In 1973, Springsteen released his first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle, neither of which earned him a large audience. He changed his style and reached worldwide popularity with Born to Run in 1975. It was followed by Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and The River (1980), which topped the US Billboard 200 chart. After the solo recording, Nebraska (1982), he reunited with the E Street Band for Born in the U.S.A. (1984), his most commercially successful album and one of the best-selling albums of all time. Seven of its singles reached the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100, including the title track. Springsteen recorded his next three albums, Tunnel of Love (1987), Human Touch (1992), and Lucky Town (1992) using mostly session musicians. He reassembled the E Street Band for 1995's Greatest Hits, then recorded the sparse acoustic The Ghost of Tom Joad, followed by the EP Blood Brothers (1996), his last release of the decade.
Springsteen dedicated his 2002 album The Rising to the victims of the September 11 attacks. He released two more folk albums, Devils & Dust (2005) and We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006), followed by two more albums with the E Street Band: Magic (2007) and Working on a Dream (2009). The next two, Wrecking Ball (2012) and High Hopes (2014), topped album charts worldwide. His latest releases include the solo Western Stars (2019), the E Street Band-featuring Letter to You (2020) and a solo cover album Only the Strong Survive (2022). When Letter to You went to No.2 in the US, Springsteen became the first artist to score a Top Five hit across six consecutive decades.
Among the album era's prominent acts, Springsteen has sold more than 140 million records worldwide and more than 71 million in the United States, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists. He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Special Tony Award (for Springsteen on Broadway). Springsteen was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009, named MusiCares person of the year in 2013, and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016. He ranked 23rd on Rolling Stone's list of the Greatest Artists of All Time, which described him as being "the embodiment of rock & roll".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Springsteen
Studio albums
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)
The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle (1973)
Born to Run (1975)
Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978)
The River (1980)
Nebraska (1982)
Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
Tunnel of Love (1987)
Human Touch (1992)
Lucky Town (1992)
The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995)
The Rising (2002)
Devils & Dust (2005)
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006)
Magic (2007)
Working on a Dream (2009)
Wrecking Ball (2012)
High Hopes (2014)
Western Stars (2019)
Letter to You (2020)
Only the Strong Survive (2022)
4th of July Asbury Park
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this fourth of July
Down in town the circuit's full of switchblade lovers so fast, so shiny, so sharp
As the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark
And the boys from the casino dance
With their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
Chasin' all them silly New York virgins by the score
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh love me tonight for I may never see you again
Hey Sandy girl
My, my baby
Now the greasers, ah they tramp the streets
Or get busted for sleeping on the beach all night
Them boys in their high heels ah Sandy their skins are so white
And me I just got tired of hangin' in them dusty arcades
Bangin' them pleasure machines
Chasin' the factory girls underneath the boardwalk
Where they all promise to unsnap their jeans
And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag
I got on it last night and my shirt got caught
And they kept me spinnin' I didn't think I'd ever get off
Oh Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
This pier lights our carnival life on the water
Laughin' 'neath the boardwalk, ah, with the boss's daughter
I remember Sandy girl, na, na, na, na, na baby
Sandy that waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me
I spoke with her last night
She said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
She worked that joint under the boardwalk
She was always the girl you saw boppin' down the beach with the radio
The kids say last night she was dressed like a star
In one of them cheap little seaside bars
And I saw her parked with lover boy out on the Kokomo
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
For tellin' fortunes better than they do
For me this boardwalk life is through, babe
You ought to quit this scene too
Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my, my baby
Yeah, I promise, Sandy, girl
Sha, la, la, la, la, baby
"4th of July, Asbury Park" is a song that tells a story of a summer night in Asbury Park, New Jersey, during the Fourth of July celebrations. The first stanza creates a vivid picture of the scene on the streets, where fireworks are lighting up the sky and switchblade lovers roam the circuit. The singer takes note of the "boys from the casino" who dance in open shirts, chasing after "silly New York virgins by the score." The mesmerizing aura of Sandy comes into the picture, and the singer pleads with her to love him tonight, promising that he'll love her forever.
The second and third stanzas introduce us to the "greasers" who tramp the streets, and the dusty arcades where the singer used to hang out. He remembers chasing the factory girls underneath the boardwalk, where they promised to "unsnap their jeans." The last verse suggests that the singer's life on the boardwalk is over, and he urges Sandy to quit the scene too.
The song captures the essence of a typical summer night on the Jersey Shore with its carnival life, young love, and fleeting romance. Springsteen paints a vivid picture of the boardwalk culture where working-class kids chase after factory girls and the boys from the casino dance with New York virgins. The lyrics also hint at the transience of this culture, where even the waitresses lose their desire for their lovers and move on to other people.
Line by Line Meaning
Sandy the fireworks are hailin' over little Eden tonight
Fireworks are lighting up the sky over Asbury Park, New Jersey on the Fourth of July
Forcin' a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this fourth of July
People who have been left behind by life in Asbury Park are looking up at the fireworks, hoping to find some joy in the spectacle
Down in town the circuit's full of switchblade lovers so fast, so shiny, so sharp
There are dangerous people with switchblades in the city who are looking for a fight
As the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark
A band is playing on the boardwalk late into the night, adding to the festive atmosphere
And the boys from the casino dance
Men who work at the local casino are dancing on the beach
With their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
These men are dressed seductively and are trying to impress the women around them
Chasin' all them silly New York virgins by the score
The men are trying to attract the attention of young women visiting from New York City
And Sandy, the aurora is risin' behind us
The aurora and the fireworks symbolize new beginnings and hope for the future
This pier lights our carnival life forever
The boardwalk and the pier are the heart of Asbury Park's carnival culture, which will continue for years to come
Oh love me tonight for I may never see you again
The artist is expressing their desire for connection and intimacy, not knowing what tomorrow may bring
Hey Sandy girl
The singer is addressing someone named Sandy, who he is romantically interested in
Now the greasers, ah they tramp the streets
Young men who identify as greasers are walking around Asbury Park
Or get busted for sleeping on the beach all night
Some of the greasers have been arrested for sleeping on the beach overnight
Them boys in their high heels ah Sandy their skins are so white
Other men in Asbury Park are flaunting their fashion sense, wearing high heels and showing off their pale skin
And me I just got tired of hangin' in them dusty arcades
The singer has grown tired of spending time in outdated arcades
Bangin' them pleasure machines
The artist has grown tired of playing the games in the arcades
Chasin' the factory girls underneath the boardwalk
The artist has been pursuing women who work in the factories near the boardwalk
Where they all promise to unsnap their jeans
These women have made sexual advances towards the singer
And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag
The singer is referring to a popular carnival ride on the south beach of Asbury Park
I got on it last night and my shirt got caught
The artist rode the tilt-a-whirl and got his clothes stuck in the ride
And they kept me spinnin' I didn't think I'd ever get off
The artist had a thrilling and disorienting experience on the ride
Laughin' 'neath the boardwalk, ah, with the boss's daughter
The artist has shared a good laugh with the daughter of someone in power in Asbury Park
I remember Sandy girl, na, na, na, na, na baby
The singer is still enamored with Sandy and continues to think about her
Sandy that waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me
The artist had been romantically involved with a waitress named Sandy who has grown disinterested in him
I spoke with her last night
The singer recently talked to Sandy
She said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
Sandy is no longer willing to go to great lengths to make the singer happy
She worked that joint under the boardwalk
Sandy used to work at a bar or nightclub located under the boardwalk in Asbury Park
She was always the girl you saw boppin' down the beach with the radio
Sandy was known for dancing on the beach while listening to the radio
The kids say last night she was dressed like a star
The younger people in Asbury Park are gossiping about Sandy dressing up and looking glamorous
In one of them cheap little seaside bars
Sandy was seen at one of the more affordable bars located by the beach
And I saw her parked with lover boy out on the Kokomo
The singer witnessed Sandy spending time with another man out on the Kokomo, an area of Asbury Park known for its bars and nightlife
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
Madame Marie, a well-known fortune teller from Asbury Park, was recently arrested by the police
For tellin' fortunes better than they do
Madame Marie was arrested for reportedly being more accurate in her fortune telling than the police are in solving crimes
For me this boardwalk life is through, babe
The artist is no longer interested in the carnival culture of Asbury Park
You ought to quit this scene too
The singer advises Sandy to leave Asbury Park and find a better life elsewhere
Oh love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
The artist is asking Sandy for one more night of love, promising to cherish her forever if she agrees
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
The singer wants Sandy to know that he is sincere in his desire to be with her
My, my, my, my, my baby
The singer addresses Sandy as his baby, showing affection
Yeah, I promise, Sandy, girl
The singer reiterates his promise to love Sandy forever
Sha, la, la, la, la, baby
The artist sings a melodious refrain to Sandy, expressing his infatuation with her
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wavy811
[Verse 1]
Sandy, the fireworks are hailing over Little Eden tonight
Forcing a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this warm July
Down in the town, the Circuit's full of switchblade lovers, so fast, so shiny, so sharp
As the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark
And the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers on the shore
Chasing all them silly New York virgins by the score
[Chorus]
And Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight, for I may never see you again
Hey, Sandy girl
My, my, baby
[Verse 2]
Now, the greasers, ah, they tramp the streets
Or get busted for sleeping on the beach all night
Them boys in their high heels, ah, Sandy
Their skins are so white
And me, I just got tired of hanging in them dusty arcades, banging them pleasure machines
Chasing the factory girls underneath the boardwalk
Where they all promise to unsnap their jeans
And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag
I got on it last night and my shirt got caught
And they kept me spinning, babe, didn't think I'd ever get off
[Chorus]
Oh, Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life on the water
Running, laughing 'neath the boardwalk
Ah, with the boss' daughter
I remember, Sandy, girl
Na, na, na, na, na, baby
[Verse 3]
Sandy, that waitress I was seeing lost her desire for me
I spoke with her last night, she said she won't set herself on fire for me anymore
She worked that joint under the boardwalk
She was always the girl you saw bopping down the beach with the radio
The kids say last night she was dressed like a star
In one of them cheap little seaside bars
And I saw her parked with lover boy out on the Kokomo
Did you hear the cops finally busted Madame Marie
For tellin' fortunes better than they do
For me this boardwalk life's through, babe
You ought to quit this scene, too
[Chorus]
Sandy, the aurora is rising behind us
This pier lights our carnival life forever
Oh, love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
Oh, I mean it, Sandy, girl
My, my, my, my, my baby
Yeah, I promise, Sandy, girl
Sha, la, la, la, la, baby
Eddy manijean
Sandy the fireworks are hailin' over Little Eden tonight
Sandy, les feux d'artifice sont en train de saluer au dessus de Petit Paradis ce soir
Forcin' a light into all those stoned-out faces left stranded on this Fourth of July
Imposant une lumière sur tous ces visages de pierre abandonnés en ce 4 Juillet
Down in town the circuit's full with switchblade lovers so fast so shiny so sharp
Là-bas en ville, le circuit est plein d'amoureux du cran d'arrêt, si rapides, si brillants, si précis
And the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark
Et les magiciens joue le long du Chemin du Flipper sur le ponton en bois après l'obscurité
And the boys from the casino dance with their shirts open like Latin lovers along the shore
Et les gars du casino dansent la chemise ouverte comme des séducteurs latinos le long du rivage
Chasin' all them silly New York girls
Pourchassant leurs petites idiotes New-Yorkaises
Sandy the aurora is risin' behind us
Sandy, le jour se lève derrière nous
The pier lights our carnival life forever
L'embarcadère illumine notre vie de carnaval pour toujours
Love me tonight for I may never see you again
Aime moi ce soir, parce que je ne vais peut-être jamais te revoir
Hey Sandy girl
Hey, petite Sandy
Now the greasers they tramp the streets
Maintenant, les Mexicanos, ils traînent dans les rues
Or get busted for trying to sleep on the beach all night
Ou se font arrêter parce qu'ils essaient de dormir sur la plage toute la nuit
Them boys in their spiked high heels ah Sandy their skins are so white
Ces gars dans leurs talons aiguilles, ah Sandy, leurs peaux sont si blanches
Et moi je suis juste fatigué de m'accrocher à eux dans leurs salles de jeux poussièreuses
Et moi je suis juste fatigué de m'accrocher à eux dans leurs salles de jeux poussièreuses
Où ils cognent leurs machines à plaisir
Où ils cognent leurs machines à plaisir
Chasin' the factory girls underneath the boardwalk where they promise to unsnap their jeans
Pourchassant les filles de l'usine sous le ponton où elles promettent de déboutonner leur jeans
And you know that tilt-a-whirl down on the south beach drag
Et tu sais qu'il y a un manège de montagnes russes là bas sur la plage du sud
I got on it last night and my shirt got caught
Je suis monté dessus hier soir et ma chemise s'est accrochée
And that Joey kept me spinnin' I didn't think I'd ever get off
Et ce Joey a continué à me faire tourner, je ne pensais pas que je pourrais descendre un jour
Oh Sandy the aurora is risin' behind us
Sandy, le jour se lève derrière nous
The pier lights our carnival life on the water
L'embarcadère illumine notre vie de carnaval sur l'eau
Runnin' down the beach at night with my boss's daughter
Descendant la plage en courant le soir avec la fille de mon patron
Well he ain't my boss no more Sandy
Ouais, ce n'est plus mon patron Sandy
Sandy, the angels have lost our desire for us
Sandy, les anges ont perdu leur desir pour nous
I spoke to 'em just last night and they said they won't set themselves on fire for us anymore
Je leur ai parlé hier soir et ils ont dit qu'ils ne s'embraseront plus jamais pour nous
Every summer when the weather gets hot they ride that road down from heaven
Chaque été, quand le temps se réchauffe, ils prennent cette route qui descend du Paradis
On their Harleys they come and they go
Sur leurs Harleys, ils viennent et ils partent
And you can see 'em dressed like stars
Et tu peux les voir habillés comme des vedettes
In all the cheap little seashore bars
Dans tous les petits bars bon marchés du bord de mer
Parked making love with their babies out on the Kokomo
Faisant l'amour à leurs chéries sur les parkings, là sur le Kokomo
Well the cops finally busted Madame Marie for tellin' fortunes better than they do
Ouais les flics ont finalement arrêté Madame Marie parce qu'elle prédisait l'avenir mieux qu'eux
This boardwalk life for me is through
Cette vie de ponton pour moi c'est fini
You know you ought to quit this scene too
Tu sais tu devrais quitter ces lieux aussi
Sandy the aurora's rising behind us,
Sandy, le jour se lève derrière nous
The pier lights our carnival life forever
L'embarcadère illumine notre vie de carnaval pour toujours
Oh love me tonight and I promise I'll love you forever
Oh aime moi ce soir, et je promets que je t'aimerai pour toujours
Pete Johnston
I love the Jersey shore...yes, I was born and raised in South Jersey and going to the beaches in the summer is ingrained in my memories...listening to this wonderful artist named Bruce Springsteen. I just turned 63 on June 28th 2023. I wished to God that I could turn back time just for a short while.... I know that I'm not alone in those thoughts. Happy 4th of July everyone.
calbassas87
I might be in the minority but I think this is Springsteen’s greatest song. It’s perfect. The lyrics are so dazzling and descriptive. That last verse gives me chills every time
Paul Viastra
I agree. I never liked bruce... especially after he became known as "obama girl's bathroom bruce". This is one of two or three of his songs I like. It's actually a great "love song". He kinda dumped Sandy & now he's begging her to come back.
Ernie Mazariego
i agree
al metz
What an awesome singer and songwriter he is a true poet of our time he is incredible too bad ticket sales are getting out of control I know it's not his fault enjoy your summer everyone LOL
Tim O' Flea
Lighting in a bottle, Sandy 4th of July Asbury Park captures the essence of all those summer nights and sweet, sweet teenage angst. Listening, I am back at the boardwalk, her hand on my arm, I can almost touch the sand on her skin, catch the scent of Coppertone suntan lotion, sea salt and sweat commingled and infused by the sun and the warmth of her skin and feel the tingle of gooseflesh as I drape my windbreaker around her bare shoulders... the breeze, the calls of the gulls and the carnival carousel sounds and all those spirits in the night... 🎠🎡
stephen martin
the perfect summer song of my youth..along with "nightmoves" by Bob Seeger..takes me back, takes me way way back..to "Hyndford street" with Van the msn..those were the days1💚👌🏻🤠👍🏻🍻🍾🎸👊🏻🎶
c j
Amazing! I just need to catch my breath. For a few minutes I am in 1975 again.
TheFarmrBoy
hands down one of the most underrated springsteen songs out there. the emotion bruce puts into his songs is almost unbelievable. god how I wish I was born 30 years earlier.
Jacob Ladin
early springsteen often gets overlooked, but in my opinion these were his best.. he paints a picture with every song