Wasn't Born to Follow

The Byrds, 1968, from The Notorious Byrd Brothers. Solo by Clarence White.

Clarence White's string-bending country licks dominate the arrangement of this Goffin–King song.

Wasn't Born to Follow is a Goffin-King song, and Clarence White's string-bending country licks dominate the arrangement. His playing is bright and twangy, with bends that imitate the sound of a pedal steel guitar. The contrast between the song's gentle melody and White's energetic guitar gives the track a lively, playful character. White's work with the Byrds helped bring country guitar into rock, anticipating the country-rock sound that would take hold over the following years. Listen for the bends that slide up to pitch smoothly, a technique that makes his electric guitar sound surprisingly like a steel guitar.

Wasn't Born to Follow by The Byrds is featured in our Folk Rock (#19) list. The solo is played by Clarence White and the song was released in 1968.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Folk Rock Guitar Solos — #19
• The Best The Byrds Guitar Solos — #9

Sources