Forgotten Gems of 1965: Rediscovering Dylan, The Yardbirds, and Phil Ochs Tracks
Three lesser-known songs from a landmark year in music – 1965 – are gaining renewed attention as music fans revisit the extensive catalogs of Bob Dylan, The Yardbirds, and Phil Ochs.
Bob Dylan’s 1965 album, Bringing It All Back Home, featured several now-iconic tracks, but “On The Road Again” remains relatively obscure. The song, characterized by its surrealist imagery, is a prime example of Dylan’s early lyrical style, though it didn’t achieve the same widespread recognition as hits like “Maggie’s Farm” and “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” This period marked a pivotal shift in Dylan’s career as he embraced electric instrumentation, influencing the trajectory of popular music.
The Yardbirds, known for launching the careers of guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, also had a quieter hit in 1965 with “For Your Love.” Featuring Clapton on guitar, the song was one of his last recordings with the band before his departure in March of that year. The Yardbirds’ influence on the British Invasion and the development of hard rock is significant, despite some of their earlier work fading from mainstream memory. You can learn more about the British Invasion here.
Folk singer Phil Ochs, often overshadowed by contemporaries like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, released “Days Of Decision” on the same album as his signature song, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore.” Ochs was a prominent voice in the protest song movement of the 1960s, and his work continues to resonate with those interested in politically charged folk music. For a deeper dive into the folk revival, explore resources at the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings website. His songs offered a critical perspective on the social and political issues of the time.
Music historians anticipate continued exploration of these and other overlooked tracks from 1965 as listeners seek a more complete understanding of the era’s rich musical landscape.
