Bob Dylan stuns with first performance of legendary song in six years - but with a twist

Bob Dylan has stunned fans with the first performance of one of his most legendary songs for the first time in six years.

But the 83-year-old is known for changing up the style, tempo and structure of his best works on stage, and it was no exception at his final Outlaw Tour show. Members of the public shared footage of Dylan's recent performance of Desolation Row, the closing track of his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited.

The track is considered one of the greatest songs written by Dylan, and while attending fans were treated to a performance of it, the first since 2018, they were left stunned by how different it sounded.

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Dylan, who was seen performing the song at a piano and clacking the microphone with a small wrench, has left fans who did not attend the show wishing they had. Others found joy in Dylan "f**king with people" during the performance, in reference to the massive overhaul of the song's original sound and the small tool hitting the microphone.

One user wrote: "Bob heard I bailed on Buffalo so he pulled out my favourite song. Same way he covered Leonard Cohen after I bailed on Montreal. He likes to twist the knife. No big deal. He's a rascal, and I respect it. I'm dead inside anyway." Another fumed: "I'm gonna f**king cry this is amazing. Bob Dylan is such a great American."

A third added: "Imagine having so many good songs that you wrote Desolation Row and don’t play it for 6 years." Another noted the changed arrangement, adding: "A giddyup-trot arrangement of Desolation Row tonight in ole Buffalo. I was expecting Trail of the Buffalo just for grins, but nope. Bob Dylan, having fun on the Outlaw road for one last night."

Those in attendance were just as delighted to hear the classic track, with one user saying they did a "double take" when they heard the song's recognisable intro. "It was incredible," they wrote. "Dad and I literally did double takes." Another joked: "Wish I enjoyed anything as much as Bob Dylan enjoys f**king with people." Dylan is set to play Gilford, New Hampshire on September 20 before a short break ahead of his UK tour this November.