The Byrds - My Back Pages (1967)

One of the most influential bands of the 1960s, they were able to merge folk rock with the sounds of the British Invasion. A combination of their incredible harmony singing and their unique jangly guitar made them one of the top bands from 1965 to 1966. They were also responsible for directly influencing The Beatles during their (arguably) best album, Rubber Soul. You can particularly hear the influence in the song “If I Needed Someone,” where the guitar riff is almost exactly the same as their “The Bells of Rhymney.”

This song, originally written and performed by Bob Dylan, tells of how Dylan was rejecting his earlier political idealism and was now going in a new direction. The Byrds version, released in 1967, would be the last Top 40 hit for them in the US.



The Byrds - My Back Pages (1967)

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Lyrics:

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty trapped
Countless fire and flaming road
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull, I dreamed
Romantic flanks of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preached
Sisters led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now

Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now

My guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I defined these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now