Joan Baez ~ Love is Just a Four Letter Word (1968)

[@ABritInThePhilippines]

Songs don't come much better than this one...

[@georgiosa.613]

I listened it for the first time 42 years ago as a student in the Univercity. Even now hearing it, I feel the same pleasure! Great lyrics, fabulous performance!....

[@marsharupe8112]

Probably my favorite Joan Baez song. It's amazing that Dylan wrote it, never recorded it and couldn't remember he wrote it when he heard Joan's version.

[@musiccollector]

Wow...radio lapped this one up in 1969. Pure genius! A masterpiece. I turn it up LOUD! Released April 12, 1969 reaching 96 (a disgrace - should have been #1!) on May 10.

[@SportsGuruTV]

I love the story about Bob saying "Hey, I really like that song" to Joan as she played it one day, and she replied with "Well, you wrote it you dope!"

[@DeeckyRizzo]

Haha, yeah, from the film "Don't look back". I loved that part too! (And i think that acoustic version she was singing in the hotel room was so powerful).

[@elamite66]

beautiful song and Joan looks beautiful too She had it all intelligence, talent, looks, well educated a fine moral compass and what more could anyone want?

[@1955chevy210sedan]

I love her as an entertainer, however, she is about as far to the left as humanly possible. NOT good for the country.

[@elamite66]

JB Siamese she's not a politician and she could be much further to the left too like Uncle Joe for an example Maybe you're too far to the right and that's no good for the country and that's for God Damned sure! I fought in Nam against my better judgement and I feel I have the right to have any political views I fuckin' want! This is not yet a total dictatorship and I'd still fight to stop the rot from the right and the loss of our civil rights. "War on drugs"? what it means is a war on people! Maybe if we stopped backing the Christian Fundamentalists and their Zionist allies we never would have had 9-11 Israel is not the 51st state and the $3,000,000,000.00 a year we give them with no strings attached is a disgrace to my "land of the free and the home of the brave" Maybe Iran would not be building a nuclear arsenal if Israel did not already have one. There is barely a word said about Israel's nuclear weapons and the lame excuse that they didn't sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty is not the reason Do you think it would make a difference if Iran had not signed it? Of course not! The gap between rich and poor shrank for almost a century until Reagan restructured the tax system He promised no loopholes for the wealthy but that is obviously bullshit. Under Ike the highest bracket paid 90% now the highest bracket pays 38% and is much lower. Why should some family making $450,000.00 pay the same rate as someone making $5,000,000,000,00 Let's go back to the tax system as it was under Ike, don't believe me? try looking it up!

[@1955chevy210sedan]

When someone uses the Lord's name in vain, I lose all respect, whether you went to Nam, or not. Did you "fight", or did you have a regular job while there? If you will read my statement, you will not see that I tried to restrict your "right" to anything. I simply made a statement about HER, not you. BTW, it was HER and people like her that spit in YOUR direction and called you "baby killer". Pull your head out of your ass and lose the anger. Otherwise, my guess is that you are a liar. You sound more like a coward than a warrior.

[@chrishannon8187]

Music has the power to heal..this heals me . beautiful

[@blackbeasthamish]

Sounds just as good now as it did over 40 years ago. Great music will always stand the test of time.

[@elianepastorello4658]

singing with heart and truth, no glamour, no narcissism. That's pure beauty, ever!

[@kat94p25]

Stumbled into Joan Baez while listening to Bob Dylan. Love this song

[@strawberryseason]

This is the song of hers that I can listen to over and over. That combo of Dylan writing and Joan's singing -- a winning combo!

[@dylanfan2784]

So beautiful, the Song and the Woman....

[@veranami]

Thanks for that Paul. Not many retain their voices. Joan was 74 yesterday. Leonard Cohen holds his existential remarkably well for 80. I am the proud owner of a vinyl of that double album and treasure it. Maybe my kids will sell it after I go.

[@ghtsw11]

I have only now found this magnificent song. Now I keep playing it - reminiscent of "It's all over now, baby blue" at times, which, of course, is no bad thang.

[@segarraraul4975]

My mom worked at vanguard records in the 70s she would bring all her albums home.great memories when i was a teen.great song

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Yeah i also really like this singer, she has got to be one of the greatest folk singers ever, and she is still as good today as she was back in the 60's, thanks very much for your comment...

[@curtdeatherage4808]

what a beautiful song, her voice was at it's best at this time ...

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@MusiqueMaestro1 Thanks Mick,i do like this singer and i don't think i have ever heard her sing a bad song,she's a fantastic guitar player as well,cheers Mick,hope your having a nice evening. Carl

[@IvoryDream]

I listened to the album, "Any Day Now," over and over. I never got tired of it. I am so glad I found these songs again.

[@sfoebel]

Awesome voice and haunting lyrics.

[@Carmela-el7fi]

Joan baez says she finished this song after bob dylan in most creative song writing trance abandoned this amazing song. Joan baez brought the song to life with her amazing vocals ❤love this song. What amazing lyrics ❤drifting in and out of lifetimes , unmentionabe by name, both joan baez and bob dylan are brilliant songwriters. Joan completed this amazing song❤

[@jimdetwilersdogvideos1352]

She did not claim a co-writer credit, and recorded it in Nashville (hence the country vibe) without telling Dylan what she was up to. When she tried to surprise him by playing a test pressing, she claims he couldn't remember writing it and thought she was kidding. She had to take it off the turntable and make him read his name on the label before he believed her. She performed it often in concert, and it became a fan favorite, yet remains the only Dylan song released by another artist that he never recorded. Maybe because it's terribly bitter and self-pitying, even for Dylan.

[@Carmela-el7fi]

@@jimdetwilersdogvideos1352 it's a song with a theory or understanding about humanlove that it is entirely different from spiritual love. Human love is like water coming out of a faucet, it's cold or hot or can just turn it off, where as spiritual love isn't a four letter word.

[@Kirkunik1]

This was the backdrop to my life. I sung these songs and cut my musical teeth on these wonderful folk songs. Joan sang many of the old art songs. Songs that any singer would know who studied. These are gems would get lost in today's got to have it now and as sexy and weird as possible world. But, that may be changing. Dimash Kudaibergen.....he is opening minds.

[@countryalexander7175]

Apart from her voice I like the electric sitar. Very good arrangement!

[@stobbinsboy]

I thought i couldn't be stirred by any music anymore. I was wrong. Farewell Angelina is another emotional juggernaut.

[@CarolinaMarchesano]

SUCH A GOOD VOICE!! AMAZING!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!! LOVELY MEMORY!

[@jimjackson7878]

God sent us this beautiful woman with a voice of angel.

[@handsomepackage7004]

This song reminds me of a bar I used to hangout in 69'. This song was in the juke box. This song and "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town". Memorable moments of my youth.

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

You described this one so well Susan, many thanks for stopping by...

[@gpsgeo99]

I love this song!

[@Kingkilla974]

I had to check the dates! Dylan's John Wesley Harding album was also recorded in Nashville with the same musicians-as Bob was a trendsetter in music, Joan followed along-JWH was released in Dec '67

[@paulb47NYC]

One of the things probably LEAST understood about the BAEZ voice, in her prime, was NOT the "achingly pure soprano" which is immediately obvious but the LOW register Joan also had at her bidding. The low notes on this tune, are RESONATE and sung with full force. She had both the highs and lows well covered with a vocal instruments that could only be described as "extraordinary".

[@veranami]

I think that Joan's voice got better as it matured.Early 60's was squeaky but about the time of this superb album :Songs of Bod Dylan" she was at the very top of her singing

[@paulb47NYC]

veranami You know I've read (maybe one of her own books--Daybreak or whatever) that when she recorded the double white dylan album she and he were kind of holed up and surrounding by all incredible songs. She'd just pick one up off the floor and the vocals were just done in a take or two. She was totally on top of her "instrument" and I believe of Dylan's better intentions on most of those tunes. "Boots of Spanish Leather" is another tonsil tickler--try singing it sometime. She's not today. Her voice is a shadow of it's former self. I KNOW! I get lynched every time I make that observation. I grew up with Baez and she literally taught me how to sing. I always assumed that her incredible "VOICE" was absolutely essential to her as a performer--but it's NOT. It's her desire to communicate and to say the things she feels need to be said that has turned out to be THE driving force behind this Artist. Even without the truly remarkable instrument that WAS the BAEZ voice, she carries on and she still has "a Voice to Sing With"--close to the title of her second "autobiography".

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

"seriously" he could not remember he wrote it lol, "wow" maybe he was on something at the time? (smile) this is a great song and one Joan sings so well, thanks very much for the info... Carl

[@balmoral2472]

That's why we praise our parents.

[@furnacego2164]

Hmm? I'm trying to figure out the meaning of the lyrics

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Yeah i know what you mean, i think a lot of people don't know the meaning of the word Love, but there is some out there as i have found myself...

[@pferdeklauerin]

she is so beautiful without make-up. i miss this times of deepness...:-((

[@lisacalantini]

Beautiful song and video Carl,i hope you are well this evening...Lisa

[@zacharykelway]

Dylan wrote and did so many great songs but it seems like someone always takes one of his songs and does it a little better than he did.

[@dylanthompson8511]

Er, kinda unfair seeing as he has never released his version. And that sitar is atrocious, Im sorry.

[@johnnyjohnson1370]

those ships run through my mind,I cannot cheat,,,,,mercy mercy,,,the essence of love and poetry in one song

[@colinnixon7885]

Dylan wrote this song stoned of his face and when she sang it to him he said that's a good song who wrote it .She said you did Bob

[@greypilgrim2028]

Sounds right.

[@musiccollector]

LOL. ROTFL.

[@wilsonking1617]

Imagine being such a great songwriter to write a song like this and not even remember it...

[@davidirwin8219]

What a voice!!!!!!!!

[@RosalindRowe]

Great song

[@andreazimmerman9759]

what a voice, forever beautiful!!!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Me too, thanks for stopping by...

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@YCSMusic2 yeah so do i,but i think Mr Dylan is a fantastic writer and i think i have nearly all of his songs now, but you cant get them uploaded,thanks for coming back for another view Steve. Carl

[@denisegregory1954]

Lovely song.

[@whiskey6actual]

great pics -thanks

[@NACHYDELAGLORIA]

que pedazo de tema que es éste por Dios!!!... UNA LOCURAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[@ThatDeadedPossum]

Joan Baez went to my high school. Fuck yeah!

[@4711StGermain]

superb

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Some girls do have that natural beauty and Joan sure is one of them...

[@crimsonraven1]

Georgeous woman n the best female singer imo

[@mikemadden2729]

Reminds me of Someday Soon by Judy Collins. I had both singles back in 1969.

[@musiccollector]

Released on April 12, 1969, reaching # 86 on May 10.

[@mikemadden629]

Someday Soon is really good!

[@markrichards6863]

Someday Soon was written by Ian Tyson, and Love Is Just A Four Letter Word by Dylan. Both are great songs. Both singers are amazing too, hard to say which is better. All I know is music was just better back then. At least new talent got heard, and the music wasn't so altered after it was recorded. Joan Baez sounded like Joan Baez and no one else, whether she was in concert or recorded. She's a great singer and a highly under appreciated guitar player.

[@tammyfarmer2219]

The feeling of hurt is a death that is slowly consuming of the soul?Joan was crazy about Bob Dylan?I remember a concert she performed,and the pain was so awful it eat her very being?When the audience requested the song it was all she could perform it?This is the very core of us as humans,it takes without giving any return.

[@fernandosantos1267]

so so beautiful. i'm in love with this woman. the 1st song i ear from you is a version of "diamonds & rust", playing by Judas Priest!!

[@mikemadden629]

That's a good version!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Yeah great song this one, good lyrics.. Carl

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Perfect description, thanks for your comment...

[@johannmarlowe]

I remember the word "rectify" showing up in the Beatles's "Think for Yourself"--and here we have the word "averred." The vocabulary of pop lyrics has changed a bit.

[@astridmonteleon8953]

He didn't even remember he wrote it, when he first heard the recording of Joan... On "no direction home" there is a scene of Joan singing the unfinished song while with Dylan, he does not look as if he was clenching his teeth. Now thats true genius, writing a song like that at 24 without thinking much about it!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Yep, love folk rock, folk pop, celtic, and most acoustic music....

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@jamesbritton1 Hey your very welcome,and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment for this video,it's very much appreciated,you have a nice evening. Carl

[@jamesmonahanmusic]

JOAN IS JUST A FOUR LETTER NAME .❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

He sure is a good songwriter and i have most of the songs he recorded, it's a shame i can't upload a few because there is too much copyright on his music, and i could get shut down...Cheers Max...

[@VideoDexterity]

Her best!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

Hey well said, she is just great ain't she...

[@Kingkilla974]

The steel guitar is more than a "slight" country sound! The lead guitar seems to be reaching for the "sitar sound" that was in vogue at the time ... done so cheesily in those days by beatles & rolling stones imitators. I thought that gave a "cheesy" feel to this the first few times I heard it, but-it works!

[@altareggo9520]

I beg your pardon?? Harrison and Brian Jones were both first-rate musicians and they played the sitar quite well!! (actually, Jones learned from Harrison: they were good friends)... NOT "cheesy" at all.

[@Kingkilla974]

Altareggo: can you read? "Done so cheesily in those days by beatles and rolling stones IMITATORS." Get it? I did not besmirch George, Brian, nor their Sitar skills! I beg your pardon!

[@Kingkilla974]

Altareggo: can you read? "Done so cheesily in those days by beatles and rolling stones IMITATORS." Get it? I did not besmirch George, Brian, nor their Sitar skills! I beg your pardon!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@BluzJack Cheers Rene,i hope you had a good weekend. Carl

[@rtcastleberry]

I believe she cut the song in Nashville with many of the same players that worked on Dylan's Blonde on Blonde album.

[@ienepien100]

her voice....heaven

[@rustycalvera977]

Dylan could sure write em

[@marcosmza1962]

Love this woman

[@alfredochanampa1756]

Mi 💕 por tiiiii presiosaaaa!!!!

[@mikemadden2729]

Carl's Folk Club - Folk & bluegrass are both country, more or less. I keep prog & punk in the same stack. Same with jazz & new age. Only room for so many stacks. My mixdiscs have all these. Sounds cool tripping.

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@YCSMusic2 Cheers Steve,you were well quick tonight mate,i wont get many comments here anyway,i never do on this channel lol,hope your keeping well Steve and many thanks for taking the time to comment. Carl

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

sure is, i love this song by Joan.. Carl

[@paulsmith5430]

Great acoustic guality.

[@lucijabalikic2289]

Very comforting.

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@UrMsSandy69 hmm,good question Sandy lol,but i think love is a lot more than just a four letter word,if it's the real thing that is.Thanks so much for taking the time to comment,you have a nice evening. Carl

[@jormatevajarvi4190]

Maestro🎩 Bob Dylan✨ did IT.🖌️.Anothers did IT too🧡 🆒 🆙🔝Joan 🥇Baez ✨YOU'RE THE BEST, PEACE & LOVE..AND THEY DID THAT!!

[@taxfreedollars]

I'm rarely a fan of covers of other peoples songs, they just never seem to live up to the original. That being said, "Love is just a four letter word" and "Sad eyed lady of the lowlands" by Joan are exceptions another exception is "Hurt" by Johnny Cash.

[@ismajubueno]

Cacete Que voz!

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@shandy3791 yeah that always sounds good Yvonne,but when i go to bed i just can't sleep,i nearly got up and watched a film last night lol,i wish i was a sleepy head like you,maybe in time when my life is not quite so hectic i will sleep better,hmm not too long now before things start to change i hope. xxx

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@lisacalantini Thanks Lisa,yeah i'm real good tonight thanks and hope your ok too,i'm off to bed in a minute as i'm very tired tonight,thanks for watching. Carl

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@GoldenMoonraker007 Hi Alan,i am listening to the Arsenal match on the radio at the moment,hmm it's not looking too good is it mate,but your right good music helps take your mind of the bad footie lol,catch ya later Alan and thanks for your comment. Carl

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@Dan5482 Cheers,yeah i think so too,thanks for stopping by. Carl

[@CARLSFOLKCLUB]

@denisegregory1954 "Yes it is" thanks Denise you have a nice evening, Carl

[@lesleyscott938]

I'm in bliss ❤

[@OneDawkinsFan]

The sitar is like cream on a cup of coffee!

[@Kingkilla974]

Never say never! As he wrote it, I'm sure he "sang" it several times ... because it wasn't on an "officially released" album does not mean he "never sang it"

[@gabrielavalenzuela5470]

2021

[@xmfjfsilva]

Com uma voz destas, quem não gosta?????

[@222Cassie333]

A beautiful song but a lesson that is difficult to learn- some people speak love when there is none-

[@melvinclark2224]

I, for one, did not like Joan Baez and her protest songs, vowing I would never buy any of her records. This song made me eat my words and I bought it shortly after it was released in 1968 and now have about 15 of her albums.

[@mikemadden629]

In other words you were a goofy conservative Republican but Divine Intervention or LSD straightened you out LMAO!!!

[@mikemadden629]

I celebrated my 70th birthday belatedly tripping January 25 2020. Did psilocybe cyanescens mushrooms twice & LSD once this year. I Am (aka "God") dropped by once! The 70 year old brain still works!

[@blackholeentry3489]

@@mikemadden629 I will turn 80 in a few months and can honestly say I have never tried any illegal drug, including marijuana. My ex brother in law grew it in his garage in down town San Jose, CA, back in the 70's. When I first met my 2nd wife, she had a grow room and selling it is how she built and paid for her two story house, although she did not use it herself...as a gardener, she just loved growing it and it made her big bucks. To celebrate my 80th, I'm riding my motorcycle about 1000 miles to check out the UFO museum in Roswell, NM. Six months ago I took an 8K trip through seven western states with it. Have I missed anything?

[@UrMsSandy69]

love is just a four letter word...? what do u think Carl? hmmm:-) i find d song cute...beautiful too! tca, hugs.

[@규상임-x6n]

존바에즈 양거는거의 들었어요!❤❤❤

[@stevoschannel4127]

Always wondered is there a sitar and pedal steel?

[@jameshaner8084]

Both I believe, although musicians/instruments listed have a Dobro not a Sitar.

[@liamodalaigh3201]

the arrangement is stellar ! there’s so much musical magic. and of course there’s Ms Baez

[@Kingkilla974]

The "slight country sound" has to do with the Nashville musicians who backed Joan on this album .. Several of whom backed Bob on Nashville Skyline and the one after-Self Portrait?

[@Dan5482]

"Hey, that's a great song!"

[@bjmacaoidh]

Amen.

[@1955chevy210sedan]

My all-time favorite female socialist vocalist.

[@georgiosa.613]

Gteat hit!