Jazz Musician
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

Well it's Saturday night in New Jersey
It's a Saturday night in New Jersey, setting the scene for the song.

And you're feeling kinda wet
The singer is feeling a bit uncomfortable, perhaps sweaty from the summer heat.

Now the summer heat is getting you worried
The heat is becoming a source of anxiety for the singer.

So you try to look as innocent as you can as you sweat
The artist is attempting to look calm and innocent despite feeling hot and uncomfortable.

And you've got a woman on the other side of the law
The artist is involved with a woman who may be on the wrong side of the law.

But it ain't cool to go see her yet
The singer feels that it's not safe or wise to see this woman at this time.

Because her ex-old man's a city cop
The woman's ex-partner is a police officer.

Who thinks he's auditioning for Dragnet
The cop is taking his job very seriously and is perhaps somewhat rigid and humorless.

So you stand on the corner looking kinda torn
The artist is uncertain about what to do next.

And in the Blue Light Lounge
The Blue Light Lounge is a location that will become more significant later in the song.

Where death was born
This is a poetic description that sets a bleak tone for the scene that is about to unfold at the Blue Light Lounge.

The jazz musician blows his horn
The jazz musician is performing at the Blue Light Lounge.

You pop a letter to your baby in Richmond
The singer is writing a letter to a loved one in Richmond, Virginia.

'Cause you're feeling pretty down
The singer is feeling sad or depressed.

She's kinda small but at least she's a rich one
The singer's partner in Richmond may be physically small, but she has money.

Oh, and she needs you real bad
The artist's partner is in some kind of trouble or distress and needs the artist's help.

And sometimes that's all that counts
The artist values being needed and useful to others.

You had a teenage band and flying hands
The singer was in a band as a teenager and was an impressive musician.

And oh, you was pretty big, you were pretty big in the South
The singer's band was popular in the southern United States.

But you passed out on stage and flew into a rage
The artist had some kind of breakdown during a performance.

And someone tried to revive you mouth to mouth
The artist may have experienced a medical emergency and required resuscitation.

You felt a pain in your chest
The artist experienced physical pain or discomfort.

As you passed the crown
The singer was perhaps passing out or losing consciousness.

And in the Blue Light Lounge
Once again, the Blue Light Lounge is mentioned.

The lights went down
Something significant is happening at the Blue Light Lounge, as the lights are being turned off.

And the audience slipped silently out of town
The audience at the Blue Light Lounge left without making noise.

Well now the atheist he burns you for laughing out loud
Atheists may ridicule or criticize religious or spiritual people for outward displays of faith, such as laughing.

Because he can't understand what you're saying
The artist's spiritual beliefs or perspective may be difficult for an atheist to comprehend or appreciate.

And the word's out when they pushed him in the hole
It's not clear who 'he' refers to, but perhaps it's someone who has died or been buried.

Everybody knows that he went out praying
Despite the singer's atheistic leanings, they acknowledge that many people find comfort in prayer, especially at the end of life.

Oh, now the park is dark but the sidewalk's bright
The contrast between the dark park and bright sidewalk creates an unusual and significant atmosphere.

And alive with the light of the living
The city is full of people and activity despite the darkness of the park.

Oh and mama can I walk you home tonight
The artist wants to accompany their mother home, perhaps because they feel protective of her or because it's unsafe for her to be alone.

'Cause it's a big bad city
The city is portrayed as dangerous or threatening.

And this boy's got a lot for the giving
The singer may have resources or abilities that they want to use to make a positive impact on the city or its inhabitants.

I'm stranded in the jungle
The artist feels lost or trapped in a difficult situation, symbolized by the jungle.

First stage witness at a company killing
The singer may have witnessed or been involved in a violent or deadly incident at their workplace.

I'm clutching my high school diploma, shuffling my feet
The singer could be feeling insecure or unsure of themselves, as evidenced by the nervous shuffling of their feet and the possession of their high school diploma, which may feel insignificant or unimpressive to them.

Promised sixty bucks a week
The singer's job may not pay well, indicating financial struggles.

And guaranteed top billing
Despite the low pay and unfortunate circumstances, the artist may have some sense of pride or achievement in being a lead performer at their job.

Well you can live a life of love in New York
Living in New York can allow for a life lived with love and passion.

Only if you don't, if you don't love living
However, if you don't enjoy living in New York or find it difficult to cope with the city's challenges, it won't be a fulfilling life.

And I met this taxi driver who drives me around town
The singer has encountered a taxi driver who they've likely had an interesting conversation with or who has shared stories about the city with them.

Telling tales of his back seat women
The taxi driver may have had romantic encounters with women he's picked up in his taxi backseat, although this could also be a colorful way of referring to women who have shared their stories or experiences with the driver.

And out on the corner there's no room to move
The artist may be surrounded by crowds of people on this corner, making it difficult to move or navigate.

'Cause everybody's trying so hard to groove
People may be dancing or moving to music on this corner, creating a lively and bustling scene.

And in the Blue Light Lounge
Once again, the Blue Light Lounge is mentioned, indicating its importance in the song as a setting or symbol.

The jazz musician plays his blues
The song ends with the jazz musician continuing to play music at the Blue Light Lounge, providing a sense of continuity and completion to the narrative.