I'm Going Down
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

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