the second voice is always late but that’s the charm and spirit of the recording. The lyrics are like a fantasy – you’d think they’re impossible to sing but he somehow cuts the syllables up so they fit in. It’s an insane skill to have, and meanwhile the hooks just keep on coming". A 2021 Guardian article included it on a list of "80 Bob Dylan songs everyone should know". In popular culture Hip hop group Public Enemy referenced the song's title in their 2007 Dylan tribute song "Long and Whining Road": "From basement tapes, beyond them dollars and cents / Changing of the guards spent, now where the hell the majors went?" Live performance history Dylan performed "Changing of the Guards" 68 times in concert. All performances were in 1978. Covers "Changing of the Guards" has been covered by: Frank Black: All My Ghosts (1998) Juice Leskinen: "Vahdinvaihto" single (1999) Chris Whitley & Jeff Lang: Dislocation Blues (2006) Patti Smith: Twelve (2007) The Gaslight Anthem: Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan (2011) References External links Lyrics at Bob Dylan's official site Chords at Dylanchords 1978 singles Songs written by Bob Dylan Bob Dylan songs Patti Smith songs Song recordings produced by Don DeVito Columbia Records singles 1978 songs