Ok, so what music is actually used in the movie “I’m Not There,” right?
Well, as we mentioned in our first preview, despite all the noise about the much-talked about covers, the movie leans much more heavily on original Bob Dylan tunes rather than interpolations.
Dylan renditions are generally used for the actors to lipsynch along with for their performance scenes (those examples are in the above link), though you do hear traces of instrumental parts that are clearly covers throughout the film (Yo La Tengo in particular).
We’re wary of spoilers, we hate having films spoiled for us and we loathe the idea of spoiling films for others. With that said, we don’t think knowing what songs are actually in the film spoils it whatsoever. First and formost this is a cinematic experience and while the music is integral, it’s seeing and experiencing the film that can’t really be spoiled or denied. After all, you basically know the story, but feel free to turn away if you like.
Aside from a lot more Dylan originals than anyone anticipated, Calexico do a few unexpected instrumental covers from Zimmy’s Pat Garett & Billy The Kid Soundtrack (one of which is done by Los Lobos on the soundtrack disc). Tom Verlaine & the Million Dollar Bashers’ version of 1997’s Time Out of Mind Cold Irons Bounds is basically the thematic throughline throughout the film. A quick moment of Iggy Pop & The Stooges’ cover of the “Ballad of Hollis Brown” is also briefly heard in the film.
YouTube clips of the original below where applicable.
Bob Dylan – Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues
Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline Rag
Bob Dylan – Moonshiner
Richie Havens – “Tombstone Blues” (sung along with Marcus Carl Franklin)
Mason Jennings – Timess Are A Changin‘
Pete Seger – If I Had A Hammer (The Hammer Song)
Mason Jennings – The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
Bob Dylan – I’ll Keep It With Mine
Tom Verlaine & the Million Dollar Bashers- Cold Iron Bounds
Bob Dylan – Visions Of Johanna
Yo La Tengo – 4th Time Around
Bob Dylan – I Want You
Bob Dylan – Corrina Corrina
Marcus Carl Franklin – When The Ship Comes In
Bob Dylan – Blind Willie McTell
Stephen Malkmus & the Million Dollar Bashers –Maggie’s Farm
Bob Dylan – Positively 4th Street
Bob Dylan – Temporary Like Achilles
Yo La Tengo – I Wanna Be Your Lover
Bob Dylan – Simple Twist of Fate
Calexico – Jude’s Waltz
Nino Rota – Il Casanova Del Frederico Fellini
Stephen Malkmus & the Million Dollar Bashers – Ballad Of A Thin Man
Calexico – Billy 1
Eddie Vedder & the Million Dollar Bashers – All Along The Watchtower
Bob Dylan – Man In the Black Coat
Bob Dylan & Emmy Lou Harris – One More Cup Of Coffee
Bob Dylan – High Water (For Charley Patton)
Iggy Pop & The Stooges – Ballad of Hollis Brown
Calexico – Bunkhouse Theme
Jim James and Calexico – Goin’ To Alcapulco
The Monkees – (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
Bob Dylan – Cold Iron Bound
Bob Dylan – Trouble In Mind
John Doe – Pressin’ On
Bob Dylan – Idiot Wind
Bob Dylan – Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Bob Dylan – I’m Not There
Bob Dylan – Mr. Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
Sonic Youth – I’m Not There
Antony & The Johnstons – Knockin’ On Heavens Door
Watch “Mr. Tambourine Man” from the end of “I’m Not There”/”Eat The Document”