Garth Brooks proves that he’s one of the greatest country artists of all time with this moving performance at the ACM Awards Show.
Brooks covers the Bob Dylan original in true Garth Brooks fashion. He sits on a barstool in the middle of the stage and sings the song acoustically with his guitar. Brooks’ voice style comes through in the song as fans in the crowd cheer him on.
This performance was 22 years ago, but Brooks’ version of the song first appeared in 1998 on the movie soundtrack “Hope Floats.” Additionally, his future wife Trisha Yearwood recorded her own version of the song for the film’s album.
What’s more, Brooks’ cover of “To Make You Feel My Love” was included as a bonus track on 1995’s Fresh Horses when he reissued his catalog for his first Limited Series box set. The love song also received two Grammy nominations, one for Brooks and then one for the songwriter Bob Dylan.
Brooks’ version often gets overshadowed by some of his other legendary songs like “The Dance” and “Unanswered Prayers.” However “To Make You Feel My Love” is one that we could listen to over and over again.
Garth Brooks, Along with Others, Cover Bob Dylan Original
Bob Dylan originally wrote this song, “Make You Feel My Love,” for his 1997 album Time Out of Mind. However, it was Billy Joel who first released the song commercially under the title “To Make You Feel My Love” for his Greatest Hits Volume III compilation. The song served as the lead single, later reaching No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Dylan’s version dropped just one month later.
This song is legendary and has been coved by nearly 500 artists, American Songwriter reports. Garth Brooks is just one of them. Clare Dunn, Adele, Shane Filan, Bryan Ferry, Kelly Clarkson, Ane Brun, and Nick Knowles have all sang the single.
The feeling of compassion shines through in this song. The narrator wants to tell their love just how much they care about them.
“When the rain is blowing in your face / And the whole world is on your case / I could offer you a warm embrace / To make you feel my love,” the opening verse reads.
The track continues with words of sentiment and persuasion, but not in a bad light. It’s guidance that the narrator offers up and tries to prove their love.
“I know you haven’t made your mind up yet / But I would never do you wrong,” the song continues. “I’ve known it from the moment that we met / No doubt in my mind where you belong.”
