Incident on 57th Street

Bruce Springsteen

About Incident on 57th Street

"Incident on 57th Street" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen that was first released on his 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. It has been described by critics as a key development in Springsteen's songwriting career.


Year:
1973
7:45
607 
#3

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Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm and a beat-up old Buick but dressed just like dynamite
He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on easy Street
But they said, Johnny, it falls apart so easy, and you know hearts these days are cheap
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a cheater
And the pimps swung their axes and said, Johnny, you're a liar
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Said, Johnny, don't cry
Puerto Rican Jane, oh, won't you tell me, what's your name?
I want to drive you down to the other side of town
Where paradise ain't so crowded and there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All the golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight
Pull thirty-eight's and kiss their girls goodnight

Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe

Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh, she looked so fine
Like a late Juliet, she knew she'd never be true but then, she really didn't mind
Upstairs a band was playin' and the singer was singin' something about going home
She whispered, Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight, but just don't leave me alone
And Johnny cried, Puerto Rican Jane, word is down, the cops have found the vein
Oh, them barefoot boys left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said their homes ain't no good
They left the corners, threw away all of their switchblade knives 
And kissed each other goodbye

Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape, watchin' the kids playin' down the street
He called down, hey little heroes, summer's long, but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat
Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls, then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone

Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says, those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), all they ever want to do is fight
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), they're callin' through the window
Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?

And Johnny whispered, goodnight, it's all tight, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
We may find it out on the street tonight, now, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Oh, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we can find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe

Ah, goodnight, it's alright, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on lover's lane
Oh, we may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may have to walk until the daylight, maybe (goodnight it's alright, Jane)

(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's alright, Jane)

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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


25 facts about this song

Album
"Incident on 57th Street" is a song from Bruce Springsteen's second studio album "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle."
Release Date
Released in 1973, the song has since been regarded as one of Springsteen's early masterpieces.
Songwriting
The song showcases Springsteen as a storyteller, adopting a narrative approach in his songwriting, which became a signature element of his later works.
Song Character
"Incident on 57th Street" introduces the character of Spanish Johnny – a character who reappears in Springsteen's later song "Point Blank" on the album "The River."
Song Structure
Unusually akin to a short story or a movie, the song unfolds over nearly eight minutes, displaying Springsteen's knack for longer, narrative structured songs.
Not Regularly Performed
Despite its critical acclaim among Springsteen fans, "Incident on 57th Street" was not often included in Springsteen’s live performances in the early years of his career.
Song Theme
The song portrays a picture of urban life, clinging to the hopes of freedom and a better future amidst challenges and struggles - a recurring theme in many of Springsteen’s songs.
Critical Acclaim
"Incident on 57th Street" is considered by many critics to display some of the best evidence of Springsteen's skill as a lyricist and his unique ability to tell stories in his music.
Live Performances
When performed live, it is often a segue into "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)", one of Springsteen's most popular live songs, serving as a staple of his live performances.
Piano Introduction
The song famously opens with a delicate piano introduction by David Sancious, a member of the E Street Band, setting the emotive mood for the song's narrative.
Influences
"Incident on 57th Street" is said to be inspired by the West Side Story, as Springsteen mentioned in his memoir of how much West Side Story influenced his songwriting around this period of his career.
Fans’ Opinion
Many dedicated Springsteen fans regard "Incident on 57th Street" as one of his most beautiful and underestimated songs.
Songwriter
The song "Incident on 57th Street" was written by Bruce Springsteen. He is known for his reflective and emotive songwriting style that often draws on personal experiences and features evocative storytelling.
Album
"Incident on 57th Street" is from the album "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle", which was Springsteen's second studio album released in 1973.
Genre
This song is often categorized under the rock genre. However, it also contains elements of jazz and blues, reflecting Springsteen's diverse musical influences.
Storyline
The song tells a romantic narrative about the characters "Spanish Johnny" and "Puerto Rican Jane," set against the backdrop of New York City.
Live Performances
Frequently, Springsteen used to perform "Incident on 57th Street" as a solo piano version live. This arrangement emphasized the song's emotional and narrative power.
Influence
It's often noted that this song hints at the more expansive and grandiose direction Springsteen's music would take in his later works. This includes his breakthrough album, "Born to Run".
Composition
The song is over seven minutes long, showcasing an early example of Springsteen's ability to craft extended narrative songs.
Critical Reception
"Incident on 57th Street" is often highlighted by critics as an early standout in Springsteen's discography for its strong storytelling and musical arrangement.
Revival
The song was not performed live for many years until it was revived in the 2000s during Springsteen's concert tours.
Fan Favorite
"Incident on 57th Street" is considered a cult favorite among many fans of Bruce Springsteen for its vivid storytelling and emotionally resonant composition.
Use of Piano
The piano intro of the song is considered one of the best among all Bruce Springsteen's song and it stands out for Springsteen’s rock and roll anthems.
Lyrical Imagery
Springsteen's use of lyrical imagery in this song looks at themes of hope and despair in the romantic urban narrative, which would become a common thread in his later works.
Transitional Song
Many regard "Incident on 57th Street" as a transitional song in Springsteen's career, marking his shift from straightforward rock towards more complex arrangements and narrative-driven songwriting.

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