Bob Dylan actually wrote this in 1967. But he didn’t get around to releasing his (stereotypically Bob Dylan, with harmonica and country guitar) until 1971.
It’s a great song, of course. In many ways, though, I prefer this laidback 1968 cover by The Byrds.
The song has even more country character, with a walking bass and steel guitar. Makes sense really, because it was released on an album called Sweetheart Of The Rodeo.
It’s a pleasant, easygoing song. The vocal harmonies on the chorus are very 60s, and I don’t miss Dylan’s harsh harmonica on this!
The Byrds obviously loved working with Bob Dylan, having had success previously with “Mr Tambourine Man”.
Still, there was a bit of controversy when The Byrds’ version of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” fluffed the lyrics, singing ‘pack up your money, pick up your tent’ instead of the original ‘pick up your money, pack up your tent’.
Then Bob Dylan, in his version, sang ‘pack up your money, put up your tent, McGuinn’!