About the song
## My Back Pages – The Byrds (1965)
Bob Dylan’s “My Back Pages” is a song that, upon its release in 1964, marked a significant shift in his songwriting style. While the original version was a stark and introspective acoustic ballad, it was The Byrds’ electrifying rendition, released in 1965 on their debut album “Mr. Tambourine Man,” that truly resonated with audiences and cemented the song’s place in music history.
The Byrds’ take on “My Back Pages” was a departure from the folk-rock sound that had defined their early career. By incorporating elements of country music, rockabilly, and even surf rock, they infused the song with a sense of urgency and excitement that was missing from Dylan’s original version. The band’s harmonies, combined with Roger McGuinn’s distinctive twelve-string guitar playing, created a truly unforgettable sonic experience.
The song’s lyrics explore themes of disillusionment and the loss of innocence. Dylan reflects on his younger self, who was filled with idealism and a belief in the power of social change. However, as he has grown older, he has come to realize that the world is not as simple as he once thought. The line “I used to sing about the love of a woman, but now I sing about the love of a man” is particularly poignant, as it suggests a shift in Dylan’s perspective on love and relationships.
The Byrds’ arrangement of “My Back Pages” perfectly captures the song’s underlying melancholy. The driving rhythm and McGuinn’s soulful guitar playing create a sense of longing and regret. The harmonies, both in the verses and choruses, add a layer of emotional depth to the song. The band’s performance is both energetic and introspective, reflecting the complexities of the lyrics.
“My Back Pages” remains a timeless classic, a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and inspire thought. The Byrds’ rendition of the song is a masterpiece of songwriting and performance, a song that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Video
Lyrics
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Countless with fire on flaming roads
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 facts 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 that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
Sisters fled 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 define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now