Incident on 57th Street
Bruce Springsteen
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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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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."
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Release DateReleased in 1973, the song has since been regarded as one of Springsteen's early masterpieces.
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SongwritingThe song showcases Springsteen as a storyteller, adopting a narrative approach in his songwriting, which became a signature element of his later works.
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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."
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Song StructureUnusually akin to a short story or a movie, the song unfolds over nearly eight minutes, displaying Springsteen's knack for longer, narrative structured songs.
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Not Regularly PerformedDespite 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.
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Song ThemeThe 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.
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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.
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Live PerformancesWhen 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.
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Piano IntroductionThe 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.
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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.
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Fans’ OpinionMany dedicated Springsteen fans regard "Incident on 57th Street" as one of his most beautiful and underestimated songs.
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SongwriterThe 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.
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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.
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GenreThis song is often categorized under the rock genre. However, it also contains elements of jazz and blues, reflecting Springsteen's diverse musical influences.
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StorylineThe song tells a romantic narrative about the characters "Spanish Johnny" and "Puerto Rican Jane," set against the backdrop of New York City.
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Live PerformancesFrequently, Springsteen used to perform "Incident on 57th Street" as a solo piano version live. This arrangement emphasized the song's emotional and narrative power.
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InfluenceIt'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".
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CompositionThe song is over seven minutes long, showcasing an early example of Springsteen's ability to craft extended narrative songs.
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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.
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RevivalThe song was not performed live for many years until it was revived in the 2000s during Springsteen's concert tours.
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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.
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Use of PianoThe 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.
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Lyrical ImagerySpringsteen'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.
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Transitional SongMany 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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Citation
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"Incident on 57th Street Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/170539/Bruce+Springsteen/Incident+on+57th+Street>.
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