Studio Album · No. 17
Saved Songwriting Credits by Bob Dylan
Holds writing credit on 8 of 9 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 8 / 9 documented
Scored across the 9 tracks with documented writers, by whether Bob Dylan carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 9 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Most of Saved was written by Bob Dylan, with two exceptions: A Satisfied Mind is a cover written by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes, and the title track Saved was co-written by Dylan with bassist Tim Drummond. The 1980 album was the second of Dylan's Christian-period records, again produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. It was recorded quickly at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama.
Released June 23, 1980, Saved was Dylan's second installment in his so-called Christian trilogy, recorded February 11-15, 1980 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama with producers Barry Beckett and Jerry Wexler returning from Slow Train Coming. Dylan wrote the majority of the tracks, though "A Satisfied Mind" was credited to Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes, and the title track listed bassist Tim Drummond as co-writer. Where Slow Train Coming had integrated funk and soul production values, Saved deepened its reliance on gospel arrangements with lyrics explicitly extolling personal faith, representing a more doctrinally focused approach than its predecessor. The album reached No. 3 in the UK but only No. 24 in the US, selling approximately 380,000 copies without achieving gold certification, a significant commercial step down from Slow Train Coming. Critical response was polarized, with CCM Magazine praising it as an open declaration of deepening faith while Rolling Stone's Kurt Loder acknowledged the skilled backing musicians but found the overtly religious messaging limiting.
Track Listing & Credits 9 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Satisfied Mind
|
Joe HayesJack Rhodes | Joe HayesJack Rhodes | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 2 |
Saved
|
Robert Allen ZimmermannTim Drummond | Robert Allen ZimmermannTim Drummond | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 3 |
Covenant Woman
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 4 |
What Can I Do for You?
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 5 |
Solid Rock
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 6 |
Pressing On
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 7 |
In the Garden
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 8 |
Saving Grace
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |
| 9 |
Are You Ready
|
Robert Allen Zimmermann | Robert Allen Zimmermann | Barry Beckett | Bob Dylan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) |