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)
Rainmaker
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've been praying but no good comes
The dog's howling, home's stripped bare
We've been worried but now we're scared
People come for comfort or just to come
Taste the dark sticky potion or hear the drums
Hands raised to Yahweh to bring the rain down
Rainmaker, a little faith for hire
Rainmaker, the house is on fire
Rainmaker, take everything you have
Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad
They'll hire a rainmaker
(Rainmaker)
Rainmaker says white's black and black's white
Says night's day and day's night
Says close your eyes and go to sleep now
I'm in a burnin' field unloadin' buckshot into low clouds
Rainmaker, a little faith for hire
Rainmaker, the house is on fire
Rainmaker, take everything you have
Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad
They'll hire a rainmaker
Slow moving wagon drawing through a dry town
Painted rainbow, crescent moon and dark clouds
Brother patriot come forth and lay it down
Your blood brother for king and crown
For your rainmaker
They come for the smile, the firm handshake
They come for the raw chance of a fair shake
Some come to make damn sure, my friend
This mean season's got nothin' to do with them
They come 'cause they can't stand the pain
Of another long hot day of no rain
'Cause they don't care or understand
What it really takes for the sky to open up the land
Rainmaker, a little faith for hire
Rainmaker, the house is on fire
Rainmaker, take everything you have
Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad
They'll hire a rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
The lyrics to Bruce Springsteen's song "Rainmaker" depict a community in distress as they suffer from drought and desperation. The imagery of parched crops dying under a dead sun and the dog howling indicate the dire conditions they are facing. Despite their prayers and worries, they haven't received any relief. In their desperation, they turn to a rainmaker, someone who claims the ability to bring rain. The rainmaker becomes a symbol for hope, as people seek comfort and a solution to their troubles.
The song portrays the rainmaker as a manipulative figure who takes advantage of people's vulnerability. He presents himself as a savior, with the power to change things. However, he distorts reality, turning white into black, night into day, and persuading people to close their eyes and accept his false promises. The rainmaker is willing to exploit their desperation and take everything they have, offering a temporary escape from their suffering.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that people come to the rainmaker for various reasons. Some seek the chance for a fair opportunity, while others simply cannot bear another day of heat and drought. The song suggests that people are willing to believe in something so strongly, even if it may not be genuine or effective.
In summary, "Rainmaker" is a song that explores themes of desperation, manipulation, and the human need for hope in difficult times. It sheds light on the vulnerability of people when facing extreme circumstances and the lengths they are willing to go to find relief.
Line by Line Meaning
Parched crops dying 'neath a dead sun
The crops are suffering and dying because of the scorching heat and lack of rain.
We've been praying but no good comes
Despite our prayers, nothing positive or beneficial has happened.
The dog's howling, home's stripped bare
The dog is expressing distress while our home has been completely emptied and left with nothing.
We've been worried but now we're scared
We were concerned before, but our worry has escalated to fear.
People come for comfort or just to come
People seek solace or simply visit for various reasons.
Taste the dark sticky potion or hear the drums
They experience the effects of a mysterious and enticing substance, or listen to the sounds of drums.
Hands raised to Yahweh to bring the rain down
We raise our hands towards Yahweh, hoping for rain to fall and alleviate the drought.
He comes crawlin' 'cross the dry fields like a dark shroud
The Rainmaker arrives, moving slowly and stealthily through the arid fields, casting a gloomy presence.
Rainmaker, a little faith for hire
The Rainmaker offers his services in exchange for a small amount of faith.
Rainmaker, the house is on fire
The situation is dire, and the Rainmaker is desperately needed.
Rainmaker, take everything you have
The Rainmaker demands everything that you possess.
Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad
At times, people have an overwhelming desire to believe in something, no matter how desperate.
They'll hire a rainmaker
They will employ the services of a Rainmaker.
Rainmaker says white's black and black's white
The Rainmaker claims that what is usually seen as white is now black, and vice versa.
Says night's day and day's night
According to the Rainmaker, the distinction between night and day has been reversed.
Says close your eyes and go to sleep now
The Rainmaker instructs to shut one's eyes and fall asleep, disregarding the current situation.
I'm in a burnin' field unloadin' buckshot into low clouds
I am present in a scorching field, firing shots into clouds that hang low in the sky.
Slow moving wagon drawing through a dry town
A sluggish wagon passes through a barren town.
Painted rainbow, crescent moon and dark clouds
The wagon bears decorations of a painted rainbow, crescent moon, and ominous clouds.
Brother patriot come forth and lay it down
A fellow patriot is called upon to step forward and take action.
Your blood brother for king and crown
Your loyal sibling, willing to fight for the king and the crown.
For your rainmaker
In support of the Rainmaker.
They come for the smile, the firm handshake
People arrive seeking a friendly smile and a confident handshake.
They come for the raw chance of a fair shake
They come in hopes of obtaining an unfiltered opportunity for fairness.
Some come to make damn sure, my friend
Certain individuals arrive to ensure and confirm, my friend.
This mean season's got nothin' to do with them
The harsh and difficult period has no direct connection or relevance to their presence.
They come 'cause they can't stand the pain
They come because they cannot bear the agony any longer.
Of another long hot day of no rain
Enduring yet another long, scorching day without any rainfall.
'Cause they don't care or understand
Because they neither care nor comprehend.
What it really takes for the sky to open up the land
The true requirements for the sky to unleash rain and revive the land.
Rainmaker, a little faith for hire
The Rainmaker can be employed with just a small amount of faith.
Rainmaker, the house is on fire
The situation is critical, akin to a burning house.
Rainmaker, take everything you have
Give everything you possess to the Rainmaker.
Sometimes folks need to believe in something so bad, so bad, so bad
Occasionally, people have an intense longing to believe in something, no matter how desperate or intense.
They'll hire a rainmaker
They will hire the services of a Rainmaker.
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Rainmaker
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Gohel
I grew up in South Jersey in the 70's. I've long since moved away to get married , raise a family and make a life elsewhere. But the memories of the people of NJ and Philly still hold me tight. Bruce Springsteen and the E street band will always be the soundtrack of my life and an emotional connection to that most important period in my life.
G K
I've been a fan since I was 15, I'm 55 now and his songs, his passion still give me goosebumps! Love it!
Lisa Winterberry Hearth
At 55, been with him since I first heard Nebraska in โ85
Paudi B
Yeah me too but at 65 I win
Nina Perino
Same and I'm also 55!
Odd Terje Fossen
Same for me i am 56.
Marcus1050
You`re so right...Iยดm 52!
Jose Dieguez
I've been fan sice I was 17, I'm 63 now and his songs, his passion still give me goosebumps! Thanks for make me feel so good!
Sean Hyson
Best song on the record, in my opinion, and uniquely Springsteen. It couldn't have come from anyone else, lyrically or musically.
Mitch White
@Gabriel Tripaldi LOL