Born to Run
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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In the day we sweat it out on the streets
Of a runaway American dream
At night we ride through the mansions of glory
In suicide machines
Sprung from cages on Highway 9
Chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin' out over the line
Oh, baby this town rips the bones from your back
It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
We gotta get out while we're young
'Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
Yes, girl, we were

Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I wanna guard your dreams and visions
Just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims
And strap your hands 'cross my engines
Together we could break this trap
We'll run 'til we drop, baby, we'll never go back
Oh, will you walk with me out on the wire?
'Cause, baby, I'm just a scared and lonely rider
But I gotta know how it feels
I want to know if love is wild
Babe, I want to know if love is real
Oh, can you show me

Beyond the Palace, hemi-powered drones
Scream down the boulevard
Girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
And the boys try to look so hard
The amusement park rises bold and stark
Kids are huddled on the beach in the mist
I wanna die with you, Wendy, on the street tonight
In an everlasting kiss

(One, two, three, four)

The highway's jammed with broken heroes
On a last chance power drive
Everybody's out on the run tonight
But there's no place left to hide
Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness
I'll love you with all the madness in my soul
Oh, someday, girl, I don't know when
We're gonna get to that place
Where we really wanna go and we'll walk in the sun
But 'til then, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run

Oh honey, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run




Come on with me, tramps like us
Baby, we were born to run

Overall Meaning

Born to Run is a rock song by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1975 as the lead single from his album of the same name. The song captures the restless spirit of teenage life in small-town America, with its themes of youthful exuberance, love, and escape. The opening lines, "In the day we sweat it out on the streets / Of a runaway American dream", are a poetic invocation of this spirit, as the singer and his companions ride through the town in their "suicide machines," dreaming of escape from what he sees as a "death trap." Springsteen sings of the sense of hope and possibility that pervades youth, the conviction that everything is possible if only you have the courage to make the break: "We gotta get out while we're young / 'Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run."


Line by Line Meaning

In the day we sweat it out on the streets
During the day, we work hard on the streets


Of a runaway American dream
Trying to achieve our American dream that feels unattainable


At night we ride through the mansions of glory
During the night, we see the life of the rich and famous


In suicide machines
Risking our lives with our fast cars


Sprung from cages on Highway 9
We escaped from the monotony and constraints of our small town through Highway 9


Chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin' out over the line
We have fast cars that we enjoy driving and going beyond our limits


Oh, baby this town rips the bones from your back
This town can be grueling and hard on the body and mind


It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
This town can be dangerous and crippling


We gotta get out while we're young
We need to leave this town while we are still able


'Cause tramps like us, baby, we were born to run
Because we are restless and always on the move


Yes, girl, we were
Absolutely, we were


Wendy, let me in, I wanna be your friend
I want to be close to you and support you


I wanna guard your dreams and visions
I want to protect your aspirations and goals


Just wrap your legs 'round these velvet rims
Get on my bike and hold onto me tightly


And strap your hands 'cross my engines
Hold on tight to the motorcycle's handles


Together we could break this trap
We can escape this town together


We'll run 'til we drop, baby, we'll never go back
We will run as far as we can and never return


Oh, will you walk with me out on the wire?
Will you take a risk with me?


'Cause, baby, I'm just a scared and lonely rider
Because I am unsure and have fears


But I gotta know how it feels
But I want to experience life to its fullest


I want to know if love is wild
I want to experience a passionate and intense love


Babe, I want to know if love is real
I want to experience a genuine and authentic love


Oh, can you show me
Will you help me experience these feelings?


Beyond the Palace, hemi-powered drones
Outside our town, there are powerful cars


Scream down the boulevard
They make loud noises while driving on the street


Girls comb their hair in rearview mirrors
Women check their looks in the car mirrors


And the boys try to look so hard
And men try to look tough


The amusement park rises bold and stark
The amusement park is visible and overwhelming


Kids are huddled on the beach in the mist
Children are playing on the beach in the fog


I wanna die with you, Wendy, on the street tonight
I want to live life to the fullest with you, Wendy, tonight


In an everlasting kiss
Through a passionate and ongoing embrace.


(One, two, three, four)
A countdown to begin a fast pace


The highway's jammed with broken heroes
The road has stranded and beaten other individuals seeking their dreams


On a last chance power drive
Taking the opportunity to give it all we have while we can.


Everybody's out on the run tonight
Everyone is seeking change, escape or fulfillment.


But there's no place left to hide
There is nowhere else to run or hide


Together, Wendy, we can live with the sadness
We need to embrace the difficulties in life together


I'll love you with all the madness in my soul
I will love you with everything that I have inside.


Oh, someday, girl, I don't know when
Someday, we'll find what we're looking for, but who knows when?


We're gonna get to that place
We will find our destination


Where we really wanna go and we'll walk in the sun
Where we can finally walk freely under the sun and experience our dreams.


But 'til then, tramps like us
Until then, we are still wanderers,


Baby, we were born to run
Meant to follow the road and seek adventure.


Oh honey, tramps like us
Oh honey, we're wanderers


Baby, we were born to run
Born to be adventurers.


Come on with me, tramps like us
Join me on this road, fellow wanderers


Baby, we were born to run
Because we were born to seek the unknown and the thrill of adventure.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ryanmon1212

This was my Dads favorite song. He unfortunately passed away 3 days ago...Dad i'm playing this song loud in the apartment for you.

@peterpreece5411

Hope you are ok ❤❤

@donknotts85

Sorry for your loss Ryan. What a FANTASTIC song to remember your dad to. Rest easy bro

@jonnymill5520

X

@CP-os1pc

It is my favorite God bless ur dad

@billwine590

Sorry for your loss. Your dad had great taste.

231 More Replies...

@markw4206

He really leaves nothing in the tank! Amazing.

@missellyssa

I mean...really.

@marcleventhal7806

One of the greatest live songs ever. The power, passion, and intensity, combined with the fans. Just going nuts. Awesome.

@jeanetsierra1223

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