The Times They Are a-Changin' (song)
| "The Times They Are a-Changin'" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Swedish picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Bob Dylan | ||||
| from the album The Times They Are a-Changin' | ||||
| B-side | "Honey, Just Allow Me One More Chance" | |||
| Released | March 8, 1965 | |||
| Recorded | October 24, 1963 | |||
| Studio | Columbia Recording, New York City | |||
| Genre | Folk | |||
| Length | 3:15 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bob Dylan | |||
| Producer(s) | Tom Wilson | |||
| Bob Dylan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"The Times They Are a-Changin'" is a song written by Bob Dylan and released as the title track of his 1964 album of the same name. Dylan wrote it as an anthem of change for the time, influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads. Released as a 45-rpm single in Britain in 1965, it reached number 9 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] The song was not released as a single in the US.[2] In 2025, it was certified Gold by BPI.[3]
The song has influenced people's views about society. Critics have said the lyrics' universality give the song a lasting message of change. According to Dylan's official website, he performed the song 633 times between 1963 and 2009, making it his 23rd most-performed song as of June 2023.[4] The song has been covered by many artists, including Nina Simone; Josephine Baker; the Byrds; the Seekers; Peter, Paul and Mary; Tracy Chapman; Simon & Garfunkel; Blackmore's Night; Runrig; the Beach Boys; Joan Baez; Phil Collins; Billy Joel; Bruce Springsteen; Me First and the Gimme Gimmes; Brandi Carlile; and Burl Ives. The song was ranked number 59 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[5]
- ^ "Bob Dylan | Artist". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
- ^ John Nogowski (2008). Bob Dylan: A Descriptive, Critical Discography and Filmography, 1961-2007. McFarland. p. 21. ISBN 9780786435180.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
bpiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Songs - The Official Bob Dylan Site". bobdylan.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- ^ "The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rock List Music. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2010.