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Bob Dylan’s Something: A Harrison Song Enters Another Writer’s Repertoire

Dylan's official archive dates his first performance of Something to November 13, 2002, grounding a tribute associated with fan video in a documented live-song history.

By Only Advert · October 27, 2026 · 3 min read
Bob Dylan's Something: A Harrison Song Enters Another Writer's Repertoire

Bob Dylan singing “Something” brings one well-known songwriter to another’s composition. The work belongs to George Harrison’s Beatles catalog; the performance enters Dylan’s own live repertoire. Those identities remain distinct even when the song becomes a vehicle for tribute.

Dylan’s official song archive dates his first “Something” performance to November 13, 2002. The opening fan video identifies that occasion as Madison Square Garden. The primary date gives the recording a firmer context than the upload title alone, while leaving unsupported backstage stories out of the account.

Bob Dylan — Something (November 13, 2002 recording)
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A Beatles song with a Harrison writing credit

The Beatles’ official page identifies Harrison as the writer and places “Something” on the 1969 album Abbey Road. That matters because the band’s best-known writing partnership is not the credit for every song in its catalog.

A tribute through this work can acknowledge Harrison as a composer rather than only as a member of a famous group. The composition itself becomes the connection between the performer offering it and the artist being remembered.

Another writer becomes an interpreter

Dylan’s own songwriting reputation does not make this performance another Dylan composition. Here he undertakes the different task of interpreting a work whose identity is already established. A familiar melodic line gives the listener a reference while a new vocal personality changes its immediate presentation.

The interesting comparison is not whether the new singer becomes indistinguishable from Harrison. An interpretation can preserve a tune and its dramatic address without duplicating the earlier recording’s every feature. The recognizable work gives the differences something meaningful to relate to.

The archive shows a rare repertoire choice

Dylan’s official entry lists two performances of the song, with the later date in May 2009. That small documented count distinguishes the work from a selection that appeared night after night in his standard set.

It does not reveal every reason for choosing it. A live archive supplies what was performed and when; private intention needs another kind of evidence. The tribute context can be appreciated without inventing an exact spoken dedication or claiming access to the artist’s thoughts.

A second presentation of the same event

The next upload presents the 2002 “Something” footage as an upgraded version. It should not be counted as another Dylan performance simply because it has another publisher or resolution label.

Bob Dylan — Something (2002 footage, later presentation)
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This is a useful distinction between a song’s live history and its later online circulation. Several uploads may all lead back to one occasion. Keeping that source relationship clear gives the archive count its proper meaning.

Another ensemble interprets Harrison’s work

The final recording identifies Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and Joe Walsh performing “Something.” It provides another partnership around the same composition, rather than a continuation of Dylan’s concert.

Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and Joe Walsh — Something
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The three clips are rewarding when the work remains the stable reference. Dylan’s interpretation connects it with another writer’s stage, the second upload returns to that occasion, and the ensemble version gives it another performing relationship. Harrison’s authorship is the continuing thread, allowing tribute to happen through a song that remains clearly his.

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