Bob Dylan’s Contribution to «Reagan» Film Soundtrack Made Public

The producers of the film «Reagan» have officially released a Bob Dylan cover featured in the movie, following months of copyright challenges stopped fans from distributing the track. This development was exclusively disclosed to Newsweek by Mark Joseph, the producer through his company, Rawhide Pictures. Dylan’s rendition of the Cole Porter classic «Don’t Fence Me In» is now accessible on YouTube.

Fans have expressed a desire to share the song since «Reagan» debuted, often recording and posting versions online. However, Rawhide Pictures has acted against these fan uploads due to concerns over quality, as explained by a company spokesperson to Newsweek. The spokesperson emphasized their intention «to make a proper recording available.» The availability of Dylan’s cover on other platforms like Spotify remains unspecified.

The film «Reagan,» although receiving predominantly negative reviews from critics, surpassed box office expectations during its initial release. While critics scored the film with an 18 percent rating based on 68 reviews, audiences responded more positively, evident from a 98 percent audience score on over 5,000 reviews. «Reagan» is an adaptation loosely based on Paul Kengor‘s 2006 book «The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism,» starring Dennis Quaid in the titular role.

The soundtrack of «Reagan,» described as star-studded by Spin.com, includes other notable covers such as Gene Simmons‘ take on «Stormy Weather» and Clint Black’s rendition of John Denver‘s «Country Roads.» Quaid expressed his honor in including Dylan’s contribution, noting that Dylan had the creative freedom to choose any song, whether an original or a cover, and opted for «Don’t Fence Me In.» Quaid’s connection to Gene Autry, his third cousin noted for popularizing the song, added personal significance to Dylan’s choice.

Quaid praised Dylan as a «national treasure,» commending his rendition for its impact on the film. Director Sean McNamara remarked that having Dylan contribute was «a dream,» adding emotional depth and helping viewers gain a more profound understanding of Reagan’s journey.

«Don’t Fence Me In,» originally composed in 1934 with lyrics by Porter and Robert Fletcher, has been covered by various artists over the years, including Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Willie Nelson. The song’s enduring appeal has been demonstrated through its continued reimagining in cultural works, most recently with Dylan’s version.