Positively 4th Street
“Positively 4th Street” is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was released as a stand-alone single by Columbia Records in September 1965, following the commercial success of his singles Like a Rolling Stone and Subterranean Homesick Blues. The song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
Although not included on a Dylan studio album at the time, it was later featured on several compilations, including Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits (1967). The track is widely regarded as one of Dylan’s most scathing songs, notable for its biting lyrics directed at individuals in the Greenwich Village folk scene and for capturing the turbulence of mid-1960s American culture.
Historical context
The song was recorded in New York City on July 29, 1965, during the same sessions that produced Highway 61 Revisited. The mid-1960s marked a turning point in Dylan’s career, as he shifted away from acoustic folk music toward a more electric rock sound, a move that polarized fans and critics alike.
The title Positively 4th Street likely refers to West 4th Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, a hub of the folk music revival in which Dylan had played a central role earlier in the decade. By 1965, however, Dylan had grown increasingly alienated from aspects of the folk community, particularly its rigid expectations of artistic authenticity and its resistance to his embrace of electric instrumentation.
This tension coincided with a period of broader social upheaval in the United States. The civil rights movement, protests against the Vietnam War, and generational clashes over culture and politics provided a backdrop against which Dylan’s music resonated as both a personal and cultural commentary.
Lyrics and themes
Unlike many pop singles of the era, Positively 4th Street contains no chorus and no refrain. Instead, the verses unfold as a series of sharp accusations, each line more cutting than the last. The song opens with:
“You’ve got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend…”
From its first line, the song establishes itself as an indictment of hypocrisy, false friendship, and betrayal. The narrator’s voice is accusatory and sardonic, contrasting with the upbeat organ-driven accompaniment.
Critics have long debated the identity of Dylan’s target. Some interpret the lyrics as directed at former associates in the Greenwich Village folk scene, who resented Dylan’s move to electric music. Others see it as a more generalized denunciation of insincere acquaintances, making the song broadly relatable.
The use of the second person “you” creates a confrontational intimacy, inviting listeners to imagine themselves either as the accused or as sympathetic observers. The song exemplifies Dylan’s ability to combine personal grievance with universal themes of alienation and disillusionment.
Recording and release
The recording session for Positively 4th Street featured musicians who also worked on Highway 61 Revisited, including Mike Bloomfield (guitar), Al Kooper (organ), Harvey Brooks (bass), and Bobby Gregg (drums). Kooper’s distinctive organ riff became a defining feature of the track.
Columbia Records released the single on September 7, 1965, with From a Buick 6 as the B-side. It entered the U.S. Billboard charts within weeks, peaking at number 7. In the UK, it reached number 8. Despite its chart success, the song was not included on Dylan’s albums of the time. Its first album appearance came with Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits in 1967.
Reception
Upon release, the song was both praised and criticized for its harshness. Many listeners admired Dylan’s uncompromising honesty, while others found the tone unnecessarily cruel. Music critic Dave Marsh later called it “the most vitriolic song ever sung,” while Rolling Stone ranked it among Dylan’s greatest works.
The song’s fusion of pop single format with deeply confrontational lyrics was unusual for its time, setting a precedent for later singer-songwriters who blended personal expression with mass-market appeal.
Legacy
Positively 4th Street has endured as one of Dylan’s most memorable and influential tracks. Its legacy can be considered in several dimensions:
Cultural significance
The song epitomized Dylan’s break from the folk revival community and symbolized broader tensions of the 1960s: authenticity vs. commercialism, tradition vs. change, and personal integrity vs. social expectations.
Influence on songwriting
The track’s confessional and confrontational style influenced generations of artists, from Joni Mitchell to Elvis Costello, who used popular song as a vehicle for sharp personal critique.
Continued relevance
The song’s theme of betrayal and disillusionment remains timeless, allowing listeners to interpret it through their own experiences. Its lack of specific references ensures its longevity as a cultural artifact.
Cover versions
Numerous artists have covered Positively 4th Street, including Johnny Rivers, Lucinda Williams, Steve Forbert, and Jerry Garcia. These renditions vary in style, underscoring the song’s adaptability across genres.