"The Times They Are a-Changin'" | ||||
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![]() 1965 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 | ||||
Length | 3:15 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) | Bob Dylan | |||
Producer(s) | Tom Wilson | |||
Bob Dylan singles chronology | ||||
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"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 the song as a deliberate attempt to create 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 2019 it was certified Silver by BPI.[3]
Ever since its release, the song has been influential to people's views on society, with critics noting the universal lyrics as contributing to the song's lasting message of change. According to Dylan's official website, between 1963 and 2009 he performed the song 633 times, which makes it his 23rd most-performed song as of June 2023.[4] The song has been covered by many different 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]