Ballad of Easy Rider

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Ballad of Easy Rider · This album took its name from the title song, intended as the theme song of the 1969 film Easy Rider. Peter Fonda asked Bob Dylan for a song; he wrote a few lines on a napkin with the instruction to give them to McGuinn. Roger McGuinn finished the song. Dylan later had his name removed as co-writer. The film brought the band more attention, even though most of the music had nothing to do with it.

The recording sessions of July and August 1969 were led by Terry Melcher, whom the group brought back as producer after two earlier albums. It was the second album by the line-up with Clarence White, Gene Parsons and John York, who was fired shortly after it was finished. Besides the title song, Jesus Is Just Alright and Deportee stand out. The first reactions were mixed. Today it is regarded as one of the stronger records from the band's later years.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Ballad of Easy Rider2:04Apple Music ↗
2. 2Fido2:40Apple Music ↗
3. 3Oil In My Lamp3:13Apple Music ↗
4. 4Tulsa County2:49Apple Music ↗
5. 5Jack Tarr the Sailor3:31Apple Music ↗
6. 6Jesus Is Just Alright2:10Apple Music ↗
7. 7It'S All Over Now, Baby Blue (Alternate Mix)4:53Apple Music ↗
8. 8There Must Be Someone (I Can Turn To)3:29Apple Music ↗
9. 9Gunga Din3:03Apple Music ↗
10. 10Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)3:50Apple Music ↗
11. 11Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins1:41Apple Music ↗
12. 12Way Behind the Sun2:57Apple Music ↗
13. 13Mae Jean Goes To Hollywood2:44Apple Music ↗
14. 14Oil In My Lamp (Alternate Version)2:02Apple Music ↗
15. 15Tulsa County (Alternate Version)3:39Apple Music ↗
16. 16Fiddler a Dram (Moog Experiment)3:10Apple Music ↗
17. 17Ballad of Easy Rider (Long Version)2:26Apple Music ↗
18. 18Build It Up (Instrumental)5:34Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

See also

• The Byrds