Ballad of Easy Rider
The Byrds
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The river flows, it flows to the sea Wherever that river goes that's where I want to be Flow river flow, let your waters wash down Take me from this road to some other town All he wanted was to be free And that's the way it turned out to be Flow river flow, let your waters wash down Take me from this road to some other town Flow river flow, past the shady trees Go river go, go to the sea Flow to the sea The river flows, it flows to the sea Wherever it goes that's where I want to be Flow river flow, let your waters wash down Take me from this road to some other town
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Written by: Roger McGuinn
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Creation"Ballad of Easy Rider" was written by Roger McGuinn and Bob Dylan. However, only the former gets official credit for the song. The track became the theme for the 1969 cult classic film, 'Easy Rider.'
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Notable InspirationThe track is directly inspired by the movie 'Easy Rider.' Peter Fonda, one of the film's stars, reportedly asked Bob Dylan to write the theme song for the movie. However, Dylan only jotted down a few lines and told Fonda to give them to Roger McGuinn, who created the song we know today.
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Intriguing Credit ControversyWhile Roger McGuinn receives the credit for the song, Bob Dylan reportedly wrote the lyrics for the chorus. According to the Reports, Dylan did not want to be credited because he was going through a particularly litigious period at that time.
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Album SuccessThe song is featured in the album 'The Ballad of Easy Rider', which peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
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Cover VersionsOver the years, "Ballad of Easy Rider" has been covered by many artists, including Fairport Convention, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and Mary McCaslin.
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Song InterpretationThe song is often considered to embody the free-spirited ethos of the late 1960s. Its lyrics touch on embracing the open road and seeking freedom, much like the characters in 'Easy Rider.'
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Movie Contribution"Ballad of Easy Rider" is featured heavily in the film and is arguably key to its success. The entire film encapsulates the feeling of the motorcycle-riding, freedom-seeking counterculture of the late '60s. The song's themes align perfectly with this motif.
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The Byrds' RenditionAlthough McGuinn originally performed it solo with his acoustic guitar for the film's soundtrack, The Byrds – of which Roger was a member – later produced a full band version of the song.
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Cultural Impact"Ballad of Easy Rider" is now considered a classic track both in the rock genre and the wider music industry. It encapsulates a specific moment in time for American culture, making it a cornerstone piece for many music historians and fans alike.
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Song's LegacyDespite it being more than 50 years since its release, "Ballad of Easy Rider" remains an iconic song, frequently used to signify the late '60s counterculture in media.
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Citation
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"Ballad of Easy Rider Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 3 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1871715/The+Byrds/Ballad+of+Easy+Rider>.
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