Which Folk Music Group Had a Hit Song With a Cover of Bob Dylan’s “
The answer may surprise you!
The Byrds
The Byrds had a hit song with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Folk music was very popular in the 1960s, and the Byrds were one of the most popular folk music groups of the time. They were able to appeal to a wide audience with their music, and they had a number of hit songs.
The Byrds’ version of “Mr. Tambourine Man”
The Byrds’ version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” was released as the title track of their debut album Mr. Tambourine Man in June 1965. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helped pave the way for folk rock as a commercial genre. It is considered one of the most influential recordings of the 1960s.
The Byrds’ version of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
The Byrds’ version of “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, released as a single in late 1965, was an adaptation of the Book of Ecclesiastes set to music by Pete Seeger. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the Byrds’ second gold record. In Canada, it reached number two on the RPM 100.
Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary was an American folk music group formed in New York City in 1961, during the American folk music revival phenomenon. The group was composed of Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers.
Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “Blowin’ in the Wind” became a top-ten hit single in 1963. Released on the album In the Wind, their arrangement of the song added a countermelody during the second stanza that was sung by Peter Yarrow. The group’s clear harmonies brought the song to a new audience and helped to make it an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Dylan himself acknowledged their version as “the definitive rendition” of his song.
Peter, Paul and Mary’s version of “The Times They Are a-Changin'”
Peter, Paul and Mary’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin'” was a huge hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard charts. The trio’s version is more upbeat and optimistic than Dylan’s original, which many believe reflected the hope and change that was taking place in America during the early 1960s.
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular groups of the 1960s and are best known for their hits “The Sound of Silence”, “Mrs. Robinson”, and “The Boxer”. Their cover of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin'” was a Top 10 hit in the UK.
Simon and Garfunkel’s version of “The Sound of Silence”
Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular groups of the 1960s and are best known for their hits “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge over Troubled Water” and “Mrs. Robinson”. Their music was often featured in films, such as The Graduate and Woody Allen’s Annie Hall.
Simon and Garfunkel’s version of “The Boxer”
Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They recorded their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., in 1964. The album was not successful, but they gained attention later that year when they toured withBob Dylan as his opening act. Their second album, Sounds of Silence, was released in 1966 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included their first hit single, “The Sound of Silence”.
