Atlantic City
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
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Now they blew up his house, too
Down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready
For a fight, gonna see what them racket boys can do
Now there's trouble busin' in from outta state
And the DA can't get no relief
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade
Well, now everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus
Now, baby, everything dies, honey, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I'll stay
We're goin' out where the sands turnin' to gold now
Put on your stockings, baby, 'cause the nights gettin' cold and
Everything dies, baby, that's a fact but maybe
Everything that dies someday comes back
Now I've been lookin' for a job but it's hard to find
Down here it's just winners and losers
And don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well I'm tired of comin' out on this losin' end
So, honey, last night I met this guy
And I'm gonna do a little favor for him
Well I guess everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Fix your hair up nice, make yourself look pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Come meet me tonight in Atlantic City
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Meet me tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
The song "Atlantic City" by Bruce Springsteen depicts the decay of the American dream and the desperation of people trying to survive in a corrupt system. The song begins with an explosive line, "they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night, now they blew up his house too," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer talks about the ongoing violence and corruption in Atlantic City, portraying the city as a battleground for the "racket boys" and the government officials. In this lawless city, the singer is trying to make ends meet by any means necessary, even if that includes breaking the law.
As the song continues, the singer talks about the inevitability of death and the possibility of renewal. He talks about putting on makeup and fixing his hair up pretty, indicating that he is meeting someone for what could be their last night alive. Even though everything dies, the singer remains hopeful and believes that maybe everything that dies someday comes back. In the end, the singer reveals that he has decided to do something illegal for someone else, highlighting the desperation and hopelessness that the characters in the song are facing.
Overall, "Atlantic City" is a haunting, melancholic ballad that tells a story of dreams shattered and lives wasted, delivered through Springsteen's talented storytelling.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night
Violence has erupted in Philly where they have not only destroyed the chicken man's place of business but also his home.
Now they blew up his house, too
The violence in Philly has escalated further with the destruction of the chicken man's house.
Down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready
For a fight, gonna see what them racket boys can do
The people on the boardwalk are preparing for a brawl and want to see the power of the racket boys.
Now there's trouble busin' in from outta state
And the DA can't get no relief
Problems are arising from outside the state and the district attorney is helpless in resolving them.
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade
And the gamblin' commission's hangin' on by the skin of its teeth
There will likely be a violent conflict on the promenade, and the gambling commission is in a precarious position.
Well, now everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Everything has an end, but there is always a possibility that it will be reborn in the future.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Get ready and look good because you're meeting me tonight in Atlantic City.
Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
I tried to save money from my job, but the debts I owe are too large to be fully repaid by honest means.
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus
I withdrew everything I had from Central Trust and bought tickets for us to ride the Coast City Bus.
Now, baby, everything dies, honey, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Once again, everything has an expiration date, but it is not impossible for something to be revived.
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Get yourself looking presentable, and meet me tonight in Atlantic City.
Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I'll stay
Although our luck may have run out, and our relationship may have cooled, I will still be with you forever.
We're goin' out where the sands turnin' to gold now
Put on your stockings, baby, 'cause the nights gettin' cold and
Everything dies, baby, that's a fact but maybe
Everything that dies someday comes back
We are headed to a place where things can turn around for us. Put on your stockings because it's getting colder outside. Once again, there is hope that something that died could be reborn.
Now I've been lookin' for a job but it's hard to find
Down here it's just winners and losers
And don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
I've been seeking employment, but it's challenging. This area only has winners and losers, and it's best to avoid the losing side.
Well I'm tired of comin' out on this losin' end
So, honey, last night I met this guy
And I'm gonna do a little favor for him
I'm exhausted with always being on the losing side, so last night I met a guy and promised to help him out.
Well I guess everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Once again, there is a possibility for the rebirth of something that has died.
Fix your hair up nice, make yourself look pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Come meet me tonight in Atlantic City
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Meet me tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
(Tonight in Atlantic City)
Get yourself looking good, meet me tonight in Atlantic City, and join me in Atlantic City tonight. This is my repeated invitation to you for the night ahead.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ashleymonday298
The anguished howls in the background give this song a haunting quality that sticks with you long after the song is over.
@tracieramson9151
howls of lost souls waiting to come back as the song says
@tracieramson9151
Debts no HONEST man can pay...that's the story of life with COVID..those out of work had 2 choices..# 1 Live off credit cards if ya have them or live off the Food banks .not prices are going up on one thing and Up on another..Where did our American Dream Die and go off too and is it ever comin Back
@pattipaulsen7171
Perfectly said❤
@nicolebetz8484
I heard this song for the first time today while I was feeling really sad, missing my parents. Today would've been their 61st and 59th birthdays. I just know it was sent from them for me. ❤️
@catboi1188
Wow 🥺 young ...I miss my mother. Worst part of aging is experiencing the loss of our loved ones 😢
@eudaimoniac7143
Wow!!!!! My parents shared the same birthday 9/22. My father overdosed on my 45th (4/5) birthday in one of those hotels that line Rte.30 (which is the road with the billboards). Thanks for sharing your pain. I come here because this was also the last song I sent him before he died. Music was our language!!! Thanks for being vulnerable. ❤
@enzothebaker22
I'm sorry that your folks are gone, it seems they were so young. I'm sure they would appreciate your memory of them. I have no advice but have been where you are; it'll be ok.
@williamannette558
What kind of narcissist are u? Lol
@darrenlangton3996
Is it just me, or does nobody feel that the Nebraska album is Bruce's rawest and finest work?