Positively 4th Street
Bob Dylan
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You've got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend When I was down you just stood there grinnin' You've got a lotta nerve to say you got a helping hand to lend You just want to be on the side that's winnin' You say I let you down, ya know its not like that If you're so hurt, why then don't you show it? You say you've lost your faith, but that's not where its at You have no faith to lose, and ya know it I know the reason, that you talked behind my back I used to be among the crowd you're in with Do you take me for such a fool, to think I'd make contact With the one who tries to hide what he don't know to begin with? You see me on the street, you always act surprised You say "how are you?", "good luck", but ya don't mean it When you know as well as me, you'd rather see me paralyzed Why don't you just come out once and scream it No, I do not feel that good when I see the heartbreaks you embrace If I was a master thief perhaps I'd rob them And tho I know you're dissatisfied with your position and your place Don't you understand, its not my problem? I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes And just for that one moment I could be you Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes You'd know what a drag it is to see you
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Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Information"Positively 4th Street" was released as a single by Bob Dylan in 1965. It remains one of his most popular and enduring songs.
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Chart PerformanceThe song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S and #8 in the UK Singles Chart. It was Dylan's first Top 10 hit in the UK.
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Lyric AnalysisUnlike many of Dylan's songs, which often have abstract and poetic lyrics, "Positively 4th Street" is straight and direct. It is widely considered to be an acerbic retort to those who criticized Dylan for moving away from his folk roots toward rock and roll.
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Instrumentation"Positively 4th Street" is known for its distinctive lead electric piano, an unusual sound for pop records of the era. This exemplified Dylan's break from traditional folk and move toward a more eclectic sound.
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Title SignificanceThe 4th Street in the song's title has been widely speculated to refer to a street in Greenwich Village, New York, where Dylan once lived and played. However, Dylan has never confirmed this interpretation.
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Critical ResponseMany critics and fans consider "Positively 4th Street" to be one of Dylan's best songs. It appears on numerous 'greatest songs' lists, including Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it ranks #203.
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ControversiesThe song's confrontational lyrics sparked controversy, with speculations arising that it targeted certain individuals or groups. Dylan's target in the song, however, remains a mystery, sparking numerous debates and theories.
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Cover Versions"Positively 4th Street" has been covered by various artists including The Byrds, Johnny Rivers, Simply Red, Lucinda Williams, and Jerry Garcia.
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Place in Dylan's CatalogueThough excluding it from his greatest hits albums, Dylan has included "Positively 4th Street" in his live setlists, signalling its importance among his works.
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Sound InnovationThe song is noteworthy for its innovative sound that bridges folk and rock music. Dylan used a Fender Rhodes electronic piano, which gave the song a distinctive, cutting edge sound.
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Citation
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