 " Just Like Tom Thumb 's Blues " is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan . It was originally recorded on August 2 , 1965 , and released on the album Highway 61 Revisited . The song was later released on the compilation album Bob Dylan 's Greatest Hits Vol . II and as two separate live versions recorded at concerts in 1966 : the first of which appeared on the B @-@ side of Dylan 's " I Want You " single , with the second being released on The Bootleg Series Vol . 4 : Bob Dylan Live 1966 , The " Royal Albert Hall " Concert . The song has been covered by many artists , including Gordon Lightfoot , Nina Simone , Barry McGuire , Judy Collins , Frankie Miller , Linda Ronstadt , the Grateful Dead , Neil Young , The Black Crowes , and Bryan Ferry . Lightfoot 's version was recorded only weeks after Dylan 's original had been released and reached # 3 on the national RPM singles chart . In addition , the song was sampled by the Beastie Boys for their song " Finger Lickin ' Good . " 
