Everyone Loves “Bob Dylan,” Fall Out Boy’s Latest Track
By Natalie Melendez
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
Chicago-based rockers Fall Out Boy continue making waves even one year after the release of their latest LP, Mania, in 2018, this time releasing volume two of Believers Never Die. A compilation album of their greatest hits, the 2009 version of Believers Never Die featured classics such as “Grand Theft Autumn,” “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” “What a Catch, Donnie,” and even a cover of Micheal Jackson’s “Beat It.”
Now in its second volume, the album features the band’s post-hiatus hits, including the highly praised “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up),” “Centuries,” and Big Hero 6 single “Immortals.” Along with these new classics are “Dear Future Self,” a recently released track featuring Wyclef Jean, and the never-before heard “Bob Dylan.”
A reimagined track left off the band’s American Beauty/American Psycho (2015), “Bob Dylan” was quick to swoon the hearts of fans everywhere. This pop-rock tune follows the story of a lovesick rockstar as he struggles to navigate the world of fame while keeping his relationship from faltering on the edge of existence. Titled after the genre-bending musical legend Bob Dylan himself, the song’s chorus keeps the storyline and musical tribute alive [“‘Cause everyone loves Bob Dylan / I just want you to love me like that, yeah / Would you bury me next to Johnny Cash? / I’m obsessed, do you love me like that?”] while adding a layer of nostalgia.
In classic Fall Out Boy nature, the song was followed by an equally lovable and memorable music video: an animation featuring a charismatic new rockstar named Frankie. Directly paralleling the track’s lyrics, the video portrays Frankie as he goes through the motions of stardom — from parties to billboards to talk shows to flashing cameras to magazine covers and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All along, Frankie struggles with winning the heart of his beloved Star Dust, failing to realize his newfound status will not mend his relationship. The video ends with Frankie at last receiving a text from Star Dust, which reads: “I don’t care how famous you are, I like you for you,” and her appearing in his home.
Fall Out Boy may have celebrated their recent successes, but by no means are they stopping there. The four-piece will embark on the Hella Mega Tour next summer along with Green Day and Weezer, perhaps their biggest tour yet. Fans hope that this tour is a gateway into a new era of Fall Out Boy, complete with new music and more videos — but for now, let us enjoy the band’s recent hits by playing Believers Never Die Vol. 2 on loop.