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)
Mr. Outside
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mr outside he's just havin' his fun
Mr outside
He's just looking out for number one
Well Mr outside
All your money and your power
Won't help you come the dark hour
You're left another thief out on the street
Mr outside yeah he don't care
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Mr outside oh, looking out for number one
Dark glasses and money for hire
And high tension wire
He got long dark, dark Cadillac
He got pretty little little girl in back
Mr outside oh yeah he don't care
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Mr outside just looking out for number one
Oh little baby got no diamond ring
You cry cause you ain't got no pretty things
Them pretty things babe just look dumb
You gotta take 'em when they come
Mr outside oh lord he don't care
Mr outside oh has his fun
Mr outside he's just looking out for No 1
Mr outside oh yeah he don't care
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Mr outside he's just looking out for No 1
The lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's song "Mr. Outside" depict a character who is self-centered and indifferent to the opinions and feelings of others. The nickname "Mr. Outside" implies that this person is separate from society and chooses to live on the outskirts, not conforming to societal norms and expectations. He is described as someone who is solely focused on his own enjoyment and looking out for himself, regardless of the consequences.
The first stanza introduces Mr. Outside as someone who doesn't care about what others think of him. He embraces his outsider status and enjoys the freedom it brings. The repetition of the line "Mr. outside, he's just having his fun" reinforces the idea that he is living life on his own terms.
The second stanza delves deeper into the character's personality. Despite his wealth and power, Mr. Outside is warned that these things won't save him in times of darkness or crisis. The line "kingdoms crumble to your feet, you're left another thief out on the street" suggests that even though he may appear successful, he is ultimately only interested in his own gain and will be left with nothing when his facade crumbles.
The third stanza describes Mr. Outside's outward image. He wears dark glasses to hide his true intentions and "money for hire" implies that he can use his wealth to manipulate others. The mention of a "long dark Cadillac" and a "pretty little girl in back" further emphasizes his hedonistic lifestyle, where he seeks pleasure and superficial connections.
The fourth stanza introduces another perspective, that of a woman who is not enticed by material possessions. She doesn't have a diamond ring or other luxurious items, but she understands that these things are not what truly matter. The line "you gotta take 'em when they come" suggests that she values genuine experiences over material wealth.
Overall, "Mr. Outside" serves as a critique of a person who prioritizes their own desires and selfishly pursues their own happiness, regardless of the consequences or the impact on others. It highlights the emptiness of seeking fulfillment solely through material possessions and fleeting pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
They call him Mr outside cause he don't care
He is known as Mr. Outside because he has a lack of concern or indifference
Mr outside he's just havin' his fun
He is simply enjoying himself without any restrictions or worries
Mr outside
Referring to him as Mr. Outside again, emphasizing his detached nature
He's just looking out for number one
He is solely focused on his own interests and desires
Well Mr outside
Addressing him as Mr. Outside again, highlighting his persona
All your money and your power
Even with all your wealth and influence
Won't help you come the dark hour
It won't provide assistance in times of difficulty or adversity
Well kingdoms crumble to your feet
Even empires and powerful structures collapse in your presence
You're left another thief out on the street
After everything falls apart, you're just another dishonest person
Mr outside yeah he don't care
Reiterating his lack of concern as Mr. Outside
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Continuing to emphasize his enjoyment without any regard
Mr outside oh, looking out for number one
Again emphasizing his self-oriented mindset as Mr. Outside
Dark glasses and money for hire
Wearing sunglasses and paying for services
And high tension wire
Engaging in dangerous activities or situations
He got long dark, dark Cadillac
He owns a luxurious, mysterious black Cadillac
He got pretty little little girl in back
He has an attractive young woman accompanying him
Mr outside oh yeah he don't care
Reiterating his indifference as Mr. Outside
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Continuing to highlight his carefree enjoyment
Mr outside just looking out for number one
Once again emphasizing his self-centered focus
Oh little baby got no diamond ring
The baby doesn't possess any expensive jewelry
You cry cause you ain't got no pretty things
The baby is upset because it lacks material possessions
Them pretty things babe just look dumb
Those material items appear foolish and insignificant
You gotta take 'em when they come
You should accept them when they are available or offered
Mr outside oh lord he don't care
Once again acknowledging his lack of concern as Mr. Outside
Mr outside oh has his fun
Continuing to emphasize his enjoyment without regard
Mr outside he's just looking out for No 1
Reiterating his self-centered focus as Mr. Outside
Mr outside oh yeah he don't care
Again emphasizing his indifference as Mr. Outside
Mr outside he's just having his fun
Continuing to highlight his carefree enjoyment
Mr outside he's just looking out for No 1
Once more emphasizing his self-oriented mindset as Mr. Outside
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind