Top 10 Best Cover Songs by The Byrds
Over the years, The Byrds recorded numerous cover versions of songs written by other artists. In fact, two of their biggest hits were covers.In this list, I'll be judging The Byrds' version of each song, not the original recording. Traditional songs with no known writer are also eligible for inclusion.
Feel free to suggest additional songs for the list.
Proper edit length was critical to get AM radio airplay. A similar situation occurred with the Doors' "Light My Fire". Morrison refused to issue a shorter version, but the record company did it anyway. Just the reality of the time.
In my opinion, it's easily the best song they covered. While their harmonies and McGuinn's guitar work and arrangement are great enhancements, they really should have used all of the verses. Shortening the lyrics detracts from the song.
Their first big hit. This song not only did wonders for them but for Bob Dylan, too.
A great cover, but Seeger himself, along with several other early '60s folkies, issued recordings of this great tune before the Byrds did.
Their second big hit. The lyrics come from King Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 and were set to music by Pete Seeger.
I thought that was an original.
This song was a traditional folk tune. Guitarist Roger McGuinn wrote new words for it after the death of President John F. Kennedy.
Another Dylan cover. This is one of my favorite Dylan covers of theirs.
Originally a Scottish folk tune, I think this is one of their most beautiful songs.
This song was originally written by famous Brill Building songwriters Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It gained some notoriety after being used in the film Easy Rider.
This song was originally written and sung by Merle Haggard. Sweetheart of the Rodeo is chock-full of great country covers.
This song was written by Bob Dylan during his Basement Tapes period. Clarence White's guitar work here is fantastic.
This song started out as a poem written by Idris Davies about a Welsh mining disaster. It was set to music by Pete Seeger.
One of the quirkier tracks on their first album. This song was written by Jackie DeShannon and given to the band. They gave it a Bo Diddley-style makeover.