From album
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan · 2022 · Track 7
Details
TonalidadG
Compás3/4
Tempo171 BPM
Duración3:17
ÁlbumBlowin' in the Wind
Año2022
ISRCUSSM10007452
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The story behind
This song, The Times They Are A-Changin', was born from a very clear intention: to be an anthem for the times. Bob Dylan conceived it as a reflection of the social and cultural changes that were brewing, drawing inspiration from the structure and spirit of old Irish and Scottish ballads. It was recorded at Columbia Studios in New York, during sessions that took place on October 23 and 24, 1963. Of those recordings, the one from the second day was ultimately included as the centerpiece of the album bearing its same name. The title, with that "a-" at the beginning, refers to an archaic way of intensifying, similar to how it was used in British songs of previous centuries. The lyrics, written with short, powerful verses that accumulate in an almost hypnotic way, sought to capture the feeling of an era where the civil rights movement and folk music walked hand in hand.
The writing process for The Times They Are A-Changin' took place between September and October 1963. Before the definitive version, Dylan recorded a demo for the Witmark publishing company, a recording that would later see the light of day on the series The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991. The song was released as a single in the UK in 1965, reaching ninth place on the charts, although it did not have the same success in the United States. It has become one of the most performed songs by Dylan himself, with 633 performances between 1963 and 2009. Its universal message has been the subject of analysis by critics, who highlight its ability to transcend the specific moment of its creation. Its connection with biblical passages has even been noted, such as those from the Book of Ecclesiastes, previously adapted by Pete Seeger.
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