I love today’s prompt for Song Lyric Sunday . As soon as I saw it was “Street” the first song that jumped into my mind was Positively 4th Street, by Bob Dylan. He recorded it on July 29, 1965.
Dylan wrote great poetry and this song represents some of his best. The last four lines are my favorites:
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
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment I could be you
Let’s celebrate our own 2017 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature with Positively 4th Street.
LYRICS
Positively 4th Street by Bob Dylan
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’
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
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?
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
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?
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
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
Poetry For Healing 
Great minds think alike, although I didn’t mind listening to this one again. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Great choice for this prompt. My understanding is that he wrote this song in response to some harsh criticism he received from folk music purists when he went electric in his music. I really enjoy this song. Thanks for posting it.
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I didn’t remember that but you are correct I see. I thought it was because of a break up. 😊
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Great choice! Didn’t know today is the 53rd anniversary of the recording date. It seems to me, too, that it’s about a breakup. Isn’t variety of interpretation one mark of well-written poetry?
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Yes what a coincidence that was! I had no idea either 😊
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It had to be chosen. I’m glad it was!
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Yes, for sure! My favorite
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