Glory Days
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about was
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Well, there's a girl that lives up the block
Back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
And have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times
She says when she feels like crying
She starts laughing thinking about
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Think I'm going down to the well tonight
And I'm going to drink 'til I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
A little of the glory of, well time slips away
And leaves you with nothing mister but
Boring stories of
Glory days yeah they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Yeah, they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
In "Glory Days," Bruce Springsteen reflects on the passage of time and the way our memories from the past can become distorted and idolized as we get older.
The first verse introduces us to a friend who was once a talented baseball player in high school. This friend, whom the singer bumps into at a roadside bar, keeps reminiscing about the past and his former glory days. The lyrics suggest that despite the passing of time, this friend still holds onto his youthful achievements and longs for the adulation he once received.
The chorus, "Glory days well they'll pass you by, glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye," reinforces the transient nature of success and the way it can quickly fade away. It suggests that what we consider our best moments might be fleeting, like a girl's momentary glance, and emphasizes the importance of cherishing them while they last.
In the second verse, Springsteen introduces a girl who used to be a standout in school, capturing the attention of all the boys. However, her life has taken a different path, as she has now divorced her husband, Bobby. Despite the changes in her life, she still finds solace in reminiscing about the past and laughing instead of crying. This verse emphasizes that even when things change, our memories and past accomplishments can still hold significance and bring us comfort.
The final verse expresses a personal reflection from the singer, as he contemplates drinking from the well of memories and hoping that he doesn't become consumed by nostalgia as he gets older. He acknowledges that time slips away and can leave us with nothing more than mundane stories. However, the chorus reminds us that even though our glory days may pass us by, they still carry a special magic, forever imprinted in the blink of a young girl's eye.
Overall, "Glory Days" serves as a reminder to appreciate and cherish the meaningful moments in our lives, while also acknowledging that time moves forward and memories can both comfort and deceive us.
Line by Line Meaning
I had a friend was a big baseball player
I once knew a person who excelled at playing baseball
Back in high school
During our time in secondary education
He could throw that speedball by you
He had the ability to pitch a fast and elusive baseball
Make you look like a fool boy
His skill would leave you looking foolish
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I encountered him recently at a bar located on the side of a road
I was walking in, he was walking out
As I was entering, he was leaving
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
We returned inside, took a seat, and enjoyed some beverages
But all he kept talking about was
However, all he continued discussing was
Glory days well they'll pass you by
The prime moments in life will eventually slip away
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Times of greatness can disappear as quickly as a young girl's glance
Glory days, glory days
Those memorable times, oh those memorable times
Well, there's a girl that lives up the block
There is a woman residing nearby
Back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
During our education, she captured the attention of all the boys
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
Occasionally, on a Friday, I visit her place
And have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
We enjoy some beverages after she tucks her children in for the night
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
She and her spouse named Bobby have separated
I guess it's two years gone by now
I suppose two years have elapsed since then
We just sit around talking about the old times
We simply spend time reminiscing about the past
She says when she feels like crying
She mentions that when she experiences sadness
She starts laughing thinking about
She begins to laugh while reflecting on
Think I'm going down to the well tonight
I believe I will descend to the source this evening
And I'm going to drink 'til I get my fill
And I will consume alcohol until I am satisfied
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
I anticipate that as I age, I won't constantly dwell on these memories
But I probably will
Though it is likely that I will indeed do so
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
Yes, simply relaxing and attempting to regain
A little of the glory of, well time slips away
Some of the past splendor, but time slips away
And leaves you with nothing mister but
Leaving you with nothing, sir, aside from
Boring stories of
Uninteresting tales about
Glory days yeah they'll pass you by
The moments of greatness, indeed, they will fade away
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Times of grandeur can be gone in an instant, like a young girl's blink
Glory days, glory days
Those memorable times, oh those memorable times
Yeah, they'll pass you by
Yes, those moments will elude you
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Times of greatness can disappear as quickly as a young girl's glance
Glory days, glory days
Those memorable times, oh those memorable times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool
And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.
- Acts 3:19
If you’re in North America, please go check out any of the churches available to you: PCA, OPC, Rpcna/Rpc, Urcna, or a canrc church
(These are conservative and actual Presbyterian churches)
If you can’t find one of the conservative presby churches then, maybe a Lcms Lutheran church.
If you are Scottish, I recommend the Free Church of Scotland and the APC.
(Different from the Church of Scotland)
If you’re English I recommend the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England & Wales and the Free Church of England
(Different from the Church of England)
Also online you can look up church finders for each of the groups, it will show you locations.
@jebidiahnewkedkracker1801
You must have been a real "mover-n-shaker" (or held a very high seat at the "Cool-People'sTable" during lunch hour) in high school if so many people remembered you and your accomplishments so many years later. Me? I got booed at my ten year reunion....After coming up on stage, or in front of everyone to accept some prize I won. (No shit--I had no idea I was that unpopular... Will never go back to another one....Reunion, that is).....Though restraining orders have kept me away from, like "Booger,"** combing high schools for girlfriends....I especially liked "hunting" for girlfriends at the private all girl Catholic schools, even though I went to a public school--the uniforms those girls wore got me more "hot-n-bothered" than the cheerleading outfits that the girls at my school wore---except when they did those kicks, and twirled around so their skirts gave me a quick look at their little red "Victoria's Secrets" they wore. Unfortunately "Mercy High School in San Francisco has closed 😭😭😭
**Must see, or be familiar with, an early 80's movie called Revenge Of The Nerds to get this reference .
@bart70simpson
I had a friend, was a big baseball player
Back in high school
He could throw that speed ball by you
Make you look like a fool, boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside, sat down, had a few drinks
But all he kept talking about
Was glory days, well, they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Well, there's a girl that lives up the block
Back in school, she could turn all the boys' heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by and have a few drinks
After she put her kids to bed
Her and husband Bobby, well, they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times
She says when she feels like crying she starts laughing
Thinking about glory days, well, they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
I think I'm going down to the well tonight
I'm going to drink until I get my fill
And I hope when I get old, I don't sit around thinking about it
But I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back, trying to recapture
A little of the glory of
Well, the times slips away and leaves you with nothing, mister
But boring stories of
Glory days, yeah, they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
Yeah, they'll pass you by
Glory days, in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days
@jillkjv3816
This song came on the radio this morning as I drove through Starbucks. The guy at the server window smiled and started bobbing his head to the music and said, "Bruce!". He couldn't have been more than 22 years old. That's when you know you're timeless: you have staying power from someone like me at age 65, and from someone in their 20's. 😊
@jacquelinebrown4989
THE " BIG BOSS" Still Rocks on in 2023 🥰
@donna4976
Classic..Good memories 😊😊
@mikebrennan312
Friggin Unbelievable Song! It so Hits Home and makes you feel like a teenager again!!🎉
@RHYD_
I'm 22 and love this song! Sadly, no radio stations here in the UK seem to want to play Bruce's music - that's why I just rely on my playlists, guaranteed good music plays consistently!
@trishhill7563
My son is 22. We've talked about how a lot of 80's music is still relevant today. Even his friends have said "Yeah I know who they are. They're legends." In reference to people like Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Kiss just to name a few. I think that's pretty dang cool 😎
@doggydawgz
These lyrics hit harder with age 😢
@randy5655
All I do now is sit around and think about my glory days.
@giulianotoniolo
I remember when I got Born in The USA for Christmas in the mid 80s and it was the sound track of my own glory days. I look back at it now with a nostalgic feeling and Bruce and his gang was all part of it. Man oh man, does time fly quickly?
@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool
And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. — Jeremiah 29:13
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.
- Acts 3:19
If you’re in North America, please go check out any of the churches available to you: PCA, OPC, Rpcna/Rpc, Urcna, or a canrc church
(These are conservative and actual Presbyterian churches)
If you can’t find one of the conservative presby churches then, maybe a Lcms Lutheran church.
If you are Scottish, I recommend the Free Church of Scotland and the APC.
(Different from the Church of Scotland)
If you’re English I recommend the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England & Wales and the Free Church of England
(Different from the Church of England)
Also online you can look up church finders for each of the groups, it will show you locations.