Positively 4th Street

"Positively 4th Street" by Bob Dylan, released as a single in 1965, is a biting, lyrical masterpiece that captures the essence of betrayal and disillusionment. Recorded on July 29, 1965, in New York City, the song was not included on either of Dylan's landmark albums, Highway 61 Revisited or Blonde on Blonde, but stood alone as a follow-up to "Like a Rolling Stone." It reached No. 1 on Canada's RPM chart, No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, with Rolling Stone magazine ranking it No. 203 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. The song's title, curiously absent from the lyrics, has sparked debate about its inspiration, with some speculating it references Greenwich Village's 4th Street, where Dylan lived during his early New York days. Others, including fans on Reddit, suggest it’s a diss track aimed at the folk community who criticized Dylan’s shift to electric music, with lyrics like “You got a lotta nerve to say you are my friend” delivering a sharp rebuke.

The song’s venomous tone has fueled speculation about its target. Some, as noted in discussions on SongMeanings, believe it was directed at Phil Ochs, a fellow folk singer with whom Dylan had a falling out. A legendary story recounts Dylan playing the song for Ochs in a limo in 1965, only to eject him after Ochs critiqued it, shouting, “You’re not a folksinger—you’re a journalist!” Others, including comments on Reddit, propose it could be about Pete Seeger, whose initials match the song’s and who famously clashed with Dylan over his electric performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Despite the speculation, Dylan has never confirmed the song’s subject, adding to its mystique. Joni Mitchell cited it as a pivotal influence, stating in interviews that it showed her “you can write about anything in songs,” a revelation that shaped her songwriting career.

Covers of "Positively 4th Street" abound, showcasing its enduring appeal. The punk band X released a version in 1987, while artists like Lucinda Williams, Violent Femmes, and Bryan Ferry have also tackled it, as noted on Wikipedia. Interestingly, 17,000 early copies of the single were mispressed with an outtake of “Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?” on the A-side, making those records a collector’s item. Fans on Reddit praise its “scorching” final lines, particularly “I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes / You’d know what a drag it is to see you,” calling it one of Dylan’s best lyrical roasts. Critic Dave Marsh described it as an “icy hipster bitch session,” highlighting Dylan’s razor-sharp delivery.

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, began his musical journey in the late 1950s. Raised in Hibbing, Minnesota, he was influenced by the region’s working-class culture and early rock ’n’ roll, as well as folk and blues artists like Woody Guthrie. As a teenager, he played in local bands, experimenting with piano and guitar. After enrolling at the University of Minnesota in 1959, Dylan immersed himself in the Minneapolis folk scene, adopting his stage name and swapping his electric guitar for an acoustic one. By 1961, he moved to New York City’s Greenwich Village, where he performed in coffeehouses and caught the attention of Columbia Records, leading to his 1962 debut album, Bob Dylan. His early protest songs, like “Blowin’ in the Wind,” established him as a voice of the 1960s counterculture, though he later defied expectations by embracing electric rock.

You can stay updated on Dylan’s work through his official website, which details his tours, releases, and projects like The 1974 Live Recordings. His Facebook page shares news and archival content, while his Instagram offers glimpses into his performances and art. On X, Dylan’s account posts updates about his music and occasional cryptic musings. Fans connect on platforms like the Expecting Rain fan site, a hub for Dylan news and discussions, and the Bob Dylan Fans Facebook group, where enthusiasts share memorabilia and concert experiences. The r/bobdylan subreddit is another vibrant space for fans to debate songs like “Positively 4th Street” and celebrate Dylan’s legacy.