[2] Music critic Johnny Rogan describes the lyrics as an "evocation of pastoral freedom and the implicit desire to escape from the restrictions of conventional society.

[1][2] Byrds producer Gary Usher acquired "Wasn't Born to Follow" before it was released or recorded by anyone else through his connections at the Screen Gems production company and his personal acquaintance with Carole King.

[2][3][4] As Byrds' drummer Michael Clarke had left the group during the recording of the album, Jim Gordon, who also performed on the City's version, plays drums.

[3] Rogan points out that the Byrds revamped King's melody and also added some "starting" effects, including the juxtaposition of White's country-style guitar playing and "a cascade of exotic phrasing.

"[3] According to Allmusic critic Thomas Ward, the Byrds play the song "with supreme modesty" in recognition of "beauty of the purest forms of American music.

"[3] CBS Records in the United Kingdom took advantage of the song's prominent use in the film and released "Wasn't Born to Follow" as a single on September 26, 1969,[7] in the unfulfilled hope of scoring a fluke hit.

English singer-songwriter Beth Orton included a cover of the song as one of three bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of her fifth studio release Sugaring Season, from 2012.

American indie rock band Yo La Tengo released a cover of "Wasn't Born to Follow" as a single in August 2020.