Wrong Side of the Street
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Ah-One, two, three, four

Girl on the edge flippin' off the lamp
There'll be an end, darling, to your endless night
On the other side of the street
Yeah, light on portrait and the light in your face
And you'll be looking for another pretty place
Baby, this side of the street

Well, keep dreaming baby that your desire brings and girl
I know the sadness that you find in things, it's true
If you can't take the heat, what can I do?

Well, you and your poetry and your cuckoo world
Behind your face hides the face of a modern girl
Yeah, on the other side of the street
Yeah, you've got the look as if you own the world
Therefore, you go out there and they say that you can earn
Baby, on this side of the street

Well, you're tired of everyday bringing the same and so you
Go out looking for some strange new games
Well pretty soon you don't know the score anymore
All right!

Oh, I know you danger that your desire brings
And I know the strangeness that you'll find
Waiting and you'll see straighter then for you and for me
Yeah
Well turn on the end and baby turn off the lamps
There'll be an end, darling, to your endless night
On the wrong side of the street

Yeah and everyday, well, it just brings the same
You started looking for some other strange new game
On the wrong side of the street
Well, your desires for your sweet confusion
I'll walk away then, I don't buy your delusions




I'll see, open your eyes and see, girl
All right

Overall Meaning

In Bruce Springsteen's song "Wrong Side of the Street," the singer encounters a troubled woman on the brink of a breakdown. The girl on the edge is "flippin' off the lamp," and the singer informs her that there will be an end to her endless night – but only if she crosses over to the other side of the street, where the light in her face is brighter. The woman is mired in her own "cuckoo world," and the singer suggests that her desire and quest for something more has left her tired and confused.


As the song progresses, the singer seems to draw a line between himself and the girl. She is "on the wrong side of the street," while he is "on this side of the street." He is unable to save her from her own sadness and confusion, and their paths diverge. Ultimately, the singer encourages the girl to open her eyes and see the world as it truly is.


The song paints a vivid picture of urban isolation and the difficulties of connection in a crowded world. The singer is unable to bridge the gap with the girl, despite his desire to help her. The song suggests that true connection requires a willingness to see the world as it is, rather than retreating into a "cuckoo world" of one's own making.


Line by Line Meaning

Girl on the edge flippin' off the lamp
A girl at the brink of losing control, turning off the light in anger


There'll be an end, darling, to your endless night
Your painful and lonely situation will eventually come to an end


On the other side of the street
Somewhere far away from where you are now


Yeah, light on portrait and the light in your face
The light shining on your face while being photographed


And you'll be looking for another pretty place
You'll keep searching for a better situation than your current one


Baby, this side of the street
Where you currently stand, your present reality


Well, keep dreaming baby that your desire brings and girl
Don't stop dreaming of the things you want, my dear


I know the sadness that you find in things, it's true
I understand the sadness that you feel in life


If you can't take the heat, what can I do?
If you can't handle the difficulties, there's nothing I can do to help you


Well, you and your poetry and your cuckoo world
Your fanciful imagination and unrealistic worldview


Behind your face hides the face of a modern girl
You appear to be modern and independent, but you're not truly happy


Yeah, on the other side of the street
Somewhere far away from where you are now


Yeah, you've got the look as if you own the world
You appear confident and powerful


Therefore, you go out there and they say that you can earn
You're persuaded by the promise of opportunity elsewhere


Baby, on this side of the street
Where you currently stand, your present reality


Well, you're tired of everyday bringing the same and so you
You're tired of the monotony of everyday life, and therefore


Go out looking for some strange new games
You seek excitement and new experiences


Well pretty soon you don't know the score anymore
You become lost, losing track of what's important to you


All right!
Okay, I understand


Oh, I know you danger that your desire brings
I know the risks and dangers that come with your desires


And I know the strangeness that you'll find
I understand the odd or uncomfortable situations you'll get yourself into


Waiting and you'll see straighter then for you and for me
With time, everything will become more clear and make more sense


Well turn on the end and baby turn off the lamps
Put an end to this phase of your life and move on to something new


There'll be an end, darling, to your endless night
Your painful and lonely situation will eventually come to an end


On the wrong side of the street
You went in the wrong direction with your choices and now find yourself in an undesirable situation


Yeah and everyday, well, it just brings the same
Each day feels like a repetition of the day before


You started looking for some other strange new game
You tried to find something new and exciting, but instead


On the wrong side of the street
You went in the wrong direction with your choices and now find yourself in an undesirable situation


Well, your desires for your sweet confusion
Your desires have clouded your judgment and caused confusion


I'll walk away then, I don't buy your delusions
I will leave and not be persuaded by your false beliefs


I'll see, open your eyes and see, girl
Realize the truth about your situation and don't ignore it


All right
Okay, I understand




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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