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Planet Waves

by Bob Dylan

Released: January 17, 1974

Roots rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Genre Shift.

The Album

The collaboration brings a rich, full sound, a departure from the sparse style Dylan employed on his previous album, creating a mixture of folk, rock, and country blues. The rawness of Dylan's vocals paired with personal and intense lyricism provides an intimate listening experience. "Planet Waves" is the fourteenth studio album by American musician Bob Dylan, released on January 17, 1974.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

However, it remains an important work that showcases…

However, it remains an important work that showcases his versatile and profound songwriting abilities and marks a memorable reunion with The Band.

The songs "On a Night Like This" and…

The songs "On a Night Like This" and "Something There is About You" became standout tracks and fan favorites.

This album is unique as it is Dylan's…

This album is unique as it is Dylan's first project with his former backup band, "The Band", since their last collaborative work in the late 1960s.

The album was originally set to be titled…

The album was originally set to be titled "Ceremonies of the Horsemen", a reference to the song "Love Minus Zero/No Limit", from the 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home".

"Planet Waves" consists of 11 tracks, including two…

"Planet Waves" consists of 11 tracks, including two versions of the acclaimed song "Forever Young." The tracks primarily center around nuanced themes of love and life struggles.

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Essential Tracks

On a Night Like This

The songs "On a Night Like This" and "Something There is About You" became standout tracks and fan favorites.

Something There Is About You

The songs "On a Night Like This" and "Something There is About You" became standout tracks and fan favorites.

Forever Young

"Planet Waves" consists of 11 tracks, including two versions of the acclaimed song "Forever Young." The tracks primarily center around nuanced themes of love and life struggles.

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Bob Dylan - Planet Waves

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Reception

Despite mixed critical reception, "Planet Waves" performed well commercially, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, making it Dylan's first album to reach that position, and number seven in the UK. Despite the commercial success, over time, the album has often been overlooked within Dylan's vast discography.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Planet Waves" is the fourteenth studio album by American musician Bob Dylan, released on January 17, 1974. This album is unique as it is Dylan's first project with his former backup band, "The Band", since their last collaborative work in the late 1960s. The collaboration brings a rich, full sound, a departure from the sparse style Dylan employed on his previous album, creating a mixture of folk, rock, and country blues.

Despite mixed critical reception, "Planet Waves" performed well commercially, peaking at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, making it Dylan's first album to reach that position, and number seven in the UK. The album was originally set to be titled "Ceremonies of the Horsemen", a reference to the song "Love Minus Zero/No Limit", from the 1965 album "Bringing It All Back Home".

"Planet Waves" consists of 11 tracks, including two versions of the acclaimed song "Forever Young." The tracks primarily center around nuanced themes of love and life struggles. The rawness of Dylan's vocals paired with personal and intense lyricism provides an intimate listening experience. The songs "On a Night Like This" and "Something There is About You" became standout tracks and fan favorites.

Despite the commercial success, over time, the album has often been overlooked within Dylan's vast discography. However, it remains an important work that showcases his versatile and profound songwriting abilities and marks a memorable reunion with The Band.