Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

My Back Pages

"My Back Pages" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter , first released on August 8, 1964, as the eighth track on his fourth studio album, . The lyrics critique the dogmatic idealism of Dylan's earlier protest-era compositions, portraying his past self's pursuit of concepts like and as rigid and illusory, with the paradoxical refrain "Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now" symbolizing a return to a less encumbered perspective over ideological maturity. Composed amid Dylan's evolving artistic outlook, the track marked his pivot toward introspective and romantic themes, distancing from overt political messaging. The song gained renewed prominence through a 1967 cover by the folk-rock band , featured on their album and issued as a that peaked at number 30 on the chart. This version, blending jangling guitars and harmonious vocals, exemplified the Byrds' signature style and helped bridge Dylan's folk roots with emerging rock influences. "My Back Pages" has since been interpreted as a broader for , rejecting absolutist convictions in favor of experiential openness, and remains a staple in Dylan's live performances and tribute events.

Origins and Composition

Historical Context

In 1964, , then 23 years old, was navigating a pivotal shift in his songwriting amid the burgeoning centered in City's Greenwich Village scene. Having gained prominence through protest anthems like "" (1963) and albums such as (1963) and The Times They Are a-Changin' (January 1964), Dylan embodied the era's civil rights activism and anti-establishment fervor, performing at events like the in August 1963. However, by mid-1964, Dylan expressed growing disillusionment with the dogmatic expectations of the folk purist community, which demanded unwavering topical relevance and ideological conformity, prompting a turn toward surreal, personal introspection influenced by Beat poets like and . "My Back Pages" emerged as a key artifact of this transition, written in spring 1964 as one of the last compositions for Dylan's fourth studio album, , recorded solo on June 9, 1964, at ' Studio A in . The track's reflective critiqued the rigid of youthful political —phrases like "" invoked as vows and "crimson flames" tied to ears symbolizing overheated ideological passion—mirroring Dylan's rejection of his earlier role as an involuntary spokesman for causes, a stance he later articulated as burdensome amid the escalating buildup and domestic unrest. This departure drew immediate backlash from folk traditionalists, who labeled the album a "sellout" for eschewing themes in favor of inward-looking narratives. The song's context underscores a broader cultural tension within the , where initial optimism for clashed with the limitations of prescriptive ; Dylan's pivot prefigured his electric folk-rock evolution in 1965, challenging the acoustic purism of peers like the organizers. Released on August 8, 1964, Another Side captured this inflection point, with "My Back Pages" encapsulating Dylan's embrace of ambiguity over certainty, a theme resonant in an era of intensifying generational divides.

Writing Process

Bob Dylan composed "My Back Pages" in early 1964, during a period of personal and artistic transition following the intense political engagement of his initial albums. The song emerged as one of the last—possibly the final—pieces written for his fourth studio album, , reflecting his growing disillusionment with the dogmatic tone of his prior protest-oriented work, such as "The Times They Are a-Changin'". The writing aligned with Dylan's rapid creative bursts at the time; he produced approximately 20 new songs that year, often drawing from immediate emotional shifts rather than extended revision. Lyrics critiqued youthful ideological rigidity—"Equality, I spoke the word as if a wedding vow"—positioning the song as a self-referential pivot toward themes, with the "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" encapsulating a rejection of premature certainty. This composition predated the album's single-evening recording session on June 9, 1964, at Columbia's Studio A in , where Dylan performed it acoustically with minimal accompaniment.

Lyrical Themes

"My Back Pages" critiques the rigid ideological certainties of Dylan's earlier era, portraying youthful as mired in and simplistic moral binaries. The depict the singer's past self as ensnared by "" illusions and " flames" of fervent conviction, where "good and bad" were "quite clear" and became a dogmatic "crusade," reflecting Dylan's rejection of the absolutist preaching in songs like those from his 1962-1963 phase. This self-reckoning emphasizes personal growth through experience, as evidenced by the paradoxical : "I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now," symbolizing how dogmatic maturity yields to a humbler, more nuanced wisdom. The song's confessional tone underscores disillusionment with the folk movement's expectations, where skewers his former absolutism as a form of intellectual entrapment rather than liberation. Lines evoking "half-wracked leaped forth" and "ripplin' with words" critique the overconfident rhetoric of early anthems, signaling a shift toward introspective complexity over public moralizing. Analysts interpret this as Dylan's explicit renunciation of being pigeonholed as a figure, prioritizing evolution over collective dogma, a theme resonant in his transition to more personal works post-1964. This evolution aligns with Dylan's broader artistic pivot, evident in the album released August 8, 1964, where yields to reflective ambiguity. Influences from Dylan's reading and experiences, including and personal fatigue with activism's demands, infuse the lyrics with anti-dogmatic humility, rejecting "liars and their lyin'" as internal self-deceptions. Thematically, it warns against the of defining truth in absolutes, a stance Dylan maintained in later reflections on his career, positioning the song as a prescient of ideological rigidity that persists beyond its 1964 context.

Recording and Production

Studio Sessions

The recording of "My Back Pages" occurred on June 9, 1964, as part of a single extended evening session at ' 7th Avenue studio in , during which the entirety of the album was captured. The session commenced around 7:30 p.m. and extended into the early morning hours, with Dylan performing the track solo on and vocals, without additional musicians or overdubs. Produced by Tom Wilson, the effort yielded 14 tracks attempted in total, 11 of which were selected for the album; "My Back Pages" required only two takes, with the second designated as the master. By the completion of its final take around 1:30 a.m., the informal atmosphere—fueled in part by and accompanying friends consuming bottles of wine—had fostered a raw, unpolished intimacy reflective of the song's introspective shift from 's prior protest-oriented work. was among those present for portions of the session, though he did not participate in the recording itself. The track's straightforward arrangement, clocking in at 4:22, emphasized 's fingerpicked guitar and harmonica fills, captured live to two-track tape under Wilson's oversight.

Instrumentation and Arrangement

The original studio recording of "My Back Pages," captured on June 9, 1964, at ' Studio A in , consists exclusively of Bob Dylan's vocals accompanied by his playing, without harmonica or any other . This solo setup aligns with the album 's predominant reliance on Dylan's unaccompanied acoustic performances, diverging from fuller arrangements on his prior releases and emphasizing raw, immediate delivery. Dylan's guitar work utilizes Drop-D tuning and centers in the key of C, incorporating inventive fingerpicking patterns that alternate between arpeggiated chords and percussive strums to propel the song's reflective tempo. The arrangement eschews overdubs or additional musicians, capturing a single-take essence typical of the session's late-night intensity, where nailed the master after limited attempts amid experimentation with melodic variations per verse. This sparse structure underscores causal dynamics in the track's emotional arc, allowing lyrical to dominate without distraction.

Lyrics and Musical Structure

Verse and Chorus Breakdown

The song "My Back Pages" employs a structure of four , each consisting of six lines of dense, metaphorical followed by a two-line that repeats verbatim and functions as the , providing thematic resolution and irony. This —"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now"—contrasts the of with the of gained , appearing after every verse to unify the song's introspective arc. The first verse depicts fervent ideological navigation: "Crimson flames tied through my ears / Rollin' high and mighty traps / Pounced with on flaming roads / Using ideas as my maps / 'We'll meet on edges, soon,' said I / Proud 'neath heated brow." Here, and combative symbolize an early commitment to abstract principles as guiding forces, culminating in self-assured confrontation. The evokes in dogmatic pursuits, with the speaker's "heated brow" signaling emotional . The second verse shifts to interpersonal and moral absolutes: "Half-wracked leaped forth / 'Rip down all hate, babe, and let and sunlight in' / You cast your spell and I went under / I find my too late / 'Right does it' / , babe, it is a doom / Machined to my heart." This critiques naive for unbridled over hate, portraying as an explosive force and as fatally vulnerable, akin to a mechanical assault on vulnerability. The delayed realization of "too late" underscores misguided . In the third verse, militaristic and chivalric motifs emerge: "In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand / At the mongrel dogs who was at my door / The passed me by / In a noble, true heart, and I / Asked her for her hand / Romantic damsels in distress / Swooned in false light and ." The speaker adopts a defensive posture against perceived threats, only to pivot toward romantic , but the "" reveals illusions in heroism and , highlighting performative rather than authentic valor. The fourth verse synthesizes ethical binaries: "Good and bad, I define these terms / Quite clear, , somehow / A lie wishes that a truth to tell / I aim to be just that / Half-wracked leaped forth / 'Rip down all hate,' I screamed / Lies that life is / Spoke from my . I dreamed / facts of musketeers / Foundationed deep, somehow." Recalling earlier motifs like and hate, it rejects rigid categorizations and simplistic dualisms, with dreamed " facts" critiqued as unfounded, reinforcing the refrain's rejection of former certainties. The across verses loosely follows an ABABCC pattern or variations thereof, with internal rhymes enhancing rhythmic flow, while the maintains a consistent structure for emphatic closure. This lyrical architecture, devoid of a or outro, prioritizes repetition to mirror cyclical self-reflection.

Harmonic and Melodic Elements

' version of "My Back Pages," recorded in December 1966 for the album , is set in the key of , facilitating McGuinn's prominent 12-string guitar and the band's layered vocal . The progression primarily cycles through E (I)–C♯m (vi)–G♯m (iii)–A (IV)–B (V), creating a diatonic framework typical of mid-1960s folk-rock that evokes through its repetitive yet resolving structure. This harmonic motion supports the narrative flow without abrupt modulations, allowing the lyrics' reflective tone to dominate. The adapted , which McGuinn constructed by condensing Dylan's original verse-only form, shifts to a sequence involving Bm–F♯m–G–A–D (relative to the key), heightening emotional contrast with its minor-inflected start before ascending to major resolution on D. Melodically, the lead vocal line, delivered by McGuinn in a nasally approximating Dylan's, features a descending stepwise in phrases like "Crimson flames tied through my ears," mirroring the song's theme of receding youthful certainty, while occasional leaps to the high E note add tension suited to the guitar's jangly . A defining melodic element is the band's three-part vocal harmonies, particularly in the chorus where David Crosby's high tenor weaves above McGuinn's lead, creating dense, Everly Brothers-inspired stacks that enhance the refrain's anthemic quality without overpowering the sparse instrumentation. These harmonies, recorded with precise overdubs, introduce subtle dissonances resolved on downbeats, contributing to the track's ethereal yet grounded sonic profile.

Release and Reception

Album Integration

"My Back Pages" serves as the third track on the B-side (eighth overall) of ' fourth studio album, , released on February 6, 1967, by . The album's title directly derives from the song's iconic , "I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now," reflecting themes of personal evolution and disillusionment with rigid ideologies that permeate 's original composition. Positioned after David Crosby's experimental psychedelic track "Mind Gardens" and before the more straightforward "The Girl With No Name," it provides a structural anchor, blending the album's ventures into jazz-inflected and psychedelic sounds with the band's foundational folk-rock sensibilities rooted in earlier interpretations. The Byrds' rendition integrates seamlessly into Younger Than Yesterday's diverse sonic palette, which marked a transitional phase amid lineup instability—Gene Clark had departed in early , elevating Chris Hillman's role, while tensions with Crosby foreshadowed his 1967 exit. Recorded during sessions from August to December at Columbia's studios, the track employs the group's signature 12-string guitar riff, layered harmonies, and an uptempo arrangement that contrasts Dylan's acoustic original from 1964's , infusing it with brighter, more propulsive energy suitable to the album's innovative edge. This cover, one of the few songs on an otherwise original-material-heavy LP, underscores the band's evolution from strict proxies to eclectic stylists, while reinforcing continuity with their breakthrough hits like "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" from prior albums. Despite its non-lead position, "My Back Pages" bolstered the album's critical cohesion, contributing to 's reputation as a sophisticated fusion of folk-rock tradition and emerging , with the track's lyrical introspection mirroring the introspective undercurrents in s like "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Time Between." The was later extracted for a release on March 13, 1967, backed with "," reaching number 30 on the , which highlighted its standalone appeal while affirming its role in elevating the album's commercial viability amid the Byrds' internal flux.

Initial Critical Response

Upon the release of on August 8, 1964, "My Back Pages" garnered notice as the album's final track, its lyrics reflecting a departure from 's prior emphasis on social protest toward personal introspection and self-critique of dogmatic certainty. The song's recurring —"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now"—signaled a rejection of youthful ideological rigidity, positioning the 23-year-old as gaining through experience. This shift provoked unease among some folk music adherents and critics, who perceived "My Back Pages" as a recantation of Dylan's established role as a protest voice, amounting to political apostasy amid expectations for continued activism. Folk purists expressed broader disappointment with the album for prioritizing personal themes over urgent social concerns like racism and inequality, interpreting tracks like "My Back Pages" as emblematic of naivete-shrugging jadedness rather than principled engagement. Such reactions underscored tensions within the 1960s folk scene, where Dylan's evolution challenged listeners invested in his prior persona as a generational spokesperson.

Commercial Performance

"My Back Pages" was not released as a single from Bob Dylan's 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan, which peaked at number 43 on the US Billboard 200 chart and later achieved gold certification by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 units. In the United Kingdom, the album reached number 8 on the Official Albums Chart, reflecting stronger initial reception there. The Byrds' cover, featured on their 1967 album —which peaked at number 24 on the and number 37 in the UK—was issued as a single in March 1967, backed with "." The single climbed to number 30 on the , spending 12 weeks on the chart and marking ' final US Top 40 hit. No specific sales certifications exist for the song itself across versions, though its enduring popularity contributed to later compilations and tribute performances.

Interpretations and Controversies

Philosophical and Ideological Readings

"My Back Pages," recorded by on June 9, 1964, for his album , articulates a rejection of ideological and dogmatic certainty characteristic of his earlier protest songs. The depict the pitfalls of youthful intellectual arrogance, where "ideas as [his] maps" lead to "high and mighty traps" and "half-wracked " that demands simplistic solutions like "rip[ping] down all hate" without acknowledging life's nuances. This reflects a philosophical pivot toward , recognizing that moral often foster rather than genuine understanding, as evidenced by the tone of chagrin over past certainties. The —"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now"—inverts chronological age to signify maturation through disillusionment, where rigid ideologies age the mind prematurely by imposing false binaries, such as "lies that life is ." Philosophically, this aligns with a of Enlightenment-era rationalism's overreach, favoring experiential over abstract doctrinal fervor, a theme Dylan explores by equating equality's invocation to a "wedding vow" fraught with unintended tyrannies. Ideologically, the song signals 's departure from the folk-protest movement's populist zeal, which he had amplified in tracks like "The Times They Are a-Changin'," toward personal introspection that distrusts collective ideological fervor as a form of entrapment. Interpretations emphasize the song's caution against the dogmatism inherent in activist circles, where calls for mask naive , as critiques his own prior role in fueling such movements. This reading underscores causal realism in human affairs: ideological maps fail when they ignore the complexity of motives and outcomes, leading to "flaming roads" of rather than resolution. 's evolution here prefigures broader cultural shifts away from mid-century leftist orthodoxy, prioritizing individual over group-enforced narratives.

Criticisms from Activist Circles

Upon its release on the album on August 8, 1964, "My Back Pages" elicited backlash from segments of the folk and protest s who interpreted its lyrics as a rejection of the dogmatic Dylan had previously embodied. Author Mike Marqusee, in his 2003 analysis of 's political evolution, noted that "no song on Another Side distressed Dylan's friends in the movement more than 'My Back Pages'," portraying it as a transformation of earlier incoherent rants against figures into a stylized dismissal of rigid ideological commitments, such as equality and justice campaigns tied to groups like the Emergency Civil Liberties Committee. This view framed the song's —"I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now"—as Dylan's personal , prioritizing individual growth over collective struggle. Critics within activist circles, including folk purists aligned with civil rights and causes, accused Dylan of abandoning his role as a topical songwriter in favor of self-indulgent , which they deemed politically regressive. Publications from the left, such as Green Left Weekly, described the track as explicitly dismissing Dylan's prior social engagement, reflecting broader disappointment among those who had elevated him as a voice for systemic change since songs like "The Times They Are a-Changin'" in 1964. This sentiment echoed in contemporaneous reactions, where traditionalists in the scene viewed the shift—evident in lines critiquing "a self-ordained professor's" dogmatic "dumb" pronouncements—as a betrayal that undermined the movement's momentum, predating but foreshadowing greater uproar over 's later electric experimentation. Such criticisms often stemmed from expectations that Dylan remain tethered to protest orthodoxy, with detractors overlooking the song's underlying call for intellectual humility over absolutism; Marqusee's account, while sourced from leftist perspectives, underscores how movement insiders prioritized ideological consistency, interpreting Dylan's evolution as apostasy rather than artistic maturation. No major organized boycott ensued, but the track contributed to Dylan's growing alienation from folk activists by 1965, as evidenced by interpersonal tensions documented in biographical accounts of the era.

Covers and Performances

The Byrds' Version

The Byrds recorded their version of "My Back Pages" during sessions for their fourth studio album, , on December 5, 1966, at Columbia Studios in , . The track featured on lead vocals and 12-string guitar, and on harmony vocals and guitars, Hillman on bass, and Michael Clarke on drums, with producing. Internal band tensions arose, as Crosby opposed including another cover, viewing it as a amid their shift toward original material, though McGuinn advocated for it to recapture their folk-rock roots. Released on the album on February 6, 1967, the showcased McGuinn's nasal delivery emulating 's style, layered with the band's signature jangly guitars and tight harmonies, transforming Dylan's acoustic introspection into a psychedelic-tinged rock arrangement. It was issued as a on March 13, 1967, backed with "," marking the band's return to Dylan interpretations after earlier hits like "." The single debuted on the at #86 on March 26, 1967, eventually peaking at #30, becoming ' final Top 40 hit in the U.S. Critics praised the rendition for its fidelity to 's lyrical depth while infusing it with the band's evolving sound, with McGuinn's riff and vocal phrasing highlighted as evoking a "smoother" Dylan essence. The cover reinforced ' role in popularizing Dylan's catalog during the mid-1960s folk-rock boom, though it underscored lineup strains leading to Crosby's departure later that year.

Other Notable Covers

A collaborative rendition featuring alongside , , , , and was performed live on October 16, 1992, during Dylan's 30th anniversary concert celebration at in . This version, characterized by its ensemble interplay and electric arrangement, was released on the 1993 live album and has been frequently highlighted for its star power and faithful yet energetic interpretation. The recorded a harmony-driven cover for their 1969 album Hollies Sing Dylan, emphasizing vocal layering in a style reminiscent of their pop-rock sound. In contrast, the delivered a high-speed adaptation on their 1993 covers album , with on lead vocals, transforming the introspective original into a raw, aggressive track. Steve Earle included an acoustic, stripped-down version on his 2002 release Sidetracks, aligning with his roots and drawing from Dylan's narrative depth. Other interpretations span genres, such as The Nice's arrangement from 1971 and Keith Jarrett's improvisational take in 1969, showcasing the song's adaptability across musical styles.

Dylan's Live Renditions

Bob Dylan first performed "My Back Pages" live on July 4, 1978, during his world tour at the Pavillon de Paris in , , opening the set with an instrumental introduction before vocals, 14 years after its original studio release. The song subsequently entered his regular repertoire, appearing approximately 260 times in concerts up to its last documented performance on July 8, 2012. One of the most acclaimed live versions took place at the 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration on October 16, 1992, at in , featuring Dylan alongside on 12-string guitar, , , , and sharing vocals and instrumentation in a harmonious ensemble rendition. This collaborative take, drawn from Dylan's composition, highlighted the song's enduring appeal and was later included on the event's official release. Throughout the Never Ending Tour era, Dylan typically delivered "My Back Pages" in acoustic arrangements, often with harmonica solos or backing from band members like violinist Larry Campbell, as in a November 3, 1999, performance in . These renditions emphasized introspective phrasing and varied tempos, reflecting 's evolving interpretive style without altering core lyrics.

Legacy and Influence

Impact on Dylan's Career

"My Back Pages," the opening track on Bob Dylan's fourth studio album , released on August 8, 1964, encapsulated the singer's burgeoning disillusionment with the rigid ideological frameworks of his early protest songs. The lyrics reject dogmatic notions of "" and "" as flawed guides—"Lied, innocence tanned / Take that false mouth from my head"—while the refrain "Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now" articulates a paradoxical maturity in embracing ambiguity over youthful absolutes. This represented Dylan's conscious pivot from topical social commentary, as in The Times They Are a-Changin' (1964), toward personal introspection, a stylistic evolution that biographers identify as commencing during the album's June 1964 recording sessions in . The song's release accelerated Dylan's departure from the folk movement's expectations, alienating some activists who viewed him as a generational spokesman but solidifying his reputation among critics for lyrical depth and . By foregrounding individual doubt over collective anthems, "My Back Pages" foreshadowed the artistic risks of Dylan's 1965 electric pivot at the and albums like , which expanded his audience beyond purists while inviting backlash from traditionalists. This reinvention, rooted in the song's themes, underpinned Dylan's career longevity, transforming him from protest icon to enduring cultural figure capable of perpetual stylistic renewal.

Broader Cultural Resonance

The themes of "My Back Pages," particularly its critique of dogmatic and embrace of , have echoed in broader philosophical and cultural reflections on personal evolution. The song's central —"Ah, but I was so much older then / I'm younger than that now"—encapsulates a rejection of the self-assured associated with Dylan's early phase, resonating as a on how accumulated experience erodes certainties once held with fervor. This motif has been invoked in discussions of ideological disillusionment, where youthful yields to toward grand narratives of and , as evidenced by lines decrying "romanticized" views of and "cromulent" lies in pursuit of . In political commentary, the track has served as a cautionary emblem against the rigidity of , with analysts interpreting its dismissal of enforced "" as a prescient warning against conflating with uniformity. Critics and scholars have cited it as an act of "political ," disturbing to purists who viewed Dylan's shift from topical to introspective as a , yet affirming for those advocating nuanced over ideological . This resonance extends to conservative interpretations, though some dispute claims of Dylan's alignment with such views, emphasizing instead the song's universal rebuke of self-righteous certainty regardless of political stripe. Culturally, "My Back Pages" inspired the naming of Rock's Backpages, a of over 75,000 articles from music periodicals founded in 1998 by British journalist and archivist Barney Hoskyns, symbolizing a archival "looking back" at rock history free from revisionist dogma. Its performance by a ensemble including , , and at the 1992 concert for Dylan's 30th anniversary further amplified this, drawing 18,000 attendees and broadcast viewership to frame the song as a rite of reflective maturity amid evolving cultural landscapes.

References

  1. [1]
    Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
    My Back Pages iTUNES · 9. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) ... Liner notes: Another Side of Bob Dylan Released 05/01/1964 © 1973 ...
  2. [2]
    60 Years Ago: 'Another Side of Bob Dylan' Turns a Page
    Aug 8, 2019 · Bob Dylan released the gold-selling 'Another Side of Bob Dylan ... In fact, "My Back Pages," with its refrain of "I was so much older ...<|separator|>
  3. [3]
    "My Back Pages": The Bob Dylan Song That Can Guide a ... - FEE.org
    Jun 23, 2020 · “My Back Pages” is a reflection on Dylan's earlier protest songs. The lyrics suggest the young songwriter had changed or grown in some way.
  4. [4]
    The Hidden Meaning Behind Bob Dylan's My Back Pages - Grunge
    Oct 17, 2022 · And while the famous refrain of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" does seem to suggest changes of one sort or another in Dylan's personal life, when ...<|separator|>
  5. [5]
    My Back Pages | The Official Bob Dylan Site
    My Back Pages · Appears on · Lyrics 1961-2012.Missing: meaning | Show results with:meaning
  6. [6]
    My Back Pages by The Byrds - Songfacts
    Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 26th 1967, the Byrds' covered version of "My Back Pages" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #86; five weeks later ...
  7. [7]
    The Byrds Went Back to Their Dylan-Covering Origins for Their Last ...
    Sep 24, 2025 · And the song enjoyed a little bit of chart success, working its way to No. 30. Turning the “Pages”. The Byrds clearly hadn't lost their touch on ...
  8. [8]
    Bob Dylan's “My Back Pages”. He was so much older then.
    Jul 19, 2017 · Then I heard a beautiful rendering of My Back Pages of his 1964 album, aptly titled Another side of Bob Dylan. Dylan was 23 years old at the ...
  9. [9]
    My Back Pages (1964) – Bob Dylan | Observation Blogger
    Sep 27, 2024 · My Back Pages is a song included on his 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan and one of (if perhaps) the last songs he wrote for the album being ...
  10. [10]
    August 8, 1964: Release of Another Side Of Bob Dylan, the ... - Reddit
    Aug 10, 2024 · He caught hell from the folk purists over this one. The word sellout was used more than once. They wanted more protest songs.
  11. [11]
    Bob Dylan's 'Another Side of Bob Dylan' Turns 60 | Album Anniversary
    Aug 4, 2024 · Happy 60th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's fourth studio album Another Side of Bob Dylan, originally released August 8, 1964.<|separator|>
  12. [12]
    “My Back Pages” – Bob Dylan | Kenneth Harper Finton
    Bob Dylan wrote “My Back Pages” in 1964 as one of the last songs—perhaps the last song—composed for his Another Side of Bob Dylan album. ... He recorded it on ...
  13. [13]
    http://bob-dylan.org.uk/archives/12174
  14. [14]
    My Back Pages - the Bob Dylan Commentaries
    Information on Bob Dylan's song My Back Pages. Lyric interpretation, musical roots, live performances, historical context.Missing: inspiration | Show results with:inspiration
  15. [15]
    Bob Dylan's Back Pages – Henry T. Edmondson III - Law & Liberty
    Jul 10, 2020 · The tone of “My Back Pages” song is confessional, equal parts chagrin and humility derived from experience, all captured by the pithy one-line chorus.Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
  16. [16]
    My back pages - Untold Dylan
    Aug 12, 2014 · ... meaning of the song My Back Pages. Yours is similar to mine. One of a few relating it to the Vietnam war! Dylan released his original 1964 I ...
  17. [17]
    Bob Dylan Sheet Music My Back Pages - Come Writers And Critics
    "My Back Pages" is a song written by Bob Dylan and included on his 1964 album ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN. It is stylistically similar to his earlier folk protest ...
  18. [18]
    'Another Side of Bob Dylan': Younger Than That Now
    Jun 9, 2024 · The album eventually titled Another Side of Bob Dylan was recorded on June 9, 1964, starting around 7:30 pm Containing 11 of the 14 tunes cut that night.
  19. [19]
    Another Side of Bob Dylan
    Another Side was recorded during one long session on June 9, 1964, during which Dylan helped polish off a couple bottles of wine. The wine didn't seem to ...
  20. [20]
    Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions, 1960-1994 - Amazon.com
    Clinton Heylin has devoted his career to Bob Dylan's work and presents here a comprehensive study of all of Dylan's recording sessions.Missing: My | Show results with:My
  21. [21]
    Behind the Album: The Landmark 'Another Side of Bob Dylan' by ...
    May 17, 2024 · Bob Dylan hated the title of his fourth album. It wasn't his idea, but rather the brainchild of Tom Wilson, the LP's producer.
  22. [22]
    Dylan Revisited: Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964) - The FM Club
    Feb 20, 2024 · Waiting there was producer Tom Wilson – who had no idea what to expect – some of Dylan's friends, journalist Nat Hentoff and many bottles of ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  23. [23]
    Faces in the Crowd: Tom Wilson (Producer) - Mind Smoke Records
    It should be noted that Tom Wilson produced some of Dylan's most memorable albums; The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, The Times They Are a-Changin', Another Side of ...
  24. [24]
    Tom Wilson (Melody Maker, 1976) | Tom Wilson, Producer
    ... Bob Dylan's sixth album, Highway 61 Revisited. Wilson produced Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan and Bringing It All Back ...
  25. [25]
    Bob Dylan's Biograph: The complete song notes
    Sep 12, 2025 · On the same night, he recorded All I Really Want To Do, Chimes of Freedom, To Ramona, My Back Pages, and fourteen others. SIDE TWO. 1. THE ...
  26. [26]
    Video Lesson: Discover the Secrets Behind Bob Dylan's Inventive ...
    Jun 13, 2022 · Three of the remaining songs—“My Back Pages,” “I Don't Believe You,” and the ironically titled “Ballad in Plain D”—are played in C, using the ...
  27. [27]
    [PDF] Keith Negus Bob Dylan and the studio: a performer's confrontations ...
    It is notable on 'My Back Pages', 'Ballad in Plain D' and 'Chimes of Freedom'. Rather than errors, as evidence that he hasn't learned the songs, I'd say that it ...
  28. [28]
    Bob Dylan – My Back Pages Lyrics - Genius
    My Back Pages Lyrics: Crimson flames tied through my ears / Rolling high and mighty traps / Pounced with fire on flaming roads / Using ideas as my maps ...
  29. [29]
    My Back Pages Chords by The Byrds
    Rating 4.8 (299) Rating: ☆ 4.8 / 5 (299) · Difficulty: intermediate · Tuning: E A D G B E · Key: E · Capo: 2nd fret · Author: Pencom · Last edit: Aug 12, 2025.
  30. [30]
    MY BACK PAGES CHORDS by The Byrds @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com
    Rating 4.9 (103) [Intro] E Esus4 E Esus4 E Esus4 E Esus4 [Verse 1] E C#m G#m Crimson flames tied through my ears A B E Rollin' high and mighty traps E C#m G#m Pounced with ...
  31. [31]
    My Back Pages by Bob Dylan (cover) - The Acoustic Guitar Forum
    Mar 12, 2019 · My Back Pages by Bob Dylan (cover) Show and Tell. ... guitar solo about 2/3rds of the way through the song. I did not use it anywhere else ...
  32. [32]
    My Back Pages - vocal harmony parts - narkive
    Note also that the melody line of the song jumps from string to string. Such was the brilliance of Byrds harmonies that they often wove in and around the ...
  33. [33]
    https://www.discogs.com/master/30054-The-Byrds-Younger-Than-Yesterday
  34. [34]
    My Back Pages - The Byrds | AllMusic
    My Back Pages Review by Thomas Ward. One of Bob Dylan's great songs, “My Back Pages” is not a song which has seen a great deal of cover versions – certainly ...
  35. [35]
    55 Years Later: Revisiting The Byrds' Inventive Fourth LP 'Younger ...
    Feb 5, 2022 · Given the tumult surrounding the Byrds at the end of 1966, it's a wonder the group created such a stellar album as Younger Than Yesterday.
  36. [36]
    My Back Pages by The Byrds - 1967 Hit Song
    Peak Month: April 1967 7 weeks on Vancouver's CKLG chart. Peak Position #6 1 week Hitbound: March 18, 1967. Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 ~ #30
  37. [37]
    The Crackin', Shakin', Breakin' Sounds | The New Yorker
    Dylan was now tired, but he retained his good humor. “This last one is called 'My Back Pages,' ” he announced to Wilson. It appeared to express his current ...
  38. [38]
    Dylan on U.S. Charts - Expecting Rain
    Nov 18, 1995 · BB CB #22-32 #21-25 Frewheelin' #20-21 #29-16 The Times They Are A-Changin' #43-41 #25-18 Another Side of Bob Dylan #6-43 #7-35 Bringin' It All ...
  39. [39]
    Another Side of Bob Dylan Turns 50
    Aug 8, 2014 · ... My Back Pages” with a chorus stating “I was so much older then/ I'm ... Though the album eventually was certified gold for sales, its highest ...
  40. [40]
    BOB DYLAN songs and albums | full Official Chart history
    ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN cover art. ANOTHER SIDE OF BOB DYLAN BOB DYLAN. Peak: 8,; Weeks: 19. Read more icon Close read ...
  41. [41]
    Billboard 200™
    Peak Position. 1. Peak Chart Date. 02/11/67. Chart History. Lazy loaded ... Younger Than Yesterday. The Byrds. LW; 39. PEAK; 32. WEEKS; 7. LW; 39; PEAK; 32; WEEKS ...
  42. [42]
    The Byrds | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
    Explore The Byrds' music on Billboard. Get the latest news, biography, and updates on the artist.
  43. [43]
    Rock History 101: Bob Dylan Goes... Introspective - Consequence.net
    May 24, 2013 · “My Back Pages”, off Another Side of Bob Dylan, is a raw, brutal critique of populist revolt itself. Dylan, much to the dismay of his ...
  44. [44]
    Bob Dylan and the wisdom of looking back - Aleteia
    Feb 12, 2024 · In stanza after stanza of My Back Pages, we hear a Dylan who seems battle-ready for the war against 1960s injustice. But, in truth, this song is ...
  45. [45]
    "'Equality,' I Spoke the Word as if a Wedding Vow": Solzhenitsyn ...
    Jun 9, 2023 · Bob Dylan noticed the same usefully incoherent confusion and sent ... My Back Pages.” There, in a delightful savaging of self-important ...
  46. [46]
    The Politics of Bob Dylan - Red Pepper
    Nov 1, 2003 · He was recording a song called 'My Back Pages', a dense, image-crammed critique of the movement he had celebrated in 'The Times They are A- ...
  47. [47]
    100 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs - Rolling Stone Australia
    Jul 3, 2020 · “My Back Pages” was the sound of the greatest protest singer of the Sixties leaving politics behind – an alternately wistful and sneering ...
  48. [48]
    [PDF] CHIMES OF FREEDOM
    The antipolitics of "My Back Pages" and "To Ramona" is only one ex pression of the changing artistic personality revealed on Another Side. In "All I Really ...
  49. [49]
    Bob Dylan: The degeneration of a '60s figurehead - Green Left
    Jan 24, 2001 · His song, "My Back Pages", explicitly dismissed his previous engagement with social issues. As some left critics saw it, this album of ...
  50. [50]
    The Sound of Bob Dylan - Commentary Magazine
    The violent hostility of traditionalists to Dylan's rock-and-roll made the previous uproar over “My Back Pages” seem mild. Even bohemians called him a sellout ...
  51. [51]
    How the 1964 Album 'Another Side of Bob Dylan' Marked the Poet ...
    Apr 24, 2025 · Another Side of Bob Dylan was literally that: the poetic, personal side of the growing folk figure. While this album was initially dismissed as ...
  52. [52]
    Performance: My Back Pages by The Byrds | SecondHandSongs
    First recorded on: December 5, 1966 ; Released on · Younger than Yesterday Album February 6, 1967 ; Other version: My Back Pages - B.J. Blues - Baby, What You Want ...
  53. [53]
    https://www.discogs.com/release/6858846-The-Byrds-My-Back-Pages
  54. [54]
    My Back Pages & Younger Than Yesterday – The Byrds
    Oct 24, 2019 · Younger than Yesterday saw the Byrds pulling in every direction they knew how to: Beatle-ised Dylan covers, embryonic country rock with ...
  55. [55]
    The Byrds, "My Back Pages" (1967) - Rolling Stone Australia
    May 28, 2021 · “Mr. Tambourine” took folk-rock to the top of the charts, played a huge role in jumpstarting the L.A. rock scene, and, in Roger McGuinn's ...
  56. [56]
    The Byrds: "My Back Pages" b/w "Renaissance Fair" (Columbia 4 ...
    Mar 14, 2025 · In spite of Crosby's objections, "My Back Pages" was recorded by the band between December 5 and December 8, 1966, during the recording sessions ...Missing: details personnel
  57. [57]
    Byrds – My Back Pages
    Apr 11, 2025 · Roger McGuinn's voice plus Rickenbacker is always a winning combination. Dylan recorded his version in 1964 on his Another Side of Bob Dylan ...
  58. [58]
    None
    Summary of each segment:
  59. [59]
    Bob Dylan Concert Setlist at Pavillon de Paris, Paris on July 4, 1978
    Jul 4, 1978 · My Back Pages. (Live debut). Play Video · She's Love Crazy. (Tampa Red cover). Play Video · Baby, Stop Crying. Play Video · Mr. Tambourine Man.
  60. [60]
    Songs Played Live | The Official Bob Dylan Site
    ... My Back Pages First Release: Another Side of Bob Dylan First Played: Jul 04, 1978 Last Played: Jul 08, 2012 Times Played: 260 · My Blue Eyed Jane First ...
  61. [61]
    The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration – Deluxe Edition (2014)
    “My Back Pages,” originally from 1964's Another Side of Bob Dylan, became a history-making group effort, with McGuinn, Petty, Young, Clapton, Dylan and ...
  62. [62]
    Bob Dylan setlist 991103 - Columbus - Expecting Rain
    ... music and your live performances. I have seen you 5 times this year, St ... 2. My Back Pages (acoustic) (Larry on Fiddle and Bob on harp) The Cleveland ...
  63. [63]
    https://www.setlist.fm/stats/bob-dylan-1bd6adb8.html?song=My_Back_Pages
  64. [64]
    How Bob Dylan Shed Spokesman Role on 'Another Side'
    Aug 8, 2016 · On 'Another Side of Bob Dylan,' the singer-songwriter made a deliberate move away from protest songs and toward more personal material.
  65. [65]
    Bob Dylan's controversial career: 1961-1965 - Ladders
    May 20, 2021 · One of the songs “My Back Pages” lamented his recent political past, declaring: “Ah, but I was so much older then/I'm younger than that now.”.
  66. [66]
    Conservative Embrace of Bob Dylan is Dubious - Splice Today
    Mar 14, 2019 · ... the song “My Back Pages” in 1964. I appreciate Lurie's enthusiasm for his thesis, but it's just wrong. Even worse, he quotes an historian ...
  67. [67]
    Rock's Backpages makes for a rolling good read
    the name is a clever nod to the famous Bob Dylan song “My Back Pages” — is filled with rock memorability and hidden ...
  68. [68]
    From Bob Dylan, My Back Pages on the album Another Side of Bob ...
    Feb 17, 2025 · Although Dylan wrote the song in 1964, he did not perform it live until 1988. "My Back Pages" has been covered by artists as diverse as Keith ...