Bob Dylan converts his classic hit song into a gay anthem for same-sex wedding compilation
Bob Dylan has reportedly recorded a song for a compilation list of same-sex wedding anthems. The music icon even converted one of his older tracks to fit into his new theme. The song 'She’s Funny That Way' was originally for Gene Austin in the year 1929 and was also later sung by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
As part of a new album EP which is titled Universal Love, Dylan altered the lyrics to the song and made it, 'He’s Funny That Way' instead. The six-track set will be released on April 6 and also features other artists like Kesha and St. Vincent and other artists who are rerecording well-known hits with the same-sex twist.
As reported by the New York Times, a co-producer for the album, Tom Murphy said, "If you look at the history of pop music, love songs have predominantly come from one heterosexual perspective. If we view music as something that brings people together, shouldn’t these popular songs be open to everyone?"
The album was funded by MGM Resorts International and the songs have been made as wedding anthems for same-sex couples. In order to secure the right to perform the songs with changed lyrics, permission from the song's publishers permission was needed. The projects executive producer, Rob Kaplan said,"The response was completely positive".
Bob Dylan does not appear to have spoken out about gay rights in the past but his choice to change his iconic song, 'She's Funny That Way' to 'He's Funny That Way' only shows his attitude towards the LGBT community. When Kaplan contacted Dylan about the project Kaplan shared, "And it wasn’t just yes, I’ll do this. It was hey, I have an idea for a song."
Pop-singer Kesha chose to re-work Janis Joplin's 'I need a Man to love' which changed to 'I Need a Woman to Love'. "For years I said that I’m not getting married until any two people can legally marry in this country," and has since performed at two gay weddings already.
Frontman for the band Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Gibbard chose to spin the Beatles classic 'And I Love Her' to 'And I Love Him'. "It’s a song my dad often played to my mom after dinner. Also, it’s a song everyone knows."