If Not for You

The story behind If Not for You is a fascinating tapestry of collaborations and key moments in the careers of Bob Dylan and George Harrison. Originally conceived as a declaration of love from Dylan to his wife Sara, the song was recorded on several occasions during 1970. One of those sessions, the one that would ultimately shape the version we hear on the album New Morning, took place in New York in August of that year. What's interesting is that Dylan also recorded it with George Harrison on May 1st, shortly after the dissolution of The Beatles. This particular recording, which generated much anticipation in the music press, did not see the light of day until 1991, when it was included in The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased).

The impact of If Not for You transcended Dylan's work. In November 1970, George Harrison included it on his monumental triple album All Things Must Pass. Harrison's version, with its distinctive arrangement, served as the basis for a later hit by Olivia Newton-John in 1971, which became her first standout single and gave its title to her debut album. There was even a moment when Harrison and Dylan rehearsed the song together, thinking of including it in the concerts of the Concert for Bangladesh in New York. Although it was not part of the final repertoire of those shows, fragments of this rehearsal appeared in the 1972 documentary and the complete performance was released on DVD in 2005. Dylan himself described the song as "simple, with a Tex-Mex feel," and noted that, in his view, it did not explore all the instrumental possibilities of the studio, which gave it a more folk-like air.