Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man' lyrics sell for over $500,000

Rare drafts of Dylan’s iconic 1965 hit highlight his creative process.

Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics and annotations for the song "Mr. Tambourine Man." © Julien's Auctions/AP

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

Two yellowed sheets of stationery, crumpled but intact, reveal a rare glimpse into Bob Dylan’s creative genius. These typewritten lyrics, complete with scribbled changes, capture the genesis of one of the most celebrated songs of the 1960s: Mr. Tambourine Man. The early drafts of this 1965 chart-topping hit recently sold for over $500,000 at Julien’s Auctions, a California-based auction house specializing in high-profile memorabilia.

The delicate papers were part of a collection of Dylan memorabilia from his early career, including sketches, photographs, and other personal items. The lyrics, originally owned by Al Aronowitz, a trailblazing rock ‘n’ roll journalist of the 1960s, offer fans and scholars a deeper understanding of Dylan’s approach to songwriting.

The drafts were discovered among the personal archives of Al Aronowitz, who chronicled the lives of 1960s music legends. Aronowitz, who passed away in 2005, was known for his close relationships with artists like Dylan and his ability to capture the essence of an era through his writing.

“He never threw anything away,” said his son, Myles Aronowitz. Over the years, Myles has meticulously sifted through 250 boxes of his father’s personal collection, which he describes as a time capsule of 1960s music and culture. Among the treasures were the drafts of Mr. Tambourine Man, long thought to be lost.

“For Dylan enthusiasts, these drafts are a window into his genius,” said Richard Thomas, a Harvard classics professor who teaches a course on Dylan’s writing. “It’s absolutely mind-blowing to see the evolution of one of his most iconic songs.” 

In a 1973 column for The New York Sunday News, later archived on his personal website, Al Aronowitz recounted the evening Dylan began drafting Mr. Tambourine Man at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. According to Aronowitz, Dylan sat at a white Formica breakfast bar, typing on Aronowitz’s portable typewriter while a haze of Camel cigarette smoke swirled around him.

“Marvin Gaye sang ‘Can I Get A Witness?’ from the six-foot speakers of my hi-fi,” Aronowitz wrote, describing the soundtrack to Dylan’s creative process. Each time the record ended, Dylan would rise to reset the needle before returning to the typewriter.

The following morning, as Dylan slept on his couch, Aronowitz found the discarded drafts in a waste bin. Struck by their emotional resonance, he salvaged the yellowed sheets, unknowingly preserving a piece of music history.

When Dylan penned Mr. Tambourine Man, he was navigating a tumultuous period in his personal life. He had recently ended his relationship with Suze Rotolo, who famously appeared with him on the cover of his 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Despite the personal upheaval, Dylan channeled his emotions into his music, crafting lyrics that would become a cornerstone of his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home.

The song’s impact extended beyond Dylan’s recording. In 1965, The Byrds released their version of Mr. Tambourine Man, which became a commercial success and helped establish the folk-rock genre.

Even decades after its creation, Mr. Tambourine Man remains a touchstone in Bob Dylan’s illustrious career. The recent sale of the song’s drafts coincides with renewed interest in the legendary artist, who has been the subject of multiple headlines.

Dylan’s early career is being revisited in the biopic A Complete Unknown, which explores his rise to fame in 1960s New York. The film has reignited public fascination with Dylan’s formative years, showcasing the cultural landscape that shaped his music.

On a lighter note, Dylan recently joined the social media platform TikTok, just as its future in the United States appeared uncertain. In a playful nod to the platform’s potential shutdown, Dylan shared a clip from a 1960s news conference in which he quipped, “Good god, I must leave right away.”

For Myles Aronowitz, the discovery of Dylan’s drafts is part of a larger mission to preserve his father’s archives. The collection includes rare home recordings, letters, notes, and photographs from some of the greatest musical talents of the 1960s.

“It’s remarkable,” Myles said of the collection. While he plans another auction, his ultimate goal is to donate the archives to a library or museum, ensuring their historical value is recognized and accessible to future generations.

The sale of Mr. Tambourine Man drafts underscores the enduring legacy of Bob Dylan’s work. As a Nobel Prize-winning artist, Dylan’s influence on music and culture remains unparalleled. These early drafts serve as a testament to the painstaking process behind his genius, offering fans a glimpse into the mind of one of music’s greatest storytellers.

Mr. Tambourine Man has transcended generations, resonating with listeners through its poetic lyrics and universal themes. The drafts, once crumpled and discarded, now hold a place of honor in music history, a reminder of the transformative power of creativity.

From a New Jersey breakfast bar to a global stage, Dylan’s words continue to inspire. The sale of these drafts not only celebrates his artistry but also preserves a moment in time when music and culture were forever changed.

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