Nowhere is there warmth to be foundAmong those afraid of losing their groundRain gray town, known for its soundIn places, small faces unboundRound the squares, huddled in stormsSome laughing, some just shapeless forms
Released as a single 60 years ago this month by The Byrds. I'd never heard anything like this on AM radio before. Composed by band members Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Gene Clark. A very heavy song for its time, featuring the weirdest, chaotic, atonal lead guitar (inspired by Coltrane according to McGuinn) ever heard on a rock recording, peaking on the last part of the second solo.
Beyond that is Chris Hillman's pounding bass, Crosby's strong rhythm guitar, the harmonies of Clark, McGuinn and, above all, Crosby, and the finest drumming of Michael Clark's career with the group. The song is pulsating and relentless.
Between 1965 and 1968 The Byrds pioneered folk rock, introducing Dylan to a wider audience (Mr Tambourine Man), psychedelic music (Fifth Dimension), and gave many rock fans their first taste of country music (Sweetheart of the Rodeo).
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