The 50th Anniversary Collection cover

The 50th Anniversary Collection

Bob Dylan · 2012

273 min · 86 tracks · blues

A sprawling collection of early American folk and blues, merging raw storytelling with haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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    Going Down to New Orleans Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Blowin' in the Wind — This track is emblematic of Dylan's ability to weave complex social commentary into simple yet profound lyrics, becoming an anthem for civil rights movements.
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    The Death of Emmett Till — A powerful narrative song addressing racial violence, it showcases Dylan's early engagement with social issues, foreshadowing his later political activism.
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    Rambling Gambling Willie — This track reflects the traditional folk storytelling style that Dylan mastered, capturing the essence of a wandering character intertwined with American folklore.
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    Sally Gal — The multiple versions included highlight Dylan's evolving interpretation of traditional songs, showcasing his unique vocal delivery and approach to folk music.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • raw storytelling with emotional depth
  • for reflective afternoons
  • savoring classic acoustic moments
  • exploration of traditions
  • short tracks for casual listening

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer polished, modern production
  • seek high-energy dance tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Celebrates Dylan's influential career with deep cuts and unreleased tracks for dedicated fans.
Themes
civil rights anthems· racial injustice· 1960s folk revival
Career context
Released in 2012, 'The 50th Anniversary Collection' commemorates Bob Dylan's extensive and influential career, celebrating his impact on music over five decades. By this time, Dylan was an established cultural icon, recognized for both his songwriting prowess and his role in shaping the folk-rock movement since the 1960s.
Stylistic neighbors
Leonard Cohen· Neil Young· Johnny Cash
New to Bob Dylan? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Going Down to New Orleans Start here 3:24
  • 2 Going Down to New Orleans Start here 3:11
  • 3 Sally Gal 2:45
  • 4 Sally Gal 2:32
  • 5 Rambling Gambling Willie 4:32
  • 6 Rambling Gambling Willie 4:37
  • 7 Corrina, Corrina 3:21
  • 8 Corrina, Corrina 3:14
  • 9 The Death of Emmett Till 4:25
  • 10 (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle 2:07
  • 11 Rocks and Gravel (Solid Road) 2:58
  • 12 Sally Gal 3:12
  • 13 Sally Gal 1:56
  • 14 Baby, Please Don't Go 2:08
  • 15 Baby, Please Don't Go 1:58
  • 16 Milk Cow (Calf's) Blues 2:03
  • 17 Milk Cow (Calf's) Blues 2:33
  • 18 Wichita Blues 3:06
  • 19 Wichita Blues 2:59
  • 20 Milk Cow (Calf's) Blues 2:48
  • 21 Wichita Blues 2:59
  • 22 Baby, I'm in the Mood for You 2:58
  • 23 Blowin' in the Wind 2:37
  • 24 Blowin' in the Wind 2:48
  • 25 Worried Blues 2:38
  • 26 Baby, I'm in the Mood for You 2:50

Disc 2

  • 1 Bob Dylan's Blues 3:28
  • 2 Bob Dylan's Blues 2:21
  • 3 Corrina, Corrina 2:19
  • 4 Corrina, Corrina 2:48
  • 5 That's All Right, Mama 3:26
  • 6 That's All Right, Mama 2:56
  • 7 That's All Right, Mama 2:56
  • 8 Mixed Up Confusion 2:38
  • 9 Mixed Up Confusion 2:43
  • 10 Mixed Up Confusion 2:36
  • 11 Mixed Up Confusion 2:32
  • 12 Mixed Up Confusion 2:24
  • 13 Mixed Up Confusion 2:17
  • 14 Mixed Up Confusion 2:19
  • 15 That's All Right, Mama 2:56
  • 16 Rocks and Gravel 2:31
  • 17 Ballad of Hollis Brown 5:19
  • 18 Kingsport Town 1:44
  • 19 When Death Comes Creepin' (Whatcha Gonna Do?) 3:08
  • 20 Hero Blues 2:55
  • 21 When Death Comes Creepin' (Whatcha Gonna Do?) 2:03
  • 22 I Shall Be Free 2:46
  • 23 I Shall Be Free 4:31
  • 24 Hero Blues 3:04
  • 25 Hero Blues 2:43

Disc 3

  • 1 Hard Times in New York Town 1:58
  • 2 The Death of Emmett Till 4:41
  • 3 I Rode Out One Morning 2:53
  • 4 House of the Rising Sun 3:18
  • 5 See That My Grave Is Kept Clean 0:57
  • 6 Ballad of Donald White 4:38
  • 7 Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance 2:29
  • 8 Talkin' New York 4:27
  • 9 Corrina, Corrina 3:55
  • 10 Deep Ellum Blues 3:22
  • 11 Blowin' in the Wind 4:01
  • 12 The Death of Emmett Till 4:26
  • 13 Stealin' 2:02
  • 14 Hiram Hubbard 5:14
  • 15 Blowin' in the Wind 3:08
  • 16 Rocks and Gravel 4:05
  • 17 Quit Your Low Down Ways 3:12
  • 18 He Was a Friend of Mine 4:04
  • 19 Let Me Die in My Footsteps 5:00
  • 20 Two Trains Runnin' 4:02
  • 21 Ramblin' on My Mind 2:52
  • 22 Muleskinner Blues 1:13
  • 23 Muleskinner Blues (Part 2) 1:31

Disc 4

  • 1 Sally Gal 2:59
  • 2 Highway 51 4:02
  • 3 Talking John Birch Paranoid Blues 4:05
  • 4 The Ballad of Hollis Brown 5:48
  • 5 A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall 7:08
  • 6 See That My Grave Is Kept Clean 3:27
  • 7 No More Auction Block 2:56
  • 8 A Motherless Child 3:11
  • 9 Kindhearted Woman Blues 2:31
  • 10 Black Cross 4:01
  • 11 The Ballad of Hollis Brown 5:43
  • 12 Ain't No More Cane 1:58

What to play next

Tempest
Listen next

Tempest

2012

Continues the narrative style and emotional depth found in the collection.
In Concert – Brandeis University 1963
Go back to

In Concert – Brandeis University 1963

2011
Full Bob Dylan discography Where to start with Bob Dylan Artists like Bob Dylan
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If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Dust Bowl Ballads

Dust Bowl Ballads

Woody Guthrie

Captures raw storytelling and social issues of the American experience, much like Dylan's early work.

I Ain't Marching Anymore

I Ain't Marching Anymore

Phil Ochs

Shares a similar folk-driven narrative style with poignant commentary on war and social justice.

Songs of Leonard Cohen

Songs of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

Features deep emotional resonance and poetic lyrics that reflect on love and societal themes akin to Dylan's storytelling.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata