"I'm Goin' Down" was recorded in May 1982 during the first wave of Born in the U.S.A. sessions. The track went on and off and back on the short list to make the album, finally bumping "Pink Cadillac" out of a place and into the B-side queue.
The song peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles charts in fall 1985. It was the sixth of a record-tying seven Top 10 hit singles to be released from Born in the U.S.A.
There was some controversy surrounding the release of yet another single from the album, which had been out for well over a year at that point. Cliff Bernstein, manager of Def Leppard and Dokken, said "I think a sixth single is a little bit of overkill."
No music video or remixes were made for the song.
One of the least-performed Springsteen songs, "I'm Goin' Down" was irregularly played in the 1984 first leg of the Born in the U.S.A. Tour, then played not at all for a long stretch, then revived during the final summer 1985 leg, usually alternating with "Darlington County" in the set list.
After that tour, "I'm Goin' Down" disappeared from sight completely for almost two decades, until it made three appearances in 2003 during The Rising Tour. Indeed "I'm Goin' Down" was largely forgotten not only by the general rock and pop audience but by the Bruce faithful as well, who have seen in preference several non-single tracks from Born in the U.S.A., such as "Working on the Highway", "Bobby Jean", and "No Surrender", became standard parts of the Springsteen repertoire. The song had only been played 44 times live as of 2008.
By the mid-late 2000s, there was a modicum of renewed interest in the song, with Frank Black recording it on the 2006 compilation Snake Oil and in early 2008 Kid Harpoon and Florence and the Machine doing a cover of the song.
I'm Goin' Down
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel the heat coming 'round
I go to put my arm around you
And you give me a look like I'm way out of bounds
Well you let out one of your bored sighs
Well lately when I look into your eyes
Down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
We get dressed up and we go out, baby, for the night
We come home early burning, burning, burning in some fire fight
I'm sick and tired of you setting me up yeah
Setting me up just to knock-a knock-a knock-a me down
Down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down, hey now
I pull you close now baby but when we kiss I can feel a doubt
I remember back when we started
My kisses used to turn you inside out
I used to drive you to work in the morning
Friday night I'd drive you all around
You used to love to drive me wild yeah
But lately girl you get your kicks from just driving me down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, hey bopa d-d-down
I'm goin down, down, down, down
I'm goin down, hey bopa d-d-down
I'm goin down, down, down, yeah
I'm goin down, down, hey bopa hey bopa
Hey hey mmm bopa bopa well down
Hey babe mmm bopa bopa said down
Hey hey mmm bopa bopa well down
Hey hey mmm bopa bopa say
Hey unh say down, down, down, down, down
Hey down now, say down, down, down, down, down
"I'm Goin Down" is a song about a relationship that has lost its spark. The singer is in the car with his partner and trying to get close to her, but she clearly rejects him. The feeling of being unwanted and the lack of intimacy are causing the singer to feel miserable and low. The title "I'm Goin Down" refers to the emotional state of the singer, who feels like he is spiraling down into a deep depression because of the failing relationship.
The first verse of the song sets the scene for the narrative, with the singer sitting in the car outside his partner's house. He attempts to make a move on her but is met with rejection. The second verse suggests that the couple goes out for the night but returns home early due to a "fire fight," a situation that likely represents some kind of argument or disagreement between them. The singer then expresses frustration with his partner for setting him up, only to knock him down. He feels like he can't win with this person anymore.
The chorus, "I'm goin down, down, down, down," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the feeling of depression and hopelessness the singer is experiencing. The lyrics in the bridge reflect on the good times the couple had before the relationship soured but now they can't seem to reconnect on the same level. The song ends with the singer feeling defeated, unable to get close to his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
We sit in the car outside your house
The singer and their partner are in a car outside the partner's house
I can feel the heat coming 'round
The atmosphere around them is tense, perhaps due to an argument or unresolved issues
I go to put my arm around you
The singer attempts to show affection to their partner
And you give me a look like I'm way out of bounds
Their partner rejects the artist's attempt at physical touch
Well you let out one of your bored sighs
The partner expresses their disinterest and perhaps even boredom with the situation
Well lately when I look into your eyes
The singer notices a change in their partner's behavior and attitude towards them
Down, down, down, down
The singer repeats the phrase to emphasize their feeling of a downward spiral in their relationship
We get dressed up and we go out, baby, for the night
The artist and their partner go out together for the evening and make an effort to dress nicely
We come home early burning, burning, burning in some fire fight
The evening ends in conflict, leaving them feeling frustrated and angry
I'm sick and tired of you setting me up yeah
The artist is tired of feeling like their partner is intentionally causing problems in the relationship
Setting me up just to knock-a knock-a knock-a me down
Their partner is setting them up for failure and disappointment, causing the singer to feel like they are being knocked down
I pull you close now baby but when we kiss I can feel a doubt
The physical connection between the artist and their partner is no longer as strong as it once was, and there may be doubts about the relationship
I remember back when we started
The singer reflects on a time in the past when the relationship was happier and more fulfilling
My kisses used to turn you inside out
In the past, the singer's affection would strongly affect their partner
I used to drive you to work in the morning
The singer used to perform small acts of kindness for their partner, such as driving them to work
Friday night I'd drive you all around
The artist would spend time and energy taking their partner out and catering to their wants and needs
You used to love to drive me wild yeah
Their partner used to enjoy the artist's company and the attention they gave them
But lately girl you get your kicks from just driving me down
Recently, their partner seems to enjoy causing the singer emotional distress, rather than being content with their relationship
I'm goin down, down, down, down
The singer repeats the phrase to emphasize their feeling of a downward spiral in their relationship
Hey now
An interjection used to catch someone's attention or express surprise
Hey bopa d-d-down
A nonsensical phrase, perhaps used to express frustration or disappointment
Hey babe mmm bopa bopa said down
Another nonsensical phrase, used to express feelings of rejection and sadness
Hey hey mmm bopa bopa well down
Once again, the singer uses a series of sounds to convey their distress and dissatisfaction with their relationship
Hey hey mmm bopa bopa say
The artist continues to use a vocalization to express their emotions and feelings
Hey unh say down, down, down, down, down
The singer finishes the song with a repetition of the phrase, emphasizing their feelings of the relationship's decline
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steven Piluso
How this song wasn’t a mega hit I’ll never understand. This is such classic Bruce. This could easily have come from the Born to Run era. Love love love this song.
devorahacts
Bruce has always been more about live shows than billboard numbers. The notion that most bands don't play like this anymore is true.
Nicky Martinez
The song was 1 of the 7 Top 10 singles from the 12 song USA album. I believe 1 of the last 3 singles released n went to # 6 or #9. They were gonna release 1 more either Bobby Jean or No Surrender but let it be.
actuallytom
This is definitely my favourite version of this song! The guitar intro, the saxophone solos, Bruce's VOICE, and the way he conducted the entire band like the true Maestro he is, all perfect!! Bruce and the Mighty E Street Band are Eternal! Keep rockin'!
Jacopo Dell'Orto
That's right. I am an italian fan, Bruce Is my favourite Singer since i was 10. In july there Is the concert here in Monza, i am alredy excited. I am Sorry but my english Is not perfect HHahahahahaha
philippe ukalovic
S
Ilsgl x😊
Barry Obama
@Jacopo Dell'Ortodid you go to Monza concert 🤷🏻♂️❓
Jacopo Dell'Orto
@Barry Obama of course
Barry Obama
@Jacopo Dell'Orto 🤘🏽🤘🏽🎸🎸🤘🏽🤘🏽
Prime Beef
My cousin took me to see him out of the blue one night. I’ll put Bruce right next to Pink Floyd as the best concerts I’ve ever seen. Bruce played for 3 hours straight, no opening band, no lighting/stage show. Just a man and his band getting it done. Excellent all the way around.