"Mr. Tambourine Man" is a song written, composed, and performed by Bob Dylan, who released his original version of it on his 1965 album BRINGING IT ALLL BACK HOME. The Byrds also recorded a version of the song that they released in the same year as their first single on Columbia Records, reaching number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the UK Singles Chart, as well as being the title track of their debut album, MR. TAMBOURINE MAN. The Byrds' recording of the song was influential in popularizing the musical subgenres of folk rock and jangle pop, leading many contemporary bands to mimic its fusion of jangly guitars and intellectual lyrics in the wake of the single's success.
This song has been performed and recorded by many artists, including Judy Collins, Odetta, Melanie, and William Shatner. The song's popularity led to Dylan recording it live many times, and it has been included in multiple Dylan and Byrds compilation albums. It has been translated into other languages, and has been used or referenced in television shows, films, and books.
The song has a bright, expansive melody and has become famous in particular for its surrealistic imagery, influenced by artists as diverse as French poet Arthur Rimbaud and Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The lyrics call on the title character to play a song and the narrator will follow. Interpretations of the lyrics have included a paean to drugs such as LSD, a call to the singer's muse, a reflection of the audience's demands on the singer, and religious interpretations.
Dylan's song has four verses, of which The Byrds only used the second for their recording. Dylan's and The Byrds' versions have appeared on various lists ranking the greatest songs of all time, including an appearance by both on ROLLING STONE's list of the 500 best songs ever. Both versions also received Grammy Hall of Fame Awards.
 USA, 1965, Witmark & Sons |
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 USA, Warner Bros. Piano, vocal, guitar chords, 4 pages |
 USA, Warner Bros. Piano, vocal, guitar chords, 4 pages |
 USA, USA, M. Witmark & Sons, Piano, vocal, guitar chords |
 USA, Warner Bros. Deluxe Edition, Piano, vocal, guitar chords |
 USA, Warner Bros. Deluxe Edition, Piano, vocal, guitar chords |
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 USA, 4 pages, for piano and vocal, Warner Bros. Music (ref: KY 1261 8) |
 USA, 4 pages for Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Vocal, Warner Bros. Music |
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 Australia, Allans Music Pty. Ltd. / Melbourne, Adelaide, Bendigo, Hobart, Launceston. Authorised for sale in Australia and New Zealand Only, Price 3/6, 35c. |
 Australia, same, different price (4/, 40c). |
 Australia, same, different price (45c). |
 Sweden 1965, published by Carl Gehrman Musikförlag in Stockholm |
 Argentina, 1966, Compania Representante Editoriales Americana (C.R.E.A.), 4 pages |
 USA, (The Byrds) 1965, Witmark & Sons |
 UK, 'Featured and Recorded by The Byrds on CBS 201765'. Blossom Music |
 Italy. Edizioni Musicali Radio Record Ricordi, Milano 1964, 4 pages. Italian text by Mogol, vocal, mandolin and accordion |
 USA, Warner Bros. Seven Arts Music 1968. 'Quick-Steppers, the solid sound for band'. Arranged by Gene Sande |
 USA, Chappell, arranged by Michael Burnett for School Ensemble. |
 UK, Warner Bros. Music Ltd, 'Recorded by Johnny Johnson and his Bandwagon on Bell Records' |
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 France, as recorded by Hugues Aufray, Société Intercontinentale de Musique, vocal and piano, French lyrics by Pierre Delanoë and Hugues Aufray |
 same, Editions Warner Bros Filipacchi You You Music |
