Behind the Hit: Hootie & The Blowfish's 'Only Wanna Be With You' and Bob Dylan's Influence
Musicians often draw inspiration from other artists, and Hootie & The Blowfish's hit song "Only Wanna Be With You" is no exception. The 1995 track references Bob Dylan's songs "Tangled Up in Blue" and "Idiot Wind," which didn't go unnoticed by Dylan himself. Initially, Dylan's management didn't object to the lyrics, but that changed once the song became a massive success.
Darius Rucker, the lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish, admitted that "Only Wanna Be With You" was a tribute to his love for Bob Dylan and his album Blood on the Tracks. The band sent the song to the publishing company, and everything seemed fine until Dylan's team requested compensation for the references. Hootie & The Blowfish ended up making a one-time payment of approximately $350,000 to resolve the issue.
While Hootie & The Blowfish didn't face a lawsuit from Dylan, his lawyers presented them with an ultimatum that led to the payment. Despite the financial setback, the band's album Cracked Rear View achieved immense success, going 21-times platinum. Even though Bob Dylan isn't credited as a songwriter for "Only Wanna Be With You," fans are aware of the inspiration behind the iconic lines.