Learn to Play Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me, Babe” | Patreon Song of the Month

“It Ain’t Me, Babe,” first released on Bob Dylan’s 1964 album Another Side of Bob Dylan, quickly became a defining piece of the singer-songwriter’s early catalog, marking his shift from political protest songs to more introspective, personal themes. The song’s message of emotional distance and self-definition struck a chord with listeners, leading to a wide range of covers over the years. The most famous of these include the Turtles’ 1965 version, which transformed the song into a jangly folk-rock hit, and Johnny Cash and June Carter’s haunting, country-inflected interpretation from that same year. These diverse renditions underscore the song’s capacity to resonate across genres.

The transcription here is based on the original studio recording. In approaching the song, it’s essential to capture both the simplicity and emotional nuance that define Dylan’s style. While the tune is based in the key of G major and uses a straightforward progression involving the I (G), IV (C), V (D), and iii (Bm) chords, subtleties in the chord voicings add a touch of musical sophistication. Instead of playing an open D chord in many measures, Dylan uses a C shape slid up two frets, with the open G string functioning as the Dadd4 chord’s fourth. Similarly, instead of a B minor barre chord, Dylan moves an open Am shape up a major second, strumming only the top strings for the more colorful Bm(add11)/F# chord, with the open high E being the 11th.

When interpreting the rhythms, don’t worry too much about playing them exactly as written. Instead, aim for a relaxed, conversational feel—this mirrors Dylan’s signature approach, where the lyrics are delivered with a natural, almost offhand cadence. The tempo should remain moderate, reflecting the song’s reflective tone, but allowing for slight variations to underscore the emotional shifts in the lyrics. Note, too, that due to the solo setting, Dylan sometimes plays around with the beat, such as adding an extra eighth note to measure 52, though you could play the entire song in common time if that feels more natural.

Above all, keep in mind that the essence of “It Ain’t Me, Babe” lies in its simplicity and directness, so focus on conveying the song’s introspection rather than overcomplicating the strumming and arrangement.

The TAB and notation for “It Ain’t Me, Babe” are available to members of the Acoustic Guitar Patreon page at the Supporters tier or higher. Join our community to access live workshops, song transcriptions (like “Hotel California,” “Hello in There,” “The Entertainer,” and more!), exclusive podcast episodes, and guitar lessons.

For a full lesson on Bob Dylan’s guitar style, and those of other legends, check out Play Like the Great Singer-Songwriters, available at store.acousticguitar.com.