The Times They Are A-Changin' was to give people an anthem of change and the song is still held in high regard by music lovers around the world.
The song is sung by Dylan in A Complete Unknown in front of a big crowd. He announces that it is new and the crowd turns ecstatic. The mood of the crowd makes it clear how Dylan's music isn't just pleasant to hear but has the ability to encourage people to do and be better.
These memorable songs from A Complete Unknown will not only appeal to Bob Dylan's ardent fans but will also urge them to recognize his effort to use music as a tool to bring in change.
