The song was initially suggested as a suitable vehicle for the band by their manager Jim Dickson. Lead guitarist Jim McGuinn felt that it would make an effective cover version, but David Crosby, the band's rhythm guitarist, felt that covering another Dylan song was formulaic. The Byrds had already released a total of six Dylan covers on their first two albums, "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!", enjoying particular success with their recordings of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "All I Really Want to Do". Despite Crosby's objections, the band recorded "My Back Pages" between December 5 and 8, 1966, during the recording sessions for their fourth album. Upon its release, this cover was received well by the critics and is today regarded as one of The Byrds' strongest Dylan interpretations. Following its release on "Younger Than Yesterday", the song would go on to become a staple of The Byrds' live concert repertoire, until their final disbandment in 1973. On December 4, 1968, a later line-up of The Byrds re-recorded an excerpt of "My Back Pages" as part of a medley that was included on their 1969 album, "Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde". The song was performed live extensively during the band's later country rock period, often segueing into Jimmy Reed's "Baby What You Want Me to Do". Live versions from this time can be found on "Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971" and as a bonus track on the reissue of "(Untitled)". The song was also performed live by a reformed line-up of The Byrds featuring Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman in January 1989.