Promised Land

Bruce Springsteen

About Promised Land

"The Promised Land" is a song by Bruce Springsteen from his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. It was released as a single in Europe, backed by another song from Darkness on the Edge of Town, "Streets of Fire", the third single from the album after "Badlands" and "Prove It All Night". "The Promised Land" was also included on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen. The song has been a staple of Springsteen's live shows since 1978, and has been included on several concert albums and videos. The live album Live/1975–85 includes a 1985 performance of "The Promised Land" from a concert in Los Angeles, California. A performance of the song from a 2003 concert in Barcelona is included on the Live in Barcelona video. A June 28, 2009 live performance in London from the Working on a Dream Tour was included on the London Calling: Live in Hyde Park DVD. The box set The Promise contains video of three live performances of "The Promised Land", a 2009 performance from the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey, without an audience, a 1978 performance from a concert in Phoenix, Arizona, and another 1978 performance from a concert in Houston, Texas. Darren Hanlon covered "The Promised Land" on Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool. Eddie Vedder has also covered this song live. 


Year:
1993
4:10
298 
#3

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On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving 'cross the Waynesboro county line
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

I've done my best to live the right way
I get up every morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
Explode and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Find somebody itching for something to start

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could wrench one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

The dogs on Main Street howl
'Cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land

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Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock, poetic lyrics, Americana sentiments centered on his native New Jersey and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running up to an uninterrupted 250 minutes in length. more »

22 fans

Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Songwriter
"Promised Land" was written by Bruce Springsteen, an icon of American rock music, known for his meaningful lyrics and energetic performances.
Album Information
"Promised Land" is featured on the album "Darkness on the Edge of Town", released in 1978. This was Springsteen's fourth studio album.
Track Location
It was track number 5 on the album and has a length of approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds.
Inspirational Background
Springsteen was inspired by the 1962 book "Journey to the Promised Land", a photo essay about migrant farmworkers in the U.S.
Lyric Theme
The lyrics of "Promised Land" speak about the struggles and hopes of regular blue-collar American workers, a common theme in Springsteen's work.
Recording
It was recorded at Atlantic Studios and The Record Plant, both located in New York City.
Critical Reception
The song was lauded by critics for its optimism amidst the overall darker mood of the album.
Signature Live Performance
Springsteen often performs "Promised Land" live and includes acoustic versions of the song in his shows. The song's live performances have happened globally and it is esteemed by fans worldwide.
Classic American Literature Influence
The song was heavily influenced by John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath", which told the story of American migrants during the Great Depression.
Musical Style
Musically, "Promised Land" features Springsteen's well-known heartland rock sound, blending elements of rock, folk and country music.
Awards & Acknowledgement
Although "Promised Land" didn't win major awards, it is considered by many as one of Springsteen's greatest compositions.
Radio Performance
The song was not released as a single, but it regularly gets airplay on classic rock and album-oriented rock radio stations.
Soundtrack Features
"Promised Land" has been featured in several film and television soundtracks, further cementing its status as a classic song.
Cover Versions
A number of artists have covered "Promised Land", including country singer Emmylou Harris and rock band The Band Perry.
American cultural influence
"Promised Land" is steeped in American iconography and has been deemed a quintessential Springsteen song, chronicling the struggles, hopes, and dreams of the American working class.

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