George Harrison's cover of Bob Dylan's "If Not for You" became one of the standout tracks on his 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass, his first major work after The Beatles split. Feeling overshadowed for years by the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, Harrison sought support from close collaborators, including Dylan and Eric Clapton, as he stepped out on his own. Dylan shared the then-unreleased song with him during a joint session, and Harrison's version, reworked as a slower, soulful ballad featuring his signature slide guitar, went on to eclipse the original in popularity for many listeners.

The pair's friendship, forged during The Beatles' early trips to America, extended well beyond this cover. They performed "If Not for You" together at the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, and Harrison played it again in 1992 to mark 30 years of Dylan's career. Their collaboration also produced "I'd Have You Anytime," a track Harrison wrote for Dylan during a difficult period, which likewise featured on All Things Must Pass.