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Great Unknown Songs #16 – The Byrds “Mr. Spaceman”

Great Unknown Songs #16 - The Byrds “Mr. Spaceman”

Classic Rock

Great Unknown Songs #16 – The Byrds “Mr. Spaceman”

Not much remembered nowadays, “Mr. Spaceman” is a song by The Byrds and was the third track on their 1966 album, Fifth Dimension.

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It was released as the third single from the album, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, but failing to chart in the United Kingdom. Upon its release as a single, the music press coined the term “space-rock” to describe it, although since then, this term has come to refer to a genre of rock music originating from 1970s progressive and psychedelic music.

Written in early 1966 by Byrds member Jim McGuinn, the song was along with “5D (Fifth Dimension)” one of two science fiction-themed songs on the album.

Listen below:

“Mr. Spaceman” by The Byrds

Fifth Dimension (1966)

Initially conceived as a “melodramatic screenplay”, the song song evolved into a whimsical meditation on the existence of extraterrestrial life. Musically, it has a country-style backing, albeit with touches of psychedelia, and can clearly be seen as a precursor to the band’s later exploration of country music on Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

As such, the song has been cited by critics as one of the earliest examples of country rock. The title also recalled that of the Byrds’ earlier worldwide smash hit and debut single, “Mr. Tambourine Man”.

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I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG

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