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Bruce Springsteen — The Promised Land
Album: Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1315









Released: 1978
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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 wanna' explode
Explode and tear this old 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 take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

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's tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that's break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and broken hearted

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
Comments (125)add comment
Bruuuuuuuuuuuce!!! 
I can't believe this song just gets 6.8. It is Americana at its best. How many of us can identify him/herself with these lirycs? Come on!!
I know I speak  heresy....but I've grew up with Springsteen.

Other than his first three albums are good, the rest is mediocre.  He' puts on great shows. He's a good guy. He's been around forever.   

But if you really listen to his albums, there's not really much there. 
Truly great music, lyrics and songwriting.
 Ok_Sobriquet wrote:


Patti Smith's version? Excuse me? That's her song. She co-wrote it with Bruce Springsteen but "Because the Night" is a Patti Smith song.

What's next, The Beatles version of "Let It Be"? Chuck Berry's version of "Johnny B. Goode"? Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog"?

Okay, that last one is a butchered cover but "Because the Night" = Patti Smith
Lieber and Stoller wrote it specifically for Big Mama. Her version puts EP's sanitized version to shame.
c.

 KeithBrofsky wrote:

I know some people don't get him. I didn't get into ACDC and Bon Jovi. But Bruce is more than just an average rocker. He's America's troubadour... our modern Woody Guthrie. This album came out when I was 20 & I attended the concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver. I gotta tell ya, it was like seeing a rock god performing rock history. Really. I can still remember how intense and passionate the music felt. Everyone came away from that show converted. And he's not disappointed over the years. He's a true artist. Okay. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. (Thx Bill for playing Bruce!)




I stopped reading at "ACDC and Bon Jovi". How did those two bands ever end up in the same sentence? Is ACDC also from New Jersey? Well, I always "got" Bruce. He was always on the radio, so it was hard not to "get" him. But there are only so many anthems about bustin' outta Jersey that a person can process. Bruce is just not the kind of man that I am, that's all. But, yeah, I "get" him.
Almost as many 1s as 10s. Didn't think the Boss was so musically polarizing! 

d-don wrote:

No doubt! Blasphemers.


 MarcsRadio wrote:

Great segue, Bill!

1. Reason to Believe  (B.S. cover by The Beat Farmers)
2. The Promised Land

I wished the next was Patti Smiths's version of Because The Night, but I guess that would be too much Springsteen in a row for some people here...



Patti Smith's version? Excuse me? That's her song. She co-wrote it with Bruce Springsteen but "Because the Night" is a Patti Smith song.

What's next, The Beatles version of "Let It Be"? Chuck Berry's version of "Johnny B. Goode"? Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog"?

Okay, that last one is a cover but "Because the Night" = Patti Smith
Like John Ford, it will be necessary to wait until he is no longer there for American intellectuals to pay homage to his greatness. If he had remained the unfairly overlooked artist of the first two extraordinary albums, everyone would cry genius, but he has grown too popular. In Europe there is no doubt: he is a giant!
I'm always a little surprised--though never disappointed--when this comes up in the Mellow Mix.
 MarcsRadio wrote:

Great segue, Bill!

1. Reason to Believe  (B.S. cover by The Beat Farmers)

2. The Promised Land

I wished the next was Patti Smiths's version of Because The Night, but I guess that would be too much Springsteen in a row for some people here...


A yep.
My upload there. 
 Sasha2001 wrote:




No,everyone in Jersey worships this guy, everyone on Long Island worships Billie Joel, and everyone in New York worships a good parking space.



How's that Promised Land shtick working out in CovidLand?
 
I know some people don't get him. I didn't get into ACDC and Bon Jovi. But Bruce is more than just an average rocker. He's America's troubadour... our modern Woody Guthrie. This album came out when I was 20 & I attended the concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver. I gotta tell ya, it was like seeing a rock god performing rock history. Really. I can still remember how intense and passionate the music felt. Everyone came away from that show converted. And he's not disappointed over the years. He's a true artist. Okay. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. (Thx Bill for playing Bruce!)
Great segue, Bill!

1. Reason to Believe  (B.S. cover by The Beat Farmers)
2. The Promised Land

I wished the next was Patti Smiths's version of Because The Night, but I guess that would be too much Springsteen in a row for some people here...
 d-don wrote:

No doubt! Blasphemers.
 

I'm probably a devil in diguise: 4
 kaybee wrote:

I have to agree Racing in the Streets is my favourite on this album.

On second thought...Racing in the Streets along with Something in the Night.




 
Neither.  Badlands.  But that's just me... I sang it multiple times daily hiking across Maine years ago. I hope the moose and squirrels found it as inspiring as I did. 
Clarence Clemons, god of the sax! Added a wonderful sound to the E-Streeters.
blah blah blah.  dreadfull
r
 amb599 wrote:
Nothing makes me turn off RP more frequently than BS.
 

Boohoo!  Leave it off then.
Nope.
This is my point about the recently played Queen number (which is a good number). This is a much harder song to find on FM radio and every reason to hear it on Radio Paradise. Go Bill!
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Great album but not my favourite track.
Would love to hear Candy's Room or Adam Raised a Cain.

 
The Bruce Live box set has a killer version of "Adam Raised a Cain." Sounds it was recorded in a small club; brings out all the menace in the song. 
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Would love to hear Candy's Room or Adam Raised a Cain.

 

The last time Candy's Room was played here, Obama was just hitting the campaign trail in 2007!
Just HOPE you might hear it again at some point.
Yeah, but there is no Waynesboro County in Utah. A Wayne County, yes. I just drove across and through Wayne County on June 24. It's the county of glorious Capitol Reef Natl Park. And the towns of Lyman, Bicknell and Torrey (no desert there), and Hanksville and Caineville (desert towns both).  Hanksville is an excellent candidate for the song in Springsteen's imagination. Or an actual visit. 
 
 felix9 wrote:
Racing In The Streets is an amazing Song on this Album. And the rest is great, too.

 
I have to agree Racing in the Streets is my favourite on this album.

On second thought...Racing in the Streets along with Something in the Night.




 Vicey wrote:
Happy 64th birthday to Bruce. 
  

1949 was a good year: Bruce, Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Gene Simmons, Rick Springfield, Lionel Richie, Paul Shaffer. Me.
 Vicey wrote:
Happy 64th birthday to Bruce. 
 

 
Bruce is still hot after all these years.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Great album but not my favourite track.
Would love to hear Candy's Room or Adam Raised a Cain.

 
2nd the motion.  I think this is my favorite BS album.
Happy 64th birthday to Bruce. 
 

This song is soooo good for the ears...
 
 toterola wrote:
6.5 average? WTF? {#Sad}

 
Seriously, about 5 points too high. Can't stand his music or his lemming fans. 
Great album but not my favourite track.
Would love to hear Candy's Room or Adam Raised a Cain.
 toterola wrote:
6.5 average? WTF? {#Sad}
 
No doubt! Blasphemers.
{#Clap} {#Clap} {#Clap}
1 play every 30 days is plenty.
6.5 average? WTF? {#Sad}
 Sasha2001 wrote:

No, everyone in Jersey worships this guy, everyone on Long Island worships Billie Joel, and everyone in New York worships a good parking space.
 
Parking spaces were not often important to me while I lived in NY, mainly because - like many native New Yorkers - I didn't have a car.  Good tune.
First Queen now this...blech!
Good call!! {#Daisy}
Wow, haven't thought of that song in a zillion years ... I used to drive my best friend crazy playing it over and over.  She HATED Springsteen, but she loved that song "I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" so I figured she deserved to be tormented ...

   
rickhoran wrote:
imho, candy's room is the keeper from this album. still is one of my all time favorite songs.


 Sasha2001 wrote:
No,everyone in Jersey worships this guy, everyone on Long Island worships Billie Joel, and everyone in New York worships a good parking space.
 
I didn't know that there were any good parking spaces in NY.
 rickhoran wrote:

No i cannot doubt that. I just think this is the weakest song on the record. the first 5 springsteen albums are great in my mind. so for any other mortal back then i would think its a great song. the album did not leave my turntable for about 6 months.
 



It's what makes him so great. I think each Springsteen fan has a different list of favorite songs and albums, and each one of those for intensely personal reasons.
 scraig wrote:

I thought everybody in NY worshiped this guy.
 



No,everyone in Jersey worships this guy, everyone on Long Island worships Billie Joel, and everyone in New York worships a good parking space.
I really like this song.
there are a lot of musicians...
but only one Boss...
ek. can't stand any of his stuff. too many instruments playing the same drone simultaneously. so boring and hard to listen to.
 amb599 wrote:
Nothing makes me turn off RP more frequently than BS.
 
So - if RP played Lady Gaga, you'd be okay?  And a secondary question:  What makes you come back? Just wondering.

 amb599 wrote:
Nothing makes me turn off RP more frequently than BS.
 
I thought everybody in NY worshiped this guy.
Nothing makes me turn off RP more frequently than BS.
What a pleasant surprise!
 Sasha2001 wrote:
"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"

It's the lyrics that make this song so great. Can you doubt the heartfelt sincerity behind each an every line of this song?


 
No i cannot doubt that. I just think this is the weakest song on the record. the first 5 springsteen albums are great in my mind. so for any other mortal back then i would think its a great song. the album did not leave my turntable for about 6 months.
Great song from B S best album! Really like this song a lot.{#Dancingbanana_2}

springsteen via payne by ~kenmeyerjr
©2005-2010 ~kenmeyerjr


 rickhoran wrote:


agreed. this is the worst song on the album. imho, candy's room is the keeper from this album. still is one of my all time favorite songs.
  "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"

It's the lyrics that make this song so great. Can you doubt the heartfelt sincerity behind each an every line of this song?




so good for the ears!
It's awesome and that's that.
 joshfm wrote:
I wonder why it doesn't include "...and the E Street Band" on the cover?
 

As I recall, his only option for signing to Columbia in 1973 was to do it as a solo artist (the hot trend of the time, vice bands), so all of his studio albums have been released under just his name.  His live albums have been releaseed under the Springsteen/ESB heading . . .
Classic— one of his best. As with virtually every Springsteen song (and every U2 song, and every Dylan song), any live version beats the studio version.  With ESB best, but even the acoustic versions he did on his solo tours were haunting . . .

My interest in the Springstain fell to almost nothing after Born To Run and still hasn't rebounded. 

As for Seger, to me he's a one-hit wonder with that song about Hollywood nights or lights or something.  I'll take disco anyday over that old time rock n roll.
Springsteen....you looking at me?

 stickers11 wrote:
Why does Springsteen's music always sound like it is being delivered by a lead pipe to the head? It's loud, sloppy, and annoying...
Like a bar band who never learned to play in a more refined manner...
 
You're starting to understand, grasshopper.
God help  me, I've just never been a Springsteen fan. Bob Seger sure but not Bruce.
 felix9 wrote:
Racing In The Streets is an amazing Song on this Album. And the rest is great, too.
 
Candy's Room is one of my favorites as well.

 kaybee wrote:
Actually this is an excellent album and the lyrics to this and many of the other songs on it are as incisive today as when they were written.

For myself, I prefer Springsteen's earlier work up to and including The River.  I guess he's just as good now, but for me he doesn't seem to have the edge or hunger he had back in the day.

 
His newest album gets back to the edge and hunger that you recall from the Wild and the Innocent and Born to Run.  Check it out.

Racing In The Streets is an amazing Song on this Album. And the rest is great, too.
Actually this is an excellent album and the lyrics to this and many of the other songs on it are as incisive today as when they were written.

For myself, I prefer Springsteen's earlier work up to and including The River.  I guess he's just as good now, but for me he doesn't seem to have the edge or hunger he had back in the day.

Nothing like a Bruce Springsteen song to ruin a good set.
Again...
The music scene at the time this came out was not the best.

I'm thankful I was around to hear this on the limited radio stations that would play Bruce.

It was a treat.
 jedley wrote:
I worship Bruce, so forgive me if I say that this song sucks and never would've made it onto any of his first 3 albums.
 

agreed. this is the worst song on the album. imho, candy's room is the keeper from this album. still is one of my all time favorite songs.


I worship Bruce, so forgive me if I say that this song sucks and never would've made it onto any of his first 3 albums.
my sorbet to the crappy DMB we were subjected to earlier! Thanks!
I wonder why it doesn't include "...and the E Street Band" on the cover?
 toterola wrote:

Darned good comment. This is my personal favorite Springsteen album. I love all of his stuff, but I turned 17 the year this one came out, and I have always held it near-n-dear. Rock on! {#Music}
 

I've been a huge Springsteen fan since this came out (I was about the same age as you, born in 1960). Anyway, went to the Roses Store in Spartanburg and bought this album, The Rolling Stones "Some Girls," and Jimmy Buffet's "Son of a Son of a Sailor," all on the same day...what an incredible shopping day that was..too funny...

Anyway, this remains my favorite Springsteen album. The Darkness tour shows are still the best in my opinion (although I did not get to see any). Hopefully, the long rumored 30th Anniversary edition will come out with at least a DVD or live CD from this period (there is some incredible video on YouTube from Phoenix, which supposedly the show that's going to be used in the box).

 snakechaser wrote:
Judging by the comment dates, this doesn't get played very often. I think that is as it should be. For those of us that love old Bruce, hearing it only once in a while makes it more sweet. And for those of you that don't...well, you know.

Anyhow, maybe it is overdramatic and schmaltzy but it's the signature sound of an era many of us don't want to forget. And I like hearing Bruce's voice,  no matter what the lyrics.
 
Darned good comment. This is my personal favorite Springsteen album. I love all of his stuff, but I turned 17 the year this one came out, and I have always held it near-n-dear. Rock on! {#Music}
Judging by the comment dates, this doesn't get played very often. I think that is as it should be. For those of us that love old Bruce, hearing it only once in a while makes it more sweet. And for those of you that don't...well, you know.

Anyhow, maybe it is overdramatic and schmaltzy but it's the signature sound of an era many of us don't want to forget. And I like hearing Bruce's voice,  no matter what the lyrics.


 Isobel wrote:
I will never "get" why this man is worshipped by so many otherwise rational music fans.
  'cause he's the greatest. Hope this helps.
I was fortunate to grow up in Jersey during Springsteen's upswing to fame. His music certainly hits a chord with many ( but not all) of us that grew up in Northeast US. I'm sure other areas of the country/world can appreciate his music however... it's more of a vicarious appreciation.

It's more than just the music and lyrics, it was growing up & having the Boss' music as a backdrop to all the crazy, fun and tragic experiences we endured while "growing up". To hear these songs now brings me back to the "glory days". And for this, I truly feel blessed.

Then again, maybe I just like bad music which has been repeatedly forced upon me from an early age.... although I love RP and they play Springsteen ....so it must not be all that bad.

Skal! 
Haven't heard this one in a while I guess I haven't been listening to the radio much Always liked this album, growing up Thanks, Bill
HazzeSwede wrote:
I have all LP's by Bruce,still in mint C. as this song is,#10!! The guys giving this #1,what are they listening to,The Monkeys?
Still in mint condition? Impossible to listen to all the way through?
I love John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band!!! What?? Spingsteen! So hard to tell them apart. AWFUL!! Along with Madonna most over rated artist of modern times.
weak..........
Why does Springsteen's music always sound like it is being delivered by a lead pipe to the head? It's loud, sloppy, and annoying... Like a bar band who never learned to play in a more refined manner...
HazzeSwede wrote:
I have all LP's by Bruce,still in mint C. as this song is,#10!! The guys giving this #1,what are they listening to,The Monkeys?
There's more between heaven and earth than just Bruce or The Monkeys, Hazze. I've never found the door to this type of straight rock by Mr. Springsteen.
I have all LP's by Bruce,still in mint C. as this song is,#10!! The guys giving this #1,what are they listening to,The Monkeys?
I love Bruce, but Paddy MacAloon got it right: 'Some things hurt more, much more, than cars and girls'.
Excellent album from start to finish
Hannio wrote:
How melodramatic can you get? Pure schmaltz.
Home_Alone_NC wrote:
While I was working a two month contract (sentence!), in SoCal this year, Irealized the most F'd up things about California were two things: 1. Never hear any Bruce on the radio, and 2. Not enough churches! Godless heathens. This song gave me the strength to get throgh those months and keep focused on getting back to the "Promised Land" of N. Carolina!
These two things are the WORST you could come up in two months? I know this post is like 5 years old but it cracked me up.
How melodramatic can you get? Pure schmaltz.
I think we should go with the trend of plays and not play this for a few more months... Ugh.
Damn! I thought I recognized that harmonica intro but one doesn't hear too much Darkness-era Bruce on RP. What a nice, mid-afternoon treat. When I was 16 my band did a cover of this that actually was not horrible. It's amusing seeing some people complaining, back in 2003, that this was overplayed! Thanks for digging it up, Bill.
Bruce Book: https://www.Foryoubruce.com


Isobel wrote:
What absolute drivel. I will never "get" why this man is worshipped by so many otherwise rational music fans. Somebody please explain what's good about this!! I honestly want to understand.
If you have to ask, it would be a complete waste of time for anyone to attempt explaining it to you.
Originally Posted by Home_Alone_NC: While I was working a two month contract (sentence!), in SoCal this year, Irealized the most F'd up things about California were two things: 1. Never hear any Bruce on the radio, and 2. Not enough churches! Godless heathens. This song gave me the strength to get throgh those months and keep focused on getting back to the "Promised Land" of N. Carolina!
If by churches you mean houses to worship the Higher Power of your understanding, rest assured there are plenty here. If by churches you mean Klan enclaves, reptile houses, or places in which you can marry your sister, I guess you're right, you had better stay in North Carolina....
What absolute drivel. I will never \"get\" why this man is worshipped by so many otherwise rational music fans. Somebody please explain what\'s good about this!! I honestly want to understand.
Originally Posted by anuraga:
Because he gives it everything he's got.
Originally Posted by satellite1028: Why is he always out of breath at the end of every song?
Waaaay overplayed...
Originally Posted by mr.selfdestruct: He's not the boss of me.
Originally Posted by Home_Alone_NC: While I was working a two month contract (sentence!), in SoCal this year, Irealized the most F'd up things about California were two things: 1. Never hear any Bruce on the radio, and 2. Not enough churches! Godless heathens. This song gave me the strength to get throgh those months and keep focused on getting back to the "Promised Land" of N. Carolina!
Aw, hell, son, we got plenty of churches. Maybe you've just been lookin in the wrong places. Anywho, hope you had a safe trip back. I hear Bruce on the radio all the time, by the bye--or, I did when I still listened to commercial radio
it\'s funny that the ratings for this song are higher than what i\'d expect considering the number of \"yuck\"ers chiming in here.
Classical swill. Let\'s move on.
No.
Too horrible for words.
I tried to like him too... really I did. I wanted to fit in with everyone I knew with their torn T\'s and New Jersey esthetic. I just couldn\'t do it on any of these anthemic numbers, although I did really like some of Nebraska and Tunnel of Love. Go figure. I\'m so out of it. That said, I\'m taking off my headphones for awhile until this is over. Yuk.
I think this is one of his finest albums. The Boss rocks. Bill, what about playing the hard to find tune \"Trapped\"..? I would like to try to get that one to you...
He just sucks. Saw him in concert once. It\'s not him, it\'s his music.
I\'ve tried to like Bruce Springsteen. I really did. I bought his Born in the USA album right before it got a lot of airplay. The song \"Born in the USA\" was played a lot back then. The lyrica are: Born in the USA. I was born in the USA. Born in the USA. I\'m a cool rocking daddy in the USA. Repeat 100 times. Then repeat the song 100 times each day on the airwaves. Soon, I couldn\'t listen to the album any more. And now, I can\'t really listen to him at all. I can\'t even stand his early \"classics\".
Excellent to hear Springsteen on RP. What about some of his other, more introspective songs (such as from Nebraska?)