THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

621-The Byrds-All I Really Want to Do.

1965-Number 4 single.

Best Bit-At 0.20. Using the lyrics of Bob Dylan, and heavily influenced by the harmonies of the Beach Boys, and arranged in a ‘Beatlesque’ manner, ‘Folk Rock’ had just been invented.

The Byrds were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1964, they were active until 1973, but reformed again in 1989-1991, and again in 2000, for the final time, after which the band name was retired. The groups only constant was Roger McGuinn (lead guitar and vocals,) who was known as Jim McGuinn until mid 1967.The other four original members were Gene Clark (1944-1991,) (rhythm guitar, and vocals,) David Crosby (see also best songs 417) (rhythm guitar, and vocals,) Michael Clarke (1946-1993,) (drums,) and Chris Hillman (bass guitar, and vocals.) There have been a further five subsequent members between 1968-1973, including Gram Parsons (1946-1973.)

‘All I Really Want to Do’ was written by Bob Dylan (see also best songs 792-358-103-36 and 7) for his forth studio Album ‘Another Side of Bob Dylan’ from 1964. The lyrical content was a departure for Dylan from his normal topical songwriting, to a more personal one. The song was inspired by Dylan’s recent separation from his girlfriend of three years, Suze Rotolo (1943-2011,) although some have speculated that the song is a message from Dylan to his fans, that regardless of any change in musical style, he will always be there for them.

This was The Byrds second Dylan cover, as in January 1965 they had recorded ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’which went to Number 1 on Billboard, and also in the UK. The Byrds had not wanted to do another Dylan cover, but Columbia Records had insisted, thinking a follow up hit was a certainty, but the singer Cher (see also best songs 672) also released her version of ‘All I Want to Do’ at the same time, as her debut solo single, and a chart battle ensued. In the UK, The Byrds were the winners, with there version reaching Number 4, and Cher making Number 9, but in America Cher was the winner reaching Number 15, while The Byrds could only get to Number 40.

‘I don’t want to meet your kin, make you spin, or do you in, or select you, or dissect you, or inspect you, or reject you.’