Positively 4th Street - Cover Versions

Cover Versions

Johnny Rivers was probably the first to cover this song, using it as the closing track on his Realization album in 1968. Dylan said in his best selling book Chronicles: Volume One that he preferred Johnny Rivers' version of "Positively 4th Street" to his own recording of the song. "Positively 4th Street" was also covered by The Beatles during the Let It Be recording sessions but their version has never been officially released.

In 1970, The Byrds included a live version of the song, recorded at the Felt Forum, on their (Untitled) album. The Jerry Garcia Band have also covered the song in their live shows and a live recording appears on The Very Best of Jerry Garcia compilation album. The punk band X released a version of "Positively 4th Street" on their "4th of July" single in 1987. ANTiSEEN also covered this song on their 1989 LP, Noise for the Sake of Noise.

Other musicians and bands that have covered the song, include Lucinda Williams, on the live compilation album In Their Own Words, Vol. 1, Charly García on his 1995 album Estaba en llamas Cuando me Acosté, the Stereophonics on their 1999 EP, Pick a Part That's New, the Violent Femmes on their 2000 album, Freak Magnet, and Simply Red on their 2003 album, Home.

Larry Norman released a version of "Positively 4th Street" (with slightly altered lyrics) on the 2003 album Rock, Scissors et Papier and Bryan Ferry has covered the song on his 2007 album, Dylanesque. A recording of the song by Steve Wynn appeared on the 2009 album, Steve Sings Bob.