Bob Dylan / 3:29
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar; Madelyn Quebec: vocals; Mike Campbell: guitar; Benmont Tench: keyboards; Robbie Shakespeare: bass; Jim Keltner: drums; Bashiri Johnson: percussion; Carol Dennis, Queen Esther Marrow, and Debra Byrd: backup vocals / Recording Studios: Cherokee Studios, Hollywood, California: February 5, 1985; The Power Station / Studio B, New York (Overdubs March 18–21, 23, 1985); Shakedown Sound Studio, New York (Overdubs February/March 1985) / Producer: Bob Dylan Sound Engineers: George Tutko (Cherokee), Josh Abbey (The Power Station), and Arthur Baker (Shakedown) / Remix: Arthur Baker
“Trust Yourself” is a terrific song in which Bob Dylan delivers a simple and didactic message: if you need somebody you can trust, trust yourself first. It is kind of variant of the proverbial phrase, “Help yourself and heaven will help you.” In other words, truth and freedom can only be found by oneself, not by following an ungodly man without faith, especially “in a land of wolves and thieves.” “Trust Yourself” is an excellent rhythm and blues song, reminiscent of the marvelous version of the classic soul song “Respect Yourself” by the R&B gospel group the Staple Singers. The strength of the song comes from the excellent collaboration between Robbie Shakespeare, Jim Keltner, and Bashiri Johnson. They provide a ruthlessly efficient rhythm, allowing other instruments to be inserted into the groove and letting the song breathe. For once Arthur Baker’s mix does not overload the dynamics of the ensemble. Dylan, accompanied by Madelyn Quebec, delivers a great vocal, reinforced by the other three backup vocalists. “Trust Yourself” was recorded on February 5, and percussion overdubs were added sometime in February or March. Other brass overdubs were reported on the Power Station studio record sheets (also in March), but they were apparently not selected for this version. Dylan has performed “Trust Yourself” live twenty times; the first performance was at the first Farm Aid benefit concert in Champaign, Illinois, on September 22, 1985.