Wasn't Born To Follow
The Byrds · Complete Album Collection [2011]
Run across the valley beneath the sacred mountain and
Wander through the forest
Where the trees have leaves of prisms and break the light in colors
That no one knows the names of
And when it's time I'll go and wait beside a legendary fountain
Till I see your form reflected in it's clear and jewelled waters
And if you think I'm ready
You may lead me to the chasm where the rivers of our vision
Flow into one another
I will want to die beneath the white cascading waters
She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic
And then she'll know the things I learned
That really have no value in the end she will surely know
I wasn't born to follow
Wasn't Born To Follow
Released by The Byrds on their 1966 album *For Those Who Are Left*, this track stands as a defining example of the group's transition from folk-rock to psychedelic rock. The song features a distinctive, swirling guitar solo that became a signature element of the band's later work, showcasing their ability to blend traditional songwriting with experimental soundscapes. As a staple of the era's counter-culture movement, the recording captures the restless energy of the mid-1960s, reflecting themes of personal freedom and the search for identity that resonated deeply with listeners of the time. Its enduring popularity ensures its place in the canon of classic rock, often cited as a pivotal moment in the evolution of the genre.