Dylan Song by Song: "I Threw It All Away" Quiz

Answer: Nashville Skyline

The song was released as a single from Bob Dylan's 1969 "Nashville Skyline" album with "Drifter's Escape" on the B-side. "I Threw It All Away" peaked at number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also entered the UK Singles Chart at number thirty.

Answer: Charlie Daniels

Bob Dylan sang and played guitar on the song while Kenneth A. Buttery was on drums and Bob Wilson on organ. Charlie Daniels supplied bass guitar. Daniels worked as a Nashville session musician and played on three Bob Dylan albums from 1969-1970.

Answer: The Johnny Cash Show

Cash opened each episode of "The Johnny Cash Show", which was filmed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The TV show featured a variety of country and folk musicians, including Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Merle Haggard, Neil Young, and Gordon Lightfoot. Dylan performed "I Threw It All Away" live on June 7, 1969. He has performed the song live over 45 times since.

Answer: Hard Rain

The May 16, 1976 live performance was recorded during Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour and later included on "Hard Rain." The song is in stark contrast to the softer, original version that appeared on "Nashville Skyline."

Answer: Cher

"3614 Jackson Highway" was Cher's sixth album and was released in 1969. It was not a commercial success, but it did receive some critical acclaim. The title of the album comes from the address of Muscle Shoals Studio, where it was recorded.

Answer: fool

"I once held her in my arms
She said she would always stay
But I was cruel
I treated her like a fool
I threw it all away."

In 1989, American Indie rock band Yo La Tengo covered "I Threw It All Away" on their third album, "President Yo La Tengo." The song was also recorded by the Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster on their seventh studio album, "One Kiss," in 2006.

Answer: mountains

"Once I had mountains in the palm of my hand
And rivers that ran through every day
I must have been mad
I never knew what I had
Until I threw it all away."

"I Threw It All Away" has appeared on several lists of the best Bob Dylan songs. It ranked 42 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2020 list, number 55 in a 2005 Mojo music magazine poll, and number 34 on Uncut's 2002 list.

Answer: Love

"Love is all there is, it makes the world go 'round
Love and only love, it can't be denied
No matter what you think about it
You just won't be able to do without it
Take a tip from one who's tried."

"I Threw It All Away" is unusual among Bob Dylan's love songs in that the singer blames himself for the relationship failing. A version of the song is included on "Bootleg Series Volume 10: Another Self-Portrait," which was released in 2013.

Answer: a-hurtin'

"So if you find someone that gives you all of her love
Take it to your heart, don't let it stray
For one thing that's certain
You will surely be a-hurtin'
If you throw it all away
If you throw it all away."

Ramblin' Jack Elliot recorded a version of "I Threw It All Away" that was released more than ten years after it was recorded. The song has also been covered by jazz and cabaret singer Salnea Jones and Scottish new wave band Aztec Camera.

Answer: Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello's album was released in 1995 and featured a cover of the Dylan song. George Harrison also covered the song during the Beatles' sessions for "Let It Be." Harrison was a big fan of the song, which Dylan had played for him and his wife.