“Bob Says Thanks”: How Ed Sheeran’s Hit Earned Royalties for Bob Dylan by Channeling Hendrix

“Bob Says Thanks”: How Ed Sheeran’s Hit Earned Royalties for Bob Dylan by Channeling Hendrix

In the ever-evolving tapestry of musical homage, borrowing, and brilliance, sometimes a single riff can travel through generations, link legends, and line unexpected pockets. That’s exactly what happened when Ed Sheeran  global pop superstar and acoustic wizard  unknowingly sparked royalty checks for none other than Bob Dylan… all by nodding to the ghost of Jimi Hendrix.

The story, as told with a blend of humility and disbelief by Sheeran himself, goes something like this:

> “I met Dylan’s manager,” Ed recalled, “and they were just like, ‘Bob’s very grateful for all the sync money of that song.’”

The song in question? One of Sheeran’s chart-toppers that drew musical DNA from a Hendrix classic  a sonic decision that rippled up the rights ladder and landed in Bob Dylan’s catalog. How? It all boils down to the tangled web of songwriting credits and legacy ownership. In a twist worthy of rock ‘n’ roll lore, Dylan owns the rights to the Hendrix song that Sheeran’s hit interpolated  meaning every stream, every sync, every ad placement of Sheeran’s song sent cash cascading into Dylan’s coffers.

Call it a cosmic collaboration: Hendrix’s fire, Sheeran’s finesse, and Dylan’s quiet delight.

The anecdote isn’t just a curious footnote in Sheeran’s career; it’s a masterclass in how deeply interconnected the music world is. Behind every riff and rhythm lies a legacy, a contract, a trail of inspiration. And sometimes, as Sheeran’s experience proves, paying tribute to a sound from decades past can unexpectedly pay off  for someone you’ve never met.

As for Bob Dylan? The folk legend may not be dancing on TikTok, but rest assured, he’s still cashing in  thanks, in part, to the melodies of a redheaded troubadour from Suffolk.

So next time Ed Sheeran’s hit plays in a commercial or echoes through a movie scene, just picture Dylan, somewhere in the quiet, tipping his hat to Hendrix  and counting his blessings, one sync check at a time.