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FOLK CLASSIC

Blowin' in the Wind

From The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)

Key: G Major Tempo: 80 BPM Difficulty: Beginner Capo: None

Featured Performance

March on Washington, 1963

The Story Behind the Song

Written in April 1962 at The Commons coffeehouse in Greenwich Village, "Blowin' in the Wind" took Dylan just 10 minutes to compose. The melody draws from the African-American spiritual "No More Auction Block."

Peter, Paul and Mary's cover version in June 1963 brought the song to mainstream audiences, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Dylan performed the song at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, just before Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Guitar Chords

Chords used:

G C D

Playing Tips:

  • • Key of G Major, no capo needed
  • • Tempo: 80 BPM - practice with a metronome
  • • Difficulty: Beginner

More Performances

Quick Facts

Written:
April 1962
Recorded:
July 9, 1962
Released:
1963
Length:
2:48
Producer:
John Hammond

Official Lyrics

Read the complete lyrics on Bob Dylan's official website.

View Lyrics →

Notable Covers

  • Peter, Paul and Mary 1963
  • Stevie Wonder 1966
  • Sam Cooke 1964
  • Neil Young 1989

Recognition

  • • Grammy Hall of Fame (1994)
  • • Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs (#14)

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