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)
Come on
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shoot me
Shoot me
Shoot me
Here come old flat top
He come groovin' up slowly
He got ju-ju eyeball
He got hair down to his knees
Got to be a joker
He just do what he please, oh
Shoot me
Shoot me
He wear no shoeshine
He got toe jam football
He got monkey finger
He shoot Coca-Cola
He say I know you, you know me
Well, one thing I can tell you is
You got to be free
Come together, right now
Over me
Shoot me
Shoot me
Shoot me
Shoot me
He bag production
He got walrus gumboot
He got Ono sideboard
He one spinal cracker
He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair
You can feel his disease
Come together, right now
Over me
Shoot me
Shoot me
Right
Shoot me
Shoot me
Shoot me
He roller coaster
He got early warning
He got muddy water
He one mojo filter
He say one and one and one is three
Got to be good looking
'Cause he's so hard to see
Come together, right now
Over me
Shoot me
Shoot me
Come together
Come together
Come together
Come together
Shoot me
Shoot me
The lyrics to Bruce Springsteen’s song “Come On” contain an interesting blend of references that create a vivid sensory experience for the listener. The song begins with the repeated phrase “Shoot me,” which adds an unusual sense of urgency to the verse. The first stanza introduces a character known as “old flat top” who has a distinct image of someone who is eccentric and free-spirited. His appearance is described in detail with long hair and a ju-ju eyeball, which adds a sense of mysticism to his image.
The second stanza continues the imagery with the character’s peculiar physical attributes like toe jam football and monkey finger. He represents individuality and freedom with the line “you got to be free.” The chorus encourages listeners to come together over the character's strange but captivating personality.
The final stanza describes the character’s philosophy on life; he sees the world as a puzzle to put together, and he knows how hard that is due to his “mojo filter”. The song ends with the final repetition of “shoot me,” which can be interpreted in many ways, perhaps as an invitation to join the character's journey of self-discovery.
Overall, “Come On” is a strange but captivating ode to individuality and freedom. The song paints vivid imagery of a mysterious character who is unapologetically himself in a world that often demands conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Shoot me
The repetition of the phrase 'shoot me' is likely used to express a feeling of desperation and wanting to escape something or someone. It may also represent a desire for attention or to be taken seriously.
Here come old flat top
The arrival of 'old flat top' may signify an impending change or event. The use of 'flat top' as a descriptor could be a reference to a military haircut, which could suggest discipline or authority.
He come groovin' up slowly
The way 'old flat top' moves, 'groovin' up slowly,' suggests a confident or relaxed demeanor. He may be seen as cool or collected.
He got ju-ju eyeball
This line is open to interpretation, but 'ju-ju' could be a reference to black magic or superstition. The 'eyeball' could represent the power of observation or the ability to see beyond what is immediately visible.
He one holy roller
'Holy roller' may refer to a person who is deeply religious or spiritual. This aspect of 'old flat top's' identity could be seen as contrasting with his mysterious ju-ju eyeball.
He got hair down to his knees
'Old flat top's' long hair could be seen as a symbol of rebellion or nonconformity.
Got to be a joker
To 'be a joker' is to be playful or mischievous. This line could suggest that 'old flat top' doesn't take life too seriously and has a carefree attitude.
He just do what he please, oh
'Old flat top's' freedom to do what he wants may be a source of envy for some people. It could also suggest that he doesn't feel constrained by society's expectations or rules.
He wear no shoeshine
The fact that 'old flat top' doesn't wear shoeshine could be interpreted in many ways. It could suggest a lack of polish or elegance, or just a general disregard for appearances.
He got toe jam football
This line is open to interpretation, but 'toe jam' could represent something messy or unpleasant. 'Football' may be a reference to sports or competition. Together, they may suggest that 'old flat top' engages in activities that aren't always glamorous or easy.
He got monkey finger
'Monkey finger' could refer to the dexterity or nimbleness of 'old flat top's' hands, or it could refer to something more primal or wild.
He shoot Coca-Cola
The act of 'shooting' Coca-Cola could be seen as a rebellious or nonconformist act. It could also suggest a love of caffeine or sugar.
He say I know you, you know me
This line could suggest that 'old flat top' has a sense of familiarity or intimacy with the person he's addressing. It could also suggest that he sees through any pretense or facade.
Well, one thing I can tell you is
This line could be a precursor to a statement of wisdom or knowledge, or it could be a way of emphasizing the importance of what 'old flat top' is about to say.
You got to be free
The idea of 'being free' is a recurring theme throughout this song. Here, it may suggest that the listener needs to let go of something that is holding them back or limiting their potential.
He bag production
'Bag production' could be a reference to the act of gathering or collecting. It may suggest that 'old flat top' is a collector or curator of sorts.
He got walrus gumboot
'Walrus gumboot' is a nonsensical phrase that could be interpreted in many ways. It may be a reference to the Beatles song 'I Am the Walrus,' which is known for its surreal lyrics.
He got Ono sideboard
'Ono' is likely a reference to Yoko Ono, the wife of John Lennon. A 'sideboard' is a piece of furniture used for storage. Together, this line could suggest that 'old flat top' has a connection to Lennon or his work.
He one spinal cracker
To 'crack someone's spine' is a violent act, but in this context it may just refer to the act of making someone laugh or being entertaining. 'Old flat top' may be seen as someone who can lighten the mood or entertain a crowd.
He got feet down below his knee
This line is open to interpretation, but it may suggest that 'old flat top' is a unique or unconventional individual. Something about him doesn't quite fit with expectations or norms.
Hold you in his armchair
'Old flat top' may be seen as someone who is comforting or supportive. 'Holding' someone in an 'armchair' suggests a close, personal relationship.
You can feel his disease
This line is intended to be unsettling, but its meaning is unclear. It could suggest that being close to 'old flat top' is dangerous or unhealthy in some way.
He roller coaster
A 'roller coaster' is a fun, adventurous ride. This line may suggest that 'old flat top' is someone who is exciting or who brings excitement to others.
He got early warning
'Early warning' could be seen as a sign of intelligence or foresight. 'Old flat top' may be good at anticipating problems or challenges before they happen.
He got muddy water
'Muddy water' is opaque and unclear. This line may suggest that 'old flat top' is someone who is hard to read or understand.
He one mojo filter
'Mojo' is a colloquial term for personal power or magic. 'Filter' may suggest a way of refining or amplifying something. Together, this line may suggest that 'old flat top' is someone who has a way of channeling or amplifying his personal power or charisma.
He say one and one and one is three
The math in this line doesn't quite add up, which may be the point. It could suggest that 'old flat top' is someone who sees things differently or who defies conventional logic.
Got to be good looking
This line may suggest that appearances matter to 'old flat top.' It could also be interpreted as a way of saying that to be successful or attractive, one must have a certain something that isn't easily defined.
'Cause he's so hard to see
This line suggests that 'old flat top' is elusive or difficult to understand. It may also suggest that he is someone who doesn't fit into a neat category or stereotype.
Come together, right now
This is the chorus of the song, and it appears several times throughout. Its meaning is open to interpretation, but it may suggest a call to unity or togetherness.
Over me
This phrase appears at the end of each repetition of the chorus. It could be interpreted as an invitation for others to join in, or as a way of emphasizing 'me' as the center of attention.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind