"Love is Just a Four-Letter Word" is a song written by

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...

, first recorded by

Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more ...

, who has recorded and performed the song numerous times throughout her career.

Background

Baez immediately took to the song, which was written by Dylan sometime around 1965, and began performing it, even before it was finished. In the film ''

Dont Look Back '' Look Back'' is a 1967 American documentary film directed by D. A. Pennebaker that covers Bob Dylan's 1965 concert tour in England. In 1998, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of ...

'', a documentary of Dylan's 1965 tour of the UK, Baez is shown in one scene singing a fragment of the then apparently still unfinished song in a hotel room late at night. Pennebaker, D. A., director. ''

''. Docurama, 1967. She then tells Dylan, "If you finish it, I'll sing it on a record". Baez first included the song on '' Any Day Now'', her 1968 album of Dylan covers; she has since recorded it three additional times. Her 1968 recording was also released as a single, reaching #86 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. Baez has also included the song on numerous compilations such as '' The First Ten Years'' and ''Baez Sings Dylan'', as well as on her live album ''

From Every Stage ''From Every Stage'' is a double live album recorded by Joan Baez on tour in the summer of 1975. The first half of the album was acoustic, with Baez accompanying herself on her guitar, while the second half features electric backup. Baez' record ...

''. Dylan never released a version of his song, and, according to his website, he has never performed the song live.

References

1965 songs Songs written by Bob Dylan Bob Dylan songs Joan Baez songs Vanguard Records singles 1968 singles {{folk-song-stub