Whis song was it anyway?

I wrote about Dylan being the motivation behind John's Jesus statement, which brought on a lot of chaos and an end to touring. It's safe to say that this might have been a factor in the eventual breakup of the band. Not to put all that on Bob Dylan, poor fellow, he was mostly an unaware partner to the chasm.

I also wrote that John felt betrayed by the song "4th Time Around" which he assumed was a response to "Norwegian Wood". It makes sense that John would feel slighted, perhaps taking on guilt of being a well-known Romeo--was Maureen Cleeve part of that guilt? Did they both have an affair with her, or vice versa? She could be the reason for all of this. We're getting deep now . . .

John's statement was a huge event in the 1960s, so it does seem kind of necessary to break down the barriers of why he said it. Dylan, Maureen Cleave and two songs. Yes. Two. Because after writing the blog yesterday I realized I'd stated "Positively 4th Street" in the book. Total moment of head smacking and embarrassment. I'd have to fix the manuscript and reload it to kindle, etc. But then I felt strongly not to do that.

Let's listen to the song:

Now, let's look at the lyrics:

Positively 4th Street

Bob Dylan

You got a lotta nerve To say you are my friend When I was down You just stood there grinning

You got a lotta nerve To say you got a helping hand to lend You just want to be on The side that's winning

You say I let you down You know it's not like that If you're so hurt Why then don't you show it?

You say you lost your faith But that's not where it's at You had no faith to lose And you know it

I know the reason That you talk 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 you 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 now I know you're dissatisfied With your position and your place Don't you understand It's 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.

I underlined the most important, telling section:

You say you lost your faith But that's not where it's at You had no faith to lose And you know it

That's him addressing John. And John addressed him with his Jesus statement. It's circular and could on forever. These two were high rivals (no joke intended) but so very similar and great, great pivots to each other's creativity. I was right to say "Positively 4th Street" was the song that spurred John on to make his controversial statement and consider it an unintentional happy accident. Fact is, it's staying in the book. I think John was too sensitive to speak of the song, and it was much easier to address the more lightweight "4th Time Around." Being a Romeo, he could handle. Being a traitor to a friend, much worse.

Many will say Dylan wrote the song about Edie Sedgewick, Warhol's factory 'it' girl. Indeed, Bob and Edie did have a brief, ill-fated affair. But go back to lyrics. In "Positively 4th Street" he's not talking about love, he's talking of being betrayed by a friend. He's talking to a man about failure, being crippled inside (aha!), and faith--or lack of. Not love.

I stand uncorrected.

If you want to read more about Bob as seen through John's unique voice perspective, read Nothing to Get Hung About.

Peace.