Traveling Wilburys Songs Ranked
The Traveling Wilburys (sometimes shortened to the Wilburys) was an English–American supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty. Originating from an idea discussed by Harrison and Lynne during the sessions for Harrison’s 1987 album Cloud Nine, the band formed in April 1988 after the five members united to record a bonus track for Harrison’s next European single. When this collaboration, “Handle with Care”, was deemed too good for such a limited release, the group agreed to record a full album, titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1. Following Orbison’s death in December 1988, the band released a second album, which they titled Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3, in 1990.
The project’s work received much anticipation given the diverse nature of the singer-songwriters. The band members adopted tongue-in-cheek pseudonyms as half-brothers from a fictional Wilbury family of traveling musicians. Vol. 1 was a critical and commercial success, helping to revitalize Dylan’s and Petty’s respective careers. In 1990, the album won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. Here are all of The Traveling Wilburys’s songs ranked.
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12. Rattled (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Rattled” is a rockabilly-based number that would have fit in nicely on a Creedence LP. Dylan’s heartbreak ballad. “Rattled” is a solid rocker with good Harrison electric guitar. Lynne’s rips you out of your chair for a country-infused boogey down.”
11. Margarita (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
““Margarita” begins with some electronic sounds and takes all the members into a more new wave territory but then it becomes a happy surf rock sounding track led by Petty.”
10. Wilbury Twist (The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3, 1990)
“Well why shouldn’t four ageing rockers wig-out on a humorous knockabout rocker in the style of an old-time Jerry Lee Lewis tune. They all sound like they’re having fun and that comes over in the music.”
9. She’s My Baby (The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3, 1990)
“Sparky rocker from the second Travelling Wilburys with a melody vaguely reminiscent of the Pirates classic “Shakin’ All Over”. Again, Jeff, Tom, Bob, and George each have a crack at the lighthearted lyric while Jim Keltner batters away on the drums and Gary Moore provides some scintillating electric lead guitar.”
See more: Traveling Wilburys Albums Ranked
8. Inside Out (The Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3, 1990)
“Another highly likeable song from the Wilburys. Principally written by Dylan whose surprisingly strong vocal dominates the verses and chorus while Harrison takes the bridge. There’s a soupçon of George’s slide guitar in the mix as well as a nod to his old band while Jim Keltner keeps the beat as few else can.”
7. Dirty World (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“While most experiencing this album for the first time would probably assume the lead single was the best on the album, it comes as quite a surprise that once the second Dylan led track “Dirty World” hits that it’s actually a better track with the same snappy rhythms along with a nice orchestral backing with an infectious toe-tapping glee.”
6. Last Night (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Very definitely a Tom Petty song from the Wilburys album, it’s a fun barroom singalong, with cheesy horns and percussion accompanying the broad humour of the morning-after-the-night-before lyric. Roy O sings the bridge sweetly while Tom carries the wryly humorous verses.”
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5. Heading for the Light (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“While the lyric signifies a return to his faith, to the rest of us ageing oldies it can also seem like a rallying call as we head into our grey years, at least that’s how I read it. As a song, it gallops in fine style with a sparkling Jeff Lynne influence in the production and he and George’s prominent backing vocals.”
4. Tweeter and the Monkey Man (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Tweeter And The Monkey Man” written and sung by Bob Dylan narrates a clever story about drug dealers. “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” is my favorite tune on the album, and might be the best thing Dylan wrote the entire decade of the ’80s.”
3. Not Alone Any More (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Closing the original A side of the LP is the Orbison led “Not Alone Any More” which although written by Lynne sounds out of sync with the rest of the album as it clearly belongs on an Orbison solo album due to his voice being so starkly original that it really detracts from the group effort.”
2. Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Opening with a wonderfully catchy guitar figure and delivered with such honesty and humility that it makes your heart just glow, “Handle With Care” is the perfect example of how to achieve a delicate balance of superstars whilst still making the song the focus, rather than the big names. Each contributor patiently awaits his turn to step into the spotlight, and the result is a pleasingly sentimental and enduring tribute to modesty.”
1. End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, 1988)
“Because of this, anyone listening to the single can hear just why this album was so great. Tom Petty was still at the peak of his career, Bob Dylan finally started sounding good again on this release, George Harrison was having one last blast before he faded and Roy Orbison was on the cusp of a comeback that, unfortunately, was cut short by his death in 1989. Jeff Lynne, for his part, did a decent job on the production, although it does sound a bit dated now.”
