Human Touch
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well, the world just strips away

Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well, you can wait on your blessin's, my darlin'
I got a deal for you right here

I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight

Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch

Oh girl, that feeling of safety you prize
Well, it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train

So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up
And a little paint

You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that human touch

Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch




Give me a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch

Overall Meaning

The song Human Touch by Bruce Springsteen is about the need for human connection and the desire to feel loved and understood. It speaks about how everyone has felt broken and hurt at some point, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve to have someone to talk to and connect with. The first verse talks about how the singer and the person he's singing to were once pretending to be something they weren't, but have now let their true selves slip away. He then goes on to talk about how the world can strip away things that you're not willing to surrender.


The second verse speaks about the harshness of the world, and how there's no mercy or miracles to be found. The singer offers the person he's addressing a deal, saying that he's not looking for praise or pity, but just wants a little human touch, and someone to talk to. The chorus repeats the sentiment, adding that feeling safe comes at a high price, and that everyone needs something to hold onto, even if the answers they get don't amount to much.


Overall, Human Touch is a song about the basic human need for connection and how it can sometimes feel like the world is a harsh and unforgiving place. It showcases Springsteen's ability to write honest and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with his listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

You and me we were the pretenders
You and I were never genuinely who we presented ourselves to be


We let it all slip away
We allowed everything we had to escape from us


In the end what you don't surrender
Ultimately, what you refuse to relinquish


Well, the world just strips away
The universe will eventually deprive you of it


Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
The world is cold and unforgiving, especially towards those it doesn't know


Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Don't expect any miracles to occur


Well, you can wait on your blessin's, my darlin'
You can choose to wait for divine intervention if you please


I got a deal for you right here
However, I have a much more tangible solution


I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I don't need your recognition or sympathy


I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I'm not here seeking someone to lean on


I just want someone to talk to
All I truly require is a listening ear


And a little of that human touch
Plus, some simple human interaction will suffice


Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
The community is ruthless


Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
You can't rely on divine intervention


Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
No one is profiting from the trauma inflicted upon others


It's just you and me tonight
Currently, it's just us who're sharing this experience


Tell me, in a world without pity
Imagine a world entirely devoid of empathy


Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
Would you consider my request to be excessive?


I just want something to hold on to
All I want is something to cling onto


And a little of that human touch
And a bit of physical affection would help too


Oh girl, that feeling of safety you prize
The security you seek after isn't cheap


Well, it comes at a hard hard price
It oftentimes comes at a great cost


You can't shut off the risk and the pain
It's impossible to get rid of the possibility of danger and hurt


Without losin' the love that remains
But by doing so, you risk forfeiting the remaining love in your life


We're all riders on this train
Everyone is riding through life together


So you've been broken and you've been hurt
You may have endured hardship and pain before


Show me somebody who ain't
But, who hasn't?


Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
I understand that I'm not a prize possession to anyone


But, hell, a little touch up
However, a bit of improvement could go a long way


And a little paint
Just like adding paint to a rough surface


You might need somethin' to hold on to
You may also require something to cling onto


When all the answers, they don't amount to much
In times of difficulty, solutions may not be readily forthcoming


Somebody that you could just to talk to
All you need is someone to talk to


And a little of that human touch
And a bit of physical affection wouldn't hurt either


Baby, in a world without pity
Imagine a world with total apathy


Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
Is my request too much to ask?


I just want to feel you in my arms
All I crave is to hold you in my arms


Share a little of that human touch
And have some physical contact through the process


Feel a little of that human touch
And I want to feel it reciprocated


Share a little of that human touch
And I want to give some back as well


Feel a little of that human touch
Because physical human interaction is necessary for our sanity


Give me a little of that human touch
My only request is that I receive a bit of it too




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@juancamacho5746

You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well, the world just strips away
Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well, you can wait on your blessin's, my darlin'
I got a deal for you right here
I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight
Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Oh girl, that feeling of safety you prize
Well, it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train
🎵🎶🎵🎶
So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up
And a little paint
You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch



All comments from YouTube:

@richardb3363

Independence Day 1985. A beautiful warm evening at Wembley Stadium. Four hours of listening to the great works of this brilliant guy. One of my greatest memories.

@marcdaniels9079

I was there 👍

@kimberlyl9844

I remember the first time I heard Human Touch on the radio. It was in the middle of the night. I was driving and became so caught up in the song that I forgot that I was delivering newspapers and missed an entire neighborhood. It remains one of the most hauntingly beautiful masterpieces I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Timeless.

@Nicole19989

Same here. An utterly moving song, after all these years.

@dashcan8479

God bless you Kimberly. Same effect for me driving across the country. That song took me 3,500 miles. I might have to go back.

@marlenelyles

Love my Bruce Springsteen ❤️🙏

@user-dy3il3ut7f

Masterpiece

@judym7739

This and Tunnel of Love; brilliant songs from a simpler time.

@user-ty7vo1fn8g

Why does every radio station always play Born in the USA, when he has written so many other amazing, amazing songs like this one - this, in my opinion is one of his absolute best! The River and Tougher Than The Rest are a couple of other classics - his solo harmonica in both of them is just unbelievable!

@mirkodisilverio6032

Because Born in the USA is the most famous album, not only for 🤑 questions, but also for the "interpretation" that Bush ( if I remember right) do of the song and how Springsteen answer.

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