American rapper Post Malone was not always dabbling into bass beats and bars, but he was actually into a whole different genre! In a post that was created way back in 2013, we see a much more mellow (and younger!) Post Malone, singing a Bob Dylan song.
“Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
Released in 1963, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” is a single in Dylan’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album. Historian Nat Hentoff has alluded to the song as
“a statement that maybe you can say to make yourself feel better … as if you were talking to yourself.”
And in truth, when Dylan sings the song, it is almost as if he is trying to console himself, trying to be nonchalant and, in essence, be okay with his circumstances. Only to be betrayed by the tiredness and the barest hint of anger and exasperation in his voice in some of the instances of the song.
The single has been widely re-packaged in different compilation albums. It is also covered by different prominent artists such as Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, among so many others.
One of the standout covers of this song was that of Eric Clapton who turned it into a blues rendition at the 1993 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration in Dylan’s honor.
Check out the original here!
Post Malone’s Cover
There are some similarities between Malone’s cover and Dylan’s original. The mellow, yet fast-paced guitar clearly sets the tone of the song. Yet, there is something almost softer and more vulnerable with Malone’s cover. Dylan had some cynicism bleeding out of his voice, betraying the supposed nonchalance of the song.
But with Malone, there are not-so-subtle hints of sadness and melancholy with the way he sings “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” It is almost as if he is resigned to his fate and the only way he could express himself is through song. He definitely did a good job with the cover, and his talent in music transcends genres.
Malone is both a Grammy and a Billboard Awards nominated artist. He and his music have always been described as a melting pot, diversifying his tracks with grunge, hip-hop, as well as heavy country elements. His recognition, however, is more into his rap and hip-hop heavy tracks.
Even if he’s more into the other side of the music spectrum, he’s still smashing the country genre!