About this song
“Mr. Tambourine Man” is a song written by Bob Dylan and made famous by The Byrds in 1965. The Byrds’ version is notable for its jangly 12-string guitar sound and harmonized vocals, which helped define the folk-rock genre. Lyrically, the song revolves around themes of escapism and a longing for freedom, with the tambourine man acting as a symbol of guidance into a dreamlike, imaginative state.
The Byrds’ rendition was a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and greatly influencing the direction of rock music in the 1960s.