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Highway 61 Revisited album cover
ESSENTIAL ALBUM

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan (1965)

The album that redefined rock music. "Like a Rolling Stone" broke every rule about what a hit single could be - over 6 minutes of bitter, revolutionary poetry backed by a full rock band.

1965

Released

9

Tracks

#3

US Chart Peak

Platinum

RIAA

Live Performances

Watch Dylan perform songs from Highway 61 Revisited

Like a Rolling Stone

Official Audio - Bob Dylan Channel

View song page →

Ballad of a Thin Man

Official Audio - "Something is happening here"

Desolation Row

11+ minute epic closing the album

Highway 61 Revisited

Official Audio - The title track

Track Listing

1

Like a Rolling Stone

6:13

HIT
2

Tombstone Blues

5:58

3

It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry

4:09

 4

From a Buick 6

3:19
5

Ballad of a Thin Man

5:58

FAN FAVORITE
6

Queen Jane Approximately

5:31

 7

Highway 61 Revisited

3:30

 8

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

5:32
9

Desolation Row

11:21

EPIC

Total runtime: 51:26

The Story Behind the Album

Recording Sessions

Recorded June 15-16 and August 2-4, 1965 at Columbia Studio A in New York City. The sessions for "Like a Rolling Stone" on June 15-16 produced one of rock's defining moments.

The Musicians

  • Al Kooper - Organ (accidentally created the iconic sound)
  • Mike Bloomfield - Lead guitar
  • Bobby Gregg - Drums
  • Paul Griffin - Piano
  • Harvey Brooks - Bass

Critical Reception

Upon release, the album was recognized as a seismic shift in popular music. Dylan had fully transitioned from folk to rock, alienating some fans but gaining millions of new ones.

Legacy

  • #18 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums
  • Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
  • "Like a Rolling Stone" named greatest song ever multiple times
  • Influenced countless artists from Hendrix to Springsteen

Explore More Dylan Albums

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Blonde on Blonde

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Blood on the Tracks

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Time Out of Mind

1997 - Essential