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)
It's Hard To Be A Saint
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
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I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova
I could walk like Brando right into the sun, then dance just like a Casanova
With my blackjack and jacket and hair slicked sweet
Silver star studs on my duds, just like a Harley in heat
When I strut down the street, I could feel its heart beat
The sisters fell back and said, "Don't that man look pretty"
The cripple on the corner cried out, "Nickels for your pity"
It's so hard to be a saint in the city
I was the king of the alley, Mama, I could talk some trash
I was the prince of the paupers, crowned downtown at the beggar's bash
I was the pimp's main prophet, I kept everything cool
Just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose
And when the heat came down it was left on the ground
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street
Showin' me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat
I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat
It's so hard to be a saint when you're just a boy out on the street
And the sages of the subway sit just like the living dead
As the tracks clack out the rhythm, their eyes fixed straight ahead
They ride the line of balance and hold on by just a thread
But it's too hot in these tunnels, you can get hit up by the heat
You get up to get out at your next stop, but they push you back in your seat
Your heart starts beatin' faster as you struggle to your feet
Then you're outa that hole and back up on the street
And then South Side sisters sure look pretty
The cripple on the corner cries out, "Nickels for your pity"
And then downtown boys, they sure talk gritty
It's so hard to be a saint in the city
Bruce Springsteen's song "It's Hard To Be A Saint in the City" is a song that is somewhat of a character study. It describes the life of a young man trying to make his way in the city streets. The first verse describes his appearance, which is tough and formidable. He exudes an air of danger and confidence. He catches the attention of women and beggars alike. However, despite his tough exterior, he finds it hard to resist the allure of sin. He is ultimately succumbing to its temptation, and the devil seems to gain the upper hand over him.
The second verse portrays the man in a slightly different light. While he is still powerful, he is also seen as a pimp's right-hand man. He keeps calm and collected in the face of danger, and he is able to think on his feet. However, his luck runs out, and he is forced to confront his own mortality. A devil-like figure seems to tempt him, and the young man feels his powerlessness. He is again drawn into sin and danger.
The final verse provides some hope for the young man. He sees the people around him, riding the subway like automatons, dead to the world. He yearns to escape this robotic way of life, this cycle of sin and danger. He eventually manages to claw his way out of the subway tunnels, back into the open air of the city streets. He sees the beauty around him and hopes to start a new life, where he can be a saint and resist temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
I had skin like leather and the diamond-hard look of a cobra
I had tough skin and a cold, intimidating demeanor.
I was born blue and weathered but I burst just like a supernova
I had a rough start in life but eventually exploded into something great.
I could walk like Brando right into the sun, then dance just like a Casanova
I had swagger and confidence, able to take on any challenge and charm anyone.
With my blackjack and jacket and hair slicked sweet
Silver star studs on my duds, just like a Harley in heat
I dressed like a tough guy, with a leather jacket, slicked back hair, and flashy accessories.
When I strut down the street, I could feel its heart beat
I had an irresistible presence, commanding attention and admiration wherever I went.
The sisters fell back and said, "Don't that man look pretty"
The cripple on the corner cried out, "Nickels for your pity"
Then gasoline boys downtown sure talk gritty
Women were drawn to me while others saw me as a target for charity or ridicule. Men in rough neighborhoods were always talking tough.
It's so hard to be a saint in the city
It's difficult to be virtuous and good-hearted in a challenging, rough environment.
I was the king of the alley, Mama, I could talk some trash
I ruled the streets, with a mouth to match my tough reputation.
I was the prince of the paupers, crowned downtown at the beggar's bash
Despite being poor, I had a certain charm and charisma that earned me recognition and respect.
I was the pimp's main prophet, I kept everything cool
Just a backstreet gambler with the luck to lose
I was a smooth operator, able to keep things under control in a dangerous trade. But I still took risks and wasn't always lucky.
And when the heat came down it was left on the ground
The devil appeared like Jesus through the steam in the street
Showin' me a hand I knew even the cops couldn't beat
I felt his hot breath on my neck as I dove into the heat
When things got tough, I was left on my own. I encountered some dark forces and made a risky decision. I felt the weight of my actions, but pushed forward anyway.
And the sages of the subway sit just like the living dead
As the tracks clack out the rhythm, their eyes fixed straight ahead
They ride the line of balance and hold on by just a thread
The subway riders seem lifeless, going through the motions of daily life with little hope or joy. They're barely hanging on.
But it's too hot in these tunnels, you can get hit up by the heat
You get up to get out at your next stop, but they push you back in your seat
Your heart starts beatin' faster as you struggle to your feet
Then you're outa that hole and back up on the street
The subway is uncomfortable and dangerous, but people keep going in circles. Sometimes it's hard to break out, but when you do, you feel free.
And then South Side sisters sure look pretty
The cripple on the corner cries out, "Nickels for your pity"
And then downtown boys, they sure talk gritty
People's appearances and attitudes haven't changed much. Women still look good, those who need help still beg, and rough men still talk tough.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind