“Things Have Changed” by Bob Dylan  

“Things Have Changed” is a song that was written specifically for a certain film, 2000’s Wonder Boys starring Michael Douglas. As such, certain lyrics were directly influenced by the movie’s storyline, most notably in that regard it would seem the romantic references.

But let’s not forget that this is in fact Bob Dylan we’re talking about – an elder Bob even, as by this point he was already approaching 60 years of age. So this piece features the kinds of references Dylan fans may expect, such as the vocalist alluding to the end of the world or what have you at different junctures. 

And what is being put forth thesis-wise is indeed a mature-minded statement, that now the vocalist isn’t as concerned with the matters of the world as he was in days past.

Conclusively, despite being a bit existential in nature, this isn’t a piece that requires the type of analysis as is standard with Bob Dylan tracks, since it was in fact inspired by a movie. In other words, “Things Have Changed” is both fictional and nonfictional in nature, and due to the latter aspect, reading too deeply into it isn’t really called for. 

Takeaway

Indeed this song can be generally deemed understandable yet incohesive. But such a style is what Dylan is more or less known for. So when you mix an artist this deep with something as frivolous, if you will, as your standard Hollywood film, well that doesn’t really help matters any from an interpretative standpoint.

But this piece did prove understandable enough to earn itself an Academy Award on top of other notable accolades. And there is a permeating sentiment throughout – one of, shall we say resignation. Or viewed differently, the vocalist seems to have to come to an understanding that no matter what, in addition to the world being headed towards its end in a manner of speaking, that life is never going to be as idealized.

Release Date of “Things Have Changed”

This rock song was performed by American music legend, Bob Dylan. “Things Have Changed” officially hit the airways on May 1 of 2000.

It was released as the only single from “Wonder Boys (Music from the Motion Picture)”. This is the soundtrack album of the 2000 comedy-film of the same name.

Although this single did not feature in the Hot 100, it performed remarkably well in other parts of the world. For example, in the UK it peaked at No.58 in October 2000.

Awards and Accolades

Dylan has bagged several accolades with this single. Some of such accolades include “Best Original Song” at the Golden Globe Award and the Academy Awards in 2001.

Credits

This tune is officially credited as written and produced by Bob Dylan.

Covers

“Things Have Changed” has been recorded and performed by various recording artists. Some of the well-known versions of the track include those performed by the following artists:

• Waylon Jennings (in 2000)
• Barb Jungr (in 2002)
• Curtis Stigers (in 2012)
• Bettye LaVette (in 2018)

Usage in Movies and Commercials

The song appeared in an advertisement by automobile giants, Chrysler. It was used in a commercial, which Dylan starred in, to promote the company’s Chrysler 200 model. And for a fact, this was one of the ads that featured during the Super Bowl XLVIII.

Album on which “Things Have Changed” Appears

As mentioned above, this is the only song that was put out as a single from “Wonder Boys (Music from the Motion Picture).” It is also the first song on the soundtrack album. Some of the other noteworthy songs on the album’s tracklist include John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels” and Tom Rush’s “No Regrets”.

In addition to being originally featured on the soundtrack album to “Wonder Boys”, this song has also been included on various Dylan albums. One such album is “The Essential Bob Dylan”, a compilation album released in 2000. It also appeared on the singer’s 2007 greatest hits album titled “Dylan”.