Cover vs. Original

Mr. Tambourine Man


This is a toss-up, but I'll give my vote to the Byrds. Their version rocks -- from the electric guitar intro by Jim McGuinn to his harmonizing with David Crosby. Who cares if the rest of the instruments were played by studio musicians (did you really want Michael Clarke clunky drumming on this one)? Dylan's version is wonderful, too, with perhaps the best vocals he ever recorded and a nice, sweet guitar and harmonica. While the song was already a stand-out, it was the Byrds who moved it to a higher level.

- Rex Chickeneater, Kisumu, Other - Africa, 30.01.2006


The Byrds
1965

vs.

Bob Dylan
1965

CD-Cover: The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man 42.7 % 57.3 % CD-Cover: Bob Dylan - Bringing it all back home
Results of the voting: Cover versus Original
Click on the cover for listening Click on the cover for listening
The Byrds 1177 Votes Bob Dylan

Comments about Mr. Tambourine Man:

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I love the sound of McGuinn's guitar riff and the Byrds' harmonies, but they only did the 2nd verse. Dylan wins for "to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free, silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands, with all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves. Let me forget about today until tomorrow."
- Mike, Kinderhook, United States, 13.11.2010
Dylan's lyrics are wrapped in a (very well done) veil of sound in the Byrds' version. Dylan's version places the lyrics in the forefront, so I click on Bob for this.
- Rob L. , Vancouver, United States, 26.08.2010
Altho he was never a great singer, sometimes, altho unexplainable in a strictly musical sense, Bob's voice just sounds better on his own songs. Like this one and forever young. Both good versions tho. I have both but Bob gets more play time on my iPod
- Paul, Columbus, United States, 18.07.2010
When the Byrds sing it, it's a great song. But its just a great song. Dylan's original is poetic and heart-wrenching and touching. It's a masterpiece. Dylan wins it, hands down.
- Laura, New York, United States, 14.12.2009
Hugues Aufray recorded L'homme orchestre, the French version of this tune in 1965, and surely he is the best! Listen to his concert in l'Olympia!
- MT_Anthony, Budapest, Hungary, 15.09.2009
Dylan's, most definitely. The Byrds's version is pretty good as well, but it's pop, made for the mainstream to enjoy and dance to while it's on the radio for a few weeks. Nothing wrong with that.

But Dylan's is beautiful and, just.. immortal.
- Hayley, Alderson, United States, 07.02.2009
Dylan's, most definitely. The Byrds's version is pretty good as well, but it's pop, made for the mainstream to enjoy and dance to while it's on the radio for a few weeks. Nothing wrong with that.

But Dylan's is beautiful and, just.. immortal.
- Hayley, Alderson, United States, 07.02.2009
Bob Dylan all the way.
- The Monkey, ddd, United States, 14.01.2009
Dylan's version envelops the listener and transport them to a different time and place. Dylan is by far one of the greatest Musicians ever and his version destroys the pop "cool" version by the byrds, which by the way is still good, just not comparable to legendary
- Billy Boy Grunt, San Diego, United States, 26.08.2008
I'd vote for Bob Dyllan - Live at Budokan anytime! What a great version.
- Peter, Mannheim, Germany, 12.08.2008
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