Since forming in 1972, the band's members have changed; however, core members include saxophonist Clarence Clemons, organist Danny Federici, bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Max Weinberg, pianist Roy Bittan and, of course, guitarist/singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt joined the band while recording Born to Run and made this record at least possible. He became one of the most honored and most influential members.
Other musicians important to the band include guitarist Nils Lofgren (who stepped in after Van Zandt quit); guitarist/singer Patti Scialfa (who is also Springsten's wife); and pianist David Sancious and drummers "Mad Dog" Vini Lopez and Ernest "Boom" Carter, who all had left the band prior to Born to Run. Also, The Rising tour saw the official addition of violinist Soozie Tyrell.
In 1989 the band split up, after the massive success of the Born in the USA tour and the quieter Tunnel of Love tour. However, in 1999, the band reunited and embarked on a rather successful 18-month reunion tour - the "E-United Tour" - and now were powered by three guitars (Springsteen, Van Zandt and Lofgren, with Scialfa usually playing a fourth, acoustic guitar).
Following the events of September 11, 2001, Springsteen and the Band embarked on their first studio recordings (excepting a short recording session for Springsteen's 1995 Greatest Hits album) since 1984's Born in the U.S.A. The band recorded The Rising in 2002, and then hit the road for another marathon, two-year tour.
After The Rising, Springsteen recorded two more albums without the E Streeters followed by "Magic", released in October 2007 and featuring the hit single "Radio Nowhere". Magic was followed up by a traditionally strong tour throughout 2008, during which original band-member and friend Danny Federici passed away. Federici had already been temporarily replaced by Charlie Giordano, with whom Springsteen played the year before during the Seeger Sessions. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rounded the 100-show tour at Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration.
On January 27, 2009 Springsteen's twenty-fourth album "Working on a Dream" will be released. According to the official press release, Working on a Dream was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the album. A new tour for 2009 is expected to be announced soon. Springsteen and the E Street Band will play The Super Bowl halftime show on February 1, 2009.
Saturday 27th July 2009 saw Bruce and the E-Streeters played The Glastonbury Festival, England. This was the band's first-ever UK festival performance, a total of 135,000 people watched an epic, two-and-a-half hour headlining set.
Current members
* Bruce Springsteen - lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano
* Garry Tallent - bass guitar, tuba
* Max Weinberg - drums, percussion (joined September 1974)
* Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer (joined September 1974)
* Steven Van Zandt - lead guitar, mandolin, backing vocals (officially joined July 1975 after playing in previous bands; left in 1984 to go solo; rejoined in early 1995) Steven Van Zandt
* Nils Lofgren - guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals (replaced Steven Van Zandt in June 1984; remained in group after Van Zandt returned)
* Patti Scialfa - backing and duet vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion (joined June 1984; became Springsteen's wife in 1991; they have a daughter and two sons)
* Soozie Tyrell - violin, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals (joined 2002, occasional appearances before that)
Former members
* Vinnie 'Mad Dog' Lopez - drums (inception through February 1974, when asked to resign)
* David Sancious - keyboards (June 1973 to August 1974)
* Ernest 'Boom' Carter - drums (February to August 1974)
* Suki Lahav - violin, backing vocals (September 1974 to March 1975)
* Danny Federici - organ, electronic glockenspiel, accordion, other keyboards (on medical leave of absence from late November 2007, temporarily replaced by Charles Giordano) (Danny passed away on April 17, 2008 after a battle with cancer.)
* Clarence Clemons - saxophone, percussion, backing vocals, larger-than-life persona and Springsteen foil (died 2011)
Dancing In The Dark
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I ain't got nothin' to say
I come home in the mornin'
I go to bed feelin' the same way
I ain't nothin' but tired
Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself
Hey there, baby, I could use just a little help
You can't start a fire without a spark
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Messages keeps gettin' clearer
Radio's on and I'm movin' 'round my place
I check my look in the mirror
Wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain't gettin' nowhere
I'm just livin' in a dump like this
There's somethin' happenin' somewhere
Baby, I just know that there is
You can't start a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
You sit around gettin' older
There's a joke here somewhere and it's on me
I'll shake this world off my shoulders
Come on, baby, the laugh's on me
Stay on the streets of this town
And they'll be carvin' you up alright
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey baby, I'm just about starvin' tonight
I'm dyin' for some action
I'm sick of sittin' 'round here tryin' to write this book
I need a love reaction
Come on now, baby, gimme just one look
You can't start a fire
Sittin' 'round cryin' over a broken heart
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
You can't start a fire
Worryin' about your little world fallin' apart
This gun's for hire
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Hey baby
In Bruce Springsteen's hit song "Dancing in the Dark," the singer expresses his restlessness and dissatisfaction with his life. He begins by describing his monotonous routine of going out at night without any real purpose, only to come home feeling tired and unfulfilled. He craves a little help in the form of some excitement or inspiration. The song's chorus emphasizes the idea that in order to make a change in his life, he needs a spark to ignite the fire within him. He offers himself as a "gun for hire," so to speak, willing to take on any challenge or opportunity that comes his way.
As the song progresses, he continues to analyze his life and the world around him. He mentions the passing of time and the feeling of being stuck, unable to make progress. He desires to shake off this feeling of stagnation by making a change in his appearance and attitude. He feels that something important is happening somewhere in the world, and he wants to be a part of it, to experience the thrill of living fully. The song's final verse reveals that he has been writing a book, but he is growing restless with the process and craves a love reaction, or some inspiration to make the words come alive.
Overall, the song is both a commentary on modern life and a call to action to break out of the monotony and find fulfillment in something extraordinary. It urges the listener to take risks, to embrace change, and to pursue their passions with vigor.
Line by Line Meaning
I get up in the evenin'
I wake up in the evening
And I ain't got nothin' to say
I have nothing to say
I come home in the mornin'
I return home in the morning
I go to bed feelin' the same way
I go to bed feeling the same as when I woke up
I ain't nothin' but tired
I'm just exhausted
Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself
I'm bored with myself and my own life
Hey there, baby, I could use just a little help
Hey there, I could use some help
You can't start a fire
You cannot ignite a fire
You can't start a fire without a spark
You need a spark to ignite a fire
This gun's for hire
I am available for hire
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Messages keeps gettin' clearer
The message is becoming clearer to me
Radio's on and I'm movin' 'round my place
The radio is playing and I'm moving around my house
I check my look in the mirror
I look at myself in the mirror
Wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
I want to change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain't gettin' nowhere
I'm not getting anywhere
I'm just livin' in a dump like this
I'm just living in a place like this
There's somethin' happenin' somewhere
There's something happening somewhere
Baby, I just know that there is
I just know that there is
You sit around gettin' older
You sit around and age
There's a joke here somewhere and it's on me
There's a joke somewhere and I am the punchline
I'll shake this world off my shoulders
I'll get rid of this burden on my shoulders
Come on, baby, the laugh's on me
Come on, baby, make fun of me
Stay on the streets of this town
Stay on the streets of this town
And they'll be carvin' you up alright
They will harm you
They say you gotta stay hungry
They say that you must stay motivated
Hey baby, I'm just about starvin' tonight
Hey baby, I'm really hungry tonight
I'm dyin' for some action
I'm desperate for some excitement
I'm sick of sittin' 'round here tryin' to write this book
I'm tired of sitting here and trying to write this book
I need a love reaction
I need love
Come on now, baby, gimme just one look
Please give me a chance
Sittin' 'round cryin' over a broken heart
Crying over a broken heart
Worryin' about your little world fallin' apart
Worrying about everything falling apart
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Even if we're just dancin' in the dark
Even if we're just dancing in the dark
Hey baby
Hey baby
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gmarlett84
First concert I ever saw. He was 30 minutes late. He stayed over an hour after it was supposed to end, jumping, dancing, sliding around on his knees. I’ll never forget the care that he gave to me and my hometown. A true rockstar. As much as I want to disagree with him, he’s the truth. He’s authentic. He’s real. Someone that reaches deep within and rips it out for the people he loves. No comparison.
@danielmcdonough4279
Perhaps the quintessential mainstream Bruce song, but so brilliantly written. “You can’t start a fire, worrying about your little world falling apart...”
@GreekRocker00
As a musician, i can imagine how it feels playing to an audience like this... The energy and the feeling is out of this world...
@Thesajlem
after such concert? I would consider myself done here
@markcarter7974
Barcelona shows are amazing
@cathiker
Reading Bruce’s autobiography and he says that Barcelona is one of his favorite places to play in the world. Holy Hell, now I see why: that was absolute fire! What a bomb of a show!
@williamgately1070
I found the Spectrum in Philly was my favorite place to see him. Somewhat smaller arena. Next was the old Capitol Centre in DC
@anaapa
I was there an he was on fire as always, he has a thing for Barcelona ( my city) in fact they recorded a DVD! No one comes near The Boss :)
@underwriter100
@@anaapa I have never been to Barcelona but have been to Madrid & loved it.... has Bruce ever played Camp Nou or is that too big?
@anaapa
@@underwriter100 Hi Robert! He had played in all the big venues that we have in Barcelona: Sant Jordi, Olimpic Stadium and Camp Nou and it's always a sold out. I think nothing it's too big for the boss, just check this live perfomance in London https://youtu.be/SHIOcg4I3dk J