Ah, but I was so much older then/
I’m younger than that now.

That has to be one of the better lyrics in Rock n Roll history. In “My Back Pages” Dylan writes that the more he experiences the less he understands. For some of us it is because we are indoctrinated with school and religion when we are young and then when we begin to experience life…it comes at you fast and in unexpected ways, and it is humbling. The certainty of my beliefs that I felt as a young man might conflict with experience and that leaves me feeling like I know less than I knew before. This is one of Dylan’s deeper song meanings. Genius.

Every Dylan song has been covered, and some of the covers are better than Dylan’s original. In this case I think the Byrds version is slightly better than Dylan’s version, but they are both great. Even without the Byrds version it would still be a top 500 song. We will see other covers of Dylan songs that are so good that the cover is the only one worth listening to. For most of Dylan’s songs, his own versions are the best. This one could go either way.

The Byrds made Dylan more accessible for many people. David Crosby from CSNY and Roger McGuinn from The Band were first in The Byrds and give them that distinct sound: the harmonies and the rich electric guitars. Dylan’s voice can be an acquired taste, but his songs are universally beloved.

My Back Pages Lyrics

Crimson flames tied through my ears, rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced 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

Girls’ faces formed the forward path from phony jealousy
To memorizing politics of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists, unthought of, though somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now

A self-ordained professor’s tongue too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty is just equality in school
“Equality, ” I spoke the word as if a wedding vow
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
My existence led by confusion boats, mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now

Yes, 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

Songwriters: Bob Dylan