Hear Bob Dylan's unfinished song, with songstress Nikki Jean: 'Steel and Feathers (Don't Ever)' -- EXCLUSIVE

Bob Dylan Nikki Jean
Photo: David Gahr

What better gift for a birthday boy than his own song, rescued from the sonic dust pile and reborn?

Dylan’s fellow Minnesota native Nikki Jean, a twentysomething singer-songwriter previously best known for touring with Kanye West and guesting on Lupe Fiasco tracks, looked to more traditional inspirations for her upcoming July 12 release Pennies In a Jar.

Pennies features songs co-penned by Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Carly Simon, and yes, Bob Dylan, whose “Steel and Feathers” is an unfinished track circa his early ’80s Shot of Love era; producer Sam Hollander introduced Dylan to Nikki’s work, and he gave her his permission to complete the composition.

Listen to the final result of their decade-crossing collaboration, exclusive to EW.com, after the jump:

Read more from EW.com:

Bob Dylan at 70: Still alive

What’s the best protest song of all-time?

Bob Dylan to play his first-ever concert in China

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