New Jersey Turnpike riding on a wet night
'Neath the refinery's glow out where the great black rivers flow
License, registration, I ain't got none
But I got a clear conscience 'bout the things that I done

Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Please don't stop me, please don't stop me

Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife
The only thing that I got's been bothering me my whole life
Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Please don't you stop me, please don't you stop me

In the wee wee hours your mind gets hazy
Radio relay towers gonna lead me to my baby
The radio's jammed up with talk show stations
It's just talk, talk, talk, talk, 'til you lose your patience
Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Whoa
Whoo-whoo

Hey, somebody out there, listen to my last prayer
Hi ho silver-o, deliver me from nowhere
Whoa
Woo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper" create a haunting and suspenseful image of a man driving down the New Jersey Turnpike on a wet night, hoping to make it to his destination without being stopped by the state trooper. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation as the man pleads for the trooper not to stop him, acknowledging that he doesn't have his license or registration, but insisting that he has a clear conscience about the things that he's done. The lyrics suggest that the man may be running from something or someone and may be willing to take desperate measures to make his escape.

The lyrics also create a sense of paranoia, with the man's mind becoming hazy during the wee hours of the night and the radio jamming up with talk show stations. The repeated refrain of "please don't stop me" adds to the tension and the sense of urgency in the song, as the man's fate seems to hang in the balance. The final line of the song, "deliver me from nowhere," conveys a sense of hopelessness and desperation as the man continues his journey into the unknown.

Overall, "State Trooper" is a masterful example of Springsteen's ability to create vivid and compelling narratives through his lyrics. The song captures the feeling of being trapped and hunted, while also conveying a sense of determination and resilience in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

New Jersey Turnpike riding on a wet night
I am driving on the New Jersey Turnpike on a rainy night.

'Neath the refinery's glow out where the great black rivers flow
The glow of the refinery is visible as I pass by the great black rivers.

License, registration, I ain't got none
I do not have a license or registration.

But I got a clear conscience 'bout the things that I done
Although I don't have a license or registration, I don't have anything to worry about as I have a clear conscience.

Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
I am requesting the state trooper not to stop me.

Please don't stop me, please don't stop me
I repeat my request to the state trooper not to stop me.

Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife
I acknowledge that the state trooper has a family.

The only thing that I got's been bothering me my whole life
I have something on my mind, which has been troubling me for my entire life.

Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
I am repeating my request to the state trooper not to stop me.

Please don't you stop me, please don't you stop me
I am once again pleading with the state trooper not to stop me.

In the wee wee hours your mind gets hazy
During the early morning hours, your mind can feel confused and disoriented.

Radio relay towers gonna lead me to my baby
The radio towers will lead me to the person I love.

The radio's jammed up with talk show stations
The radio is filled with talk shows, making it hard to find the music I want to listen to.

It's just talk, talk, talk, talk, 'til you lose your patience
All the talk shows can get annoying after a while.

Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
I am again pleading with the state trooper not to stop me.

Whoa
An expression of exclamation or excitement.

Whoo-whoo
An onomatopoeic representation of a train whistle or siren.

Hey, somebody out there, listen to my last prayer
I am calling out for someone to hear my prayer, possibly as I feel like I am in danger.

Hi ho silver-o, deliver me from nowhere
I am calling out for a hero to come save me from danger.

Whoa
Another expression of exclamation or excitement.

Woo
An onomatopoeic sound of celebration.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@henrik3775

3y↑56

Lyrics
New Jersey Turnpike riding on a wet night
'Neath the refinery's glow out where the great black rivers flow
License, registration, I ain't got none
But I got a clear conscience 'bout the things that I done
Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Please don't stop me, please don't stop me
Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife
The only thing that I got's been bothering me my whole life
Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Please don't you stop me, please don't you stop me
In the wee wee hours your mind gets hazy
Radio relay towers gonna lead me to my baby
The radio's jammed up with talk show stations
It's just talk, talk, talk, talk, till you lose your patience
Mister state trooper, please don't stop me
Whoa!
Whooo-whooo!
Hey, somebody out there, listen to my last prayer
Hi ho silver-o, deliver me from nowhere
Whoa!
Woooo

@akimoto8626

6y↑2

taken from the album Nebraska (1982)

New Jersey Turnpike ridin' on a wet night
Neath the refinery's glow
Out where the great black rivers flow
License registration I ain't got none
But I got a clear conscience
Bout the things that I done
Mister state trooper please don't stop me
Please don't stop me please don't stop me

Maybe you got a kid maybe you got a pretty wife
The only thing that I got's
Been bothering me my whole life
Mister state trooper please don't stop me
Please don't stop me please don't stop me

In the wee wee hours your mind gets hazy
Radio relay towers lead me to my baby
Radio's jammed up with talk show stations
It's just talk talk talk talk
Till you lose your patience
Mister state trooper please don't stop me

Hey somebody out there listen to my last prayer
Hi ho silver-o deliver me from nowhere

Hey, somebody out there, listen to my last prayer
Hi, Ho, silver oh, deliver me from nowhere

All comments from YouTube:

@yankeeinjapan8869

2y↑24

That constant and low guitar thrum, the buildup of tension like a taut rubber band, and the final snap at the end as a shout. Love this song

@originalmngsp

10y↑129

Not a big fan of Bruce, but this album is incredible. A masterpiece!!!

@lisaballico

9y↑10

Love Bruce, everything he does BUT Nebraska tops them all. Sheer brilliance. Where was his head at when he was writing this album ? Blows my mind.

@GodInTheMachine

6y↑13

Well, he'll be devastated, but I'll tell him...

@GOD-ti9xp

5y↑1

Blisa B he was in Nebraska for the week

@GOD-ti9xp

originalmngsp that’s every person who’s not a big Bruce fan album choice😂
Idiots

@Anahita61

Same!

3 More Replies...

@joshuadavison8506

5y↑57

The Nebraska album is truly one of the greatest American works of art

@conorkennedy3304

2y↑1

i agree

@KurtisHord

I hate the middle class

@fuphanwang9134

2y↑1

no its not

@conorkennedy3304

@Fu Phan Wang i shit on your haircut

@tenisalot

31w

@@fuphanwang9134yes it is

@New_Zealand_Music

3y↑30

Easily my favourite Bruce Springsteen song. I can even hear a bit of influence from Elvis in this... we can all disagree. But I'm not the world's biggest fan of Bruce Springsteen but I think this is probably one of the best songs he's ever written.
Thank you.

@DaveAnchovies

always thought Nebraska was an album for non-fans (and his first). i own the first few, but this album and the best song on it. a dirgy synth post punk whatever band did an amazing cover that stands along the original, if not more desperate and dark. https://youtu.be/0MhOgfFH70w

@s3nsec0rruptr80

2y↑14

Actually a lot of influence came from Suicide.

@nr8688

I would say Chuck Berry more than Elvis

@sergiopietra8307

@s3nse c0rruptr
Yes indeed, especially the screams in the dark

@rellgreen6558

Steve Earle's cover is way better

4 More Replies...

@I_Love_That_Movie

4y↑402

"Someday soon...you're gonna have families of your own. And if you're lucky...you'll remember the little moments. Like this. That were good. Cheers."

@markwhite2207

3y↑8

Amen brother

@ringofaggot

3y↑3

thanks dale

@panoschamoxaras4174

3y↑17

Sopranos babe

@mr.traditionalist7948

3y↑18

Bring me to tears every times. Phenomenal end to a phenomenal season

@I_Love_That_Movie

@MrTurtleTail Prego

25 More Replies...

@Maximillion666

8y↑78

This is one of the few Springsteen that hits me emotionally. The desperation in this song is a great nod to Frankie Teardrop.

@devinmillermedia

7y↑8

I'm not a Bruce fanboy. I respect him but this is one of the few songs that I love love love of his, maybe the only one.

@dylanmorgan2752

IAN m went nicely on sopranos season 1

@vidjeraj8989

Such a big leap for Van Morrison Fanclub poster boy

@Maximillion666

1y↑1

@Vid Jeraj Van Morrison Fanclub poster boy ??? What ? Frankie Teardrop was a Suicide song.

@vidjeraj8989

@IAN m Like I dunno... hahaha. I was referring to Bruce, whose schooling in music is related to cover versions of Van Morrison. it's not that VM's music is something bad, I like those songs too, but this leap is somehow weird, don't you think=

2 More Replies...

@Xervello

10y↑89

"The only thing that I've got's been botherin' me my whole life" is a great line. Perfectly sums up the character he's singing about. And the way he delivers the line is masterful. Bruuuuuce!

@ProudMexican896

who is he singing about? addiction? or a person?

@wolftownsend3982

9y↑5

julio raya he's talking about being on the edge....edge of the line, edge of sanity....just pray he don't get pulled over.......struggling with a monkey julio....?

@calvinmaynardtmt

9y↑14

julio raya I'm reasonably sure it's about some sort of psycho who hopes not to be pulled over, not for his own sake, but for the officer's, because he's afraid of what he might do to the cop.

@kristinawhite9039

9y↑2

julio raya Wikipedia says: Criminal behavior continues as a theme in the song "Highway Patrolman": even though the protagonist works for the law, he lets his brother escape after he has shot someone (this became the basis for the Sean Penn-directed film The Indian Runner)

@markwhite2207

Amen brother

1 More Replies...

@RedNightDragon1

47w↑7

The minimalism of the guitar, the echo on the vocals, the restrained singing which descends into full-throated screaming at the end ... this is definitely descended from Suicide's "Frankie Teardrop".

@Denise_Suzanne

30w

Bruce has said that.

@henrik3775

3y↑56

@alysonclegg5294

5y↑9

I graduated high school in 1981. I'm shocked this album came out in 82. I remember Springsteen for pop like Born to Run. I never knew Springsteen could do amazing stuff like this. '

@wj2429

5y↑1

Listen to Jungleland on the Born To Run album. All of Bruce is good.

@HoldenBlackcreek

11y↑10

True classic in the man with nothing left to lose mindset , Springsteen,s haunting vocals have a way of making one feel that incredible desperation of those among the few who become cornered and feel there is no other way out ? State trooper stands as another testament to his genius as an American storyteller and songwriter .

@Denise_Suzanne

30w

You should listen to the song that inspired this one. It's a hard listen, though. Frankie by Suicide. You've been warned.

@PsyVen

5y↑54

One of the eeriest and most disturbing songs ever recorded. Springsteen captured the mind of a dangerous madman with just two chords and a few words. The dark ambiguity of the tune is far scarier than a detailed recitation of the narrator's torments and crimes.

@shoechew

nah

@jerrymammoser9857

...you....you, TOO gotta write!

@CD-gh1uf

You've obviously never heard Johnny teardrop by Suicide.

@PsyVen

2y↑1

@C D I have. It's even more disturbing than this song. Springsteen is a Suicide fan, and their influence on this song and LP is pretty obvious.

@goatpunk

45w

@C D Frankie

@billiondollardan

4y↑21

This has always been one of my favorite Springsteen songs. My mom would play Bruce every Saturday while we cleaned the house. It would shake the walls! That is the only time I liked cleaning lol

@BrianSmith-vl7xu

2y↑4

This is fantastic. If Suicide were to go acoustic. This is how they would sound.

@texasBMXer

11y↑13

I know, I love it! This gives me a whole new appreciation for Bruce Springsteen. I'm going to have to listen to the rest of Nebraska. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

@MadMan731

It's a fantastic album, probably my favorite one of his.

@MrMono1971

11y↑7

Who thought The Boss could do something so haunting? Love the song

@montex23

8y↑111

"When Alan Vega first heard Bruce Springsteen’s album Nebraska, he was convinced that the song "State Trooper" was a long lost Suicide song that he had forgotten about. The song was not a lost Suicide track – it was one of Springsteen’s own, but an obvious homage nonetheless." RIP ALAN VEGA !

@fredericmistral3646

7y↑1

or the other way around?

@devinmillermedia

7y↑12

nope ... Frederic, listen to Frankie Teardrop by Suicide, from 1977.

@hairclub5055

7y↑9

from Rolling Stone -- "In a 1984 Rolling Stone cover story, Bruce Springsteen spoke about Suicide's influence on his Nebraska LP. "Oh, my God! That's one of the most amazing records I think I ever
heard. I love that record," he said of "Frankie Teardrop." You could certainly hear the song's influence on "State Trooper," Nebraska's harrowing highway murder ballad." -- http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/story-of-suicides-terrifying-frankie-teardrop-song-w429680

@lc65000

I never heard this!!! Thank you. HUGE Alan fan/Suicide. Love the version of motorcycle hero on Alan's solo Demolition Drive LP

@MadMan731

1y↑1

That's cool, Suicide is a great band, too.

@honestdigger9876

4y↑15

The State Trooper always has this guy in mind if he wants to live, never relaxes no matter how innocuous the occupants of a vehicle seem.
Always watching for that unlatched boot with the shotgun man in it, that killer lying on the floor behind the driver, that pistol under the seat.

@shoechew

3y↑4

The boogie man that lives in us all!

@jerrymammoser9857

2y↑4

... you gotta write! You got ta.

@tenisalot

31w

I think it's just a guy on the fringe, can't afford to renew registration, his car is all he's got, that and his girl....

@WQuantrill

29w

@@tenisalot Nah lol listen again. He’s clearly done something really horrible and he’s going to kill the state trooper if he pulls him over. That’s why he’s mulling over whether the guy has a kid.

@JosipMiller

10y↑11

Bruce Springsteen is poet of real life on this album.

@bouse23

5y↑6

i love how bruces songs tell a story

@C0maT0ast

46w↑1

Up until now I'd only heard Steve Earle's version (which as awesome as it is, I knew it was a cover) and always wanted to hear Springsteen's version.

@nikaproust

3y↑7

A masterpiece

@patrickking3562

48w↑2

I turned this song on as i headed onto the highway after leaving Metlife Stadium at 2:30am on September 23, 2012. Bruce had just performed a rain delayed 9/22/12 show, causing this to be called his "Birthday Show". His mom came on stage at 2am to sing "Twist and Shout" with him and to end the show with fireworks erupting from the top of the stadium. What a night! Listening to "State Trooper" as i drove on the dark highway that night was just a new way to experience that great song.

@blahanger4304

3y↑2

I used to fall asleep to this as a kid, love this album.

@nr8688

2y↑2

What is exceptional is how he effortlessly combines the elements of Chuck Berry ("You Can't Catch Me") with minimalism and screams of Alan Vega (Suicide)

@kennethnelson501

3y↑1

Don’t read too much into this song. Just a great guitar riff. Killer lyrics. Great Bruce!

@joshuapriestley5307

2y↑1

So many layers to him as a writer and the bands sound !

@petermercer6282

2y↑3

Just heard this on local radio in England UK ....truely amazing fantastic brilliant

@MadMan731

Fantastic album, and a great song too.

@Deedee-ee1sg

Stonkingly great track from a truly iconic album!

@stevepoptones6675

9y↑15

Bruce' sounding like one of his heroes Alan Vega. Killer song...Love the Frankie Teardrop screams...

@ralphcat1972

9y↑19

Indescribably PHENOMENAL.

@IlliniJake

Oh Yes.

@akimoto8626

6y↑2

@alexarolasgarcia1747

6y↑2

Esta buena canción la compuso BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN y la canto y la publico en el año 1982

@bchad28ify

10y↑36

The primal howling 'WOOAAH's at the end give me goosebumps

@valerio1292

you saved my life, you know that

@doubanjiang

2y↑1

I don't often listen to Bruce Springsteen, but when I do, it's Nebraska. This record floors me.

@ssri728

Sounds like a mix of Arthur Russell and Alan Vega i absolutely love it

@tanvirgrewal1092

As good as it gets, Bruce.

@ethanbradley2089

4y↑1

I am not a Springsteen fan. But I love Nebraska. My English teacher in High School told me about back in the day. I've loved it since.

@tucko11

You are now ...

@StanFredo

3y↑1

The Boss brilliantly pays tribute to his friend and inspiration Alan Vega, from the seminal band Suicide.

@toriwoods9800

What a tune!

@conortaft2039

49w

That shriek at the end freaks me out every time! Incredible tune.

@marceloromero4515

4y↑1

I saw Suicide at the Palladium in New York City on Jan. 7th, 1978 opening for The Runaways, who were opening for The Ramones- RocketToRussia tour. I was 11yrs. old and Suicide scared the shit out of me. 'State Trooper' is unquestioningly influenced by Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Frighteningly brilliant duo!

@poisonsnake1064

4y↑1

Rest In Peace James,
You’ll always be missed

@pacmanfan1214

8y↑12

At the end, about a second before the last scream, you can hear it (the last scream) from bleed-through on the cassette tape. Pretty cool.

@demetrakis7t2

Was the only song that ease my mind during my moms suffering rip with cancer....bad memories but song haunts me keeps me going

@markbrooks4471

1y↑1

Springsteen borrowed Suicide's minimal rock n roll approach when recording this song. It was so convincing even singer Alan Vega was puzzled about when he'd recorded the song.

@Maxipanda6

10y↑178

This song is almost as creepy as Frankie Teardrop by Suicide (One of the very few songs that I would describe as scary). I can definitely see their influence on him.

@viral0998hj

8y↑4

Because of the unexpected screaming?

@baconforsaken5555

6y↑13

He heard Frankie teardrop, liked it then wrote this song

@40fluidounces

6y↑3

dude yes this totally makes me think Suicide!

@doctorx0079

6y↑14

Frankie Teardrop is a whole lot scarier.

@Mr-ep2qi

6y↑4

do u not hear the way hes singing? its the same tone and everything man

17 More Replies...

@lriggins80

2y↑1

I love this 🎵 🎶 🎵

@zackzallie8735

Came here after Frankie Teardrop. I love the fact that Springsteen made his own thing and still sound good without ripping it off.

@brendanbarnes2145

5y↑1

Visions of The Boss sitting in his lounge room at Colts Neck during a cold winters night.Laying it down into a Tascam Portastudio.Brilliant.

@cheese4g

6y↑1

I didn't finish listening to Frankie Teardrop, but I can certainly hear the inspiration of it in this song.

@brunodelgadillo2493

3y↑17

“I got the world by the balls and yet I can’t stop feeling that I’m a loser” - Tony Soprano

@TheNellamaria

12y↑1

simply amazing...

@EnvoyOfDestinyZ

6y↑5

Heard this great song before. The veils version is also really great. Just saw sopranos so this brought me here

@anelladambrosio2513

Che meraviglia!! Bruce questa canzone e stupenda!!!😍😍😍😘😘😘💘💘💔💔💞💞💖💯

@claudealain85

5y↑2

His best song!

@sercastamere9853

5y↑1

Highly encourage everyone to go check out The Veils' cover of this. It really unlocks the full power and potential of this song!

@kevinoconnor4102

There will never be another Springsteen.

@plasteredbastard

4y↑1

A film and it's cinematography set to a three min song. That's evocative, that's Bruce ain't it?

@massimoravedoni7881

11y

The Suicide's (Martin Rev and Alan Vega) influence is so impressive.

@RonaldCharlesEpstein

9y↑2

If you feel haunted, it isn't a ghost-it's Bruce Springsteen!

@justFUNdimples

+Ronald Charles Epstein No it's actually the influences of Alan Vega and Marty Rev from Suicide ;)

@jackprism7064

12y

5,034 we know what great ballads this album put out, you can ease back and listen and watch a video in your own mind

@MrCowzMusic

11y↑2

Why have I never heard this - my friend just showed me, pretty classy

@patrickmooney1428

41w

love Halloween Alaska's version of this and think it would have been perfect for Jax death ride in Sons Of Anarchy.

@vlid0

8y↑190

When you realize that you don't have the makings of a varsity athlete and feel that you are going nowhere in life..

@austinstout1393

5y↑8

what the hell are ya askin him for? he never even had the makings of a varsity athlete!

@tucko11

5y↑11

vlid0 and when it’s raining outside and your driving with your family and you stop at Vesuvio to eat lol

@tucko11

Tree falls crash sound .....

@bookreaderson

4y↑4

Im here cuz of sopranos

@drunkroku4054

LOL

5 More Replies...

@aaronmcintosh9653

4y↑2

How good is this track? I mean, seriously?

@paulsak59

12y↑16

This song made an appearance on the Soprano's. Thanks!

@woodLG

4y↑2

two chords, maybe the best acoustic song ever written. that voice, man.

@jeffwhitworth8510

11y

This album is better than Yankees will ever appreciate

@xax888servo7

Who knew Bruce springsteen would make the most gangster song ever.

@LeoArenales18

5y↑51

Look at her she’s smiling

@BillionDoubt

3y↑1

Luckily I found this music first before watching The Sopranos but man once I heard this music and suddenly was blown away then I thought this has some good taste of music.

@PizzaRoyalty

I have been a huge Bruce fan for over 40 years...Nebraska was one of my least favorite albums, however...this song! Thanks to the French foreign film Rust and Bone.

@aaronvieira8671

Bruuuuuuuuuuuce

@rubydust3

11y

wonderful Bruce

@KurtisC93

8y↑80

Every time I hear him scream, it's like he's shouting out to Frankie Teardrop.

@watherby29

fortunately I have no idea what this comment is about

@fede018

7y↑3

it's a song by the band Suicide. Their influence on Nebraska era Springsteen is clear as water.

@calvinmaynardtmt

9y↑32

Did not expect the psycho screams near the end... scared the bejesus out of me!

@bobmorman4472

9y↑1

Calvin Maynard Haunting!

@GOD-ti9xp

5y↑1

James Anti nope

@felixwheatfield8053

4y↑3

Happy to know Suicide influenced Bruce Springsteen of all people.

@johnnyluna7824

came to this 16 years after being an overly precocious music snob listening to Suicide at 15 and finally coming around to the boss.

@raphael4048

11y

Quand on a la classe, rien à dire. Simplement Respect avec un R majuscule. Just Listen.

@jovannycampas

Been fire 🔥

@daulotfountain320

If woody was alive and writing today... Bruce takes it from there. Tonight he is in Seattle, strange that I am not there!

@exitzeroone

10y

his best

@Donscottmusic

8y↑2

Originally meant to be a demo recorded on a 4-track.

@TheRealCaptainFreedom

Pretty sure The Boss took unlikely inspiration from the band Suicide for this one. Reminds me of Ghost Rider.

@tucko11

“ focus on the good times “

@user-cn1zh7ho7x

Супер Песня - есть ли на Виниле?))

@markmiller4442

I remember sitting in a dingy basement.doing a.doobie getting stoned and jamming on Mr. State trooper

@mactheAnimal798

2y↑1

Perfect Song with a few bottles of JD's

@herbierolison7821

11y

I think of the last moments of the final episode of the first season of the Sopranos...New Jersey turnpike, round about midnight!

@leechurchill1965

11y

Bruce Springsteen Nebraska album (circa 1982) brought me here.

@twinbecky101

4y↑2

Believe it or not, an episode of King and Queens brought me here.
Hearing the music (and focusing on just that), all I can here is "Doug and Carrie, Doug and Carrie, Doug and Carrie, Doug and Carrie"

@apathy216

11y

finally i found it !

@lesakramer8369

5y↑1

Thank you. I've got a a clear mind; not hazy....never been stopped. x.

@theduffmansean

All the while Bruce is hanging out with the state troopers and pretending to be against the man. What a tragic let down.

@demetrakis7t2

Please enlighten me on this side of pond had no idea...so he is on the side of the bullies now?

@mrmojorisen8752

@demetrakis7t2 He has no idea what he’s talking about.

@demetrakis7t2

@Mr MojoRisen87 anyhow merry christmas to you all, all i know is that this mans music lyrics got me through some of the hardest and dark days of my life so far...and those days are over but ironic that time n time again i rekindle those days listening to this music