Positively 4th Street
Stereophonics Lyrics
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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 hand to lend
You just wanna be
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
Think I'd make contact?
With the one who tries to hide
What he don't know to begin with
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
The song Positively 4th Street by Stereophonics is a cover version of the original Bob Dylan song from 1965. The lyrics deal with betrayal and disappointment in a friend who claims to be supportive but in reality, only wants to be associated with those who are successful. The opening lyrics, "You got a lotta nerve, to say you are my friend, when I was down, you just stood there grinning," make it clear that the singer's friend failed to help when they were struggling.
The friend claims to have a hand to lend, but the singer sees through their facade and understands that they only want to be associated with those who are winning. The singer also confronts the friend's claims of being hurt by the singer's actions and reminds them that they never had faith in the first place.
The irony of the song is that the friend is still trying to hide their lack of knowledge, while also talking behind the singer's back. The singer calls them out for their insincerity and wishes that they could just stand in their shoes for one moment to understand the disappointment and frustration the singer feels toward them.
Overall, the song shows the raw emotion and betrayal that can come with friendships, especially when one person feels like they are being used for personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a lotta nerve
It surprises me that you have the audacity
To say you are my friend
To claim our association as friends
When I was down
During the time I was struggling
You just stood there grinning
Your reaction was to enjoy my difficulties
You got a lotta nerve
It is outrageous that you
To say you got a hand to lend
Act as if you have something to offer
You just wanna be
Your intentions are simply to become
On the side that's winning
A part of the group that is currently successful
You say I let you down
You claim to be disappointed by my actions
You know it's not like that
However, that is not the reality of the situation
If you're so hurt
If you truly feel pained
Why then don't you show it?
Why do you not display this hurt?
You say you lost your faith
You assert that you no longer believe
But that's not where it's at
However, the issue is not really related to that
You had no faith to lose
In fact, you never truly believed in the first place
And you know it
You are aware of this truth
I know the reason
I am aware of the motive
That you talk behind my back
For why you gossip about me behind my back
I used to be among the crowd
I used to be in the same social circle as you
You're in with
The group you currently associate with
Do you take me for such a fool
Are you under the impression that I am so foolish
Think I'd make contact?
That I would reach out to you?
With the one who tries to hide
With someone who attempts to conceal
What he don't know to begin with
Something that they were unaware of to start
I wish that for just one time
It is my desire that on a single occasion
You could stand inside my shoes
You would have the opportunity to experience my perspective
And just for that one moment
Even if it is only for a brief moment
I could be you
I could inhabit your position
Yes, I wish that for just one time
Truly, I desire only once
You could stand inside my shoes
You could view the world from my point of view
You'd know what a drag it is
You would become aware of how tiring it is
To see you
To encounter someone like you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kelly Jones, Richard Mark Jones, Stuart Cable
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve
not usually a fan of covers, especially of the epic dylan. but kelly does a really good job here to be fair.
pricepaul
I love love love love Stereophonics covers. They never let you down
Dr W
Don't let me down
diane gadsby
IM NOT USUALLY A FAN OF COVERS EITHER BUT OUR 'BOB' SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS
Cat Tarbell
Givin' a whole new generation some Dylan, I love it! Love you guys!
Issy Jas
Terrific cover of a genius piece of songwriting
Lyndsey Cohen
I'd like this played at my funeral so all my two-faced
pretend friends will get a shock ! Lol.
woven cleric
You're my kind of people!
Unjay Markiewicz
I love the completely amazing photos you’ve chosen for this! Nice vocal too, but doesn’t beat Dylan’s
Christian Bjerregaard
Great song and great cover like so many other Kelly Jones/Stereophonic's covers.