"Lyrical Influence"

My response to "If You Need Inspiration..." group's forum prompt, "What musical lyrics influence me".

 

My favorite “put down” song of all time, please read it first and then I’ll explain.

 

“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

Then you'd know what a

drag it is to see you

 

In no uncertain terms, do we understand how much Bob despises the subject in this song. He does it so effectively, without ever resorting to the use of profanity (something that runs rampant in today’s music). Over the years, since 1965, there has been much speculation as to whom Bob was speaking, but as far as I’ve been able to research, there is no definite person. Some think that Bob Dylan might have been slamming the critics who condemned him for “selling out” and going commercial. Some think that Bob was actually singing about himself. 

While it might be interesting to know who he’s slamming it’s not as important as the content, I’m still convinced this is one of the best pieces of American lyrical history. Anyone who reads any of my writing can see I enjoy a good put-down. Listening to Bob’s lyrics makes me easily envision the object of my disdain and disgust. It’s like a big, fat slap in the face of an adversary. Take that, adversary!

Reviews

[KristaK]

That's an amazing song. It's good to hear that others are inspired and effected like I am through music. Great job with this writing prompt. Keep writing, and listening to music.

~Unknown Author

[Lovesleftovers]

Okay...so this isn't a "story", but I didn't have any other classification choices. I wrote this in response to a group forum post (If You Need Inspiration...) and wanted to share which lyrics and artists have influenced me and my writing. In my opinion, Bob Dylan is the ultimate lyricist of all time and "Positively 4th Street" is one of his greatest works.