Spirit in the Night
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics


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Crazy Janey and her mission man
Were back in the alley tradin' hands
'Long came Wild Billy with his friend G-Man
All duded up for Saturday night
Well, Billy slammed on his coaster brakes
And said, "Anybody want to go on up to Greasy Lake?
It's about a mile down on the dark side of Route 88
I got a bottle of rosΓ© so let's try it
We'll pick up Hazy Davy and Killer Joe
And I'll take you all out to where the gypsy angels go
They're build like light
And they dance like spirits in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
Oh, you don't know what they can do to you
Spirits in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
Stand up right now and let them shoot through you

Well now, Wild Billy was a crazy cat
And he shook some dust out of his coonskin cap
He said, "Trust some of this, it'll show you where you're at
Or at least it'll help you really feel it"
By the time we made it up to Greasy Lake
I had my head out the window and Janey's fingers were in the cake
I think I really dug her 'cause I was too loose to fake
I said, I'm hurt, she said, honey, let me heal it
And we danced all night to a soul fairy band
And she kissed me just right, like only a lonely angel can
She felt so nice
Just as soft as a spirit in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
Janey don't know what she do to you
Spirit in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
Stand right up and let her shoot through me

Now, the night was bright and the stars threw light
On Billy and Davy dancin' in the moonlight
They were down near the water in a stone mud fight
Killer Joe gone passed out on the lawn
Well now, Hazy Davy got really hurt
He ran into the lake in just his socks and his shirt
Me and Crazy Janey was makin' love in the dirt
Singin' our birthday songs
Janey said it was time to go
So we closed our eyes and said goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row
Felt so right
Together we moved like spirits in the night (all night), in the night (all night)

Oh you don't know what they can do to you
Spirit in the night (all night), all night (all night)
Oh, stand right up and let her shoot through you
Like a spirit in the night (all night), all night (all night)
All night (all night), all night (all night), all night (all night), all night (all night)




All night
All night

Overall Meaning

The song "Spirit In The Night" by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band tells the story of a group of friends having a wild night out in their hometown. The singer, along with Crazy Janey and her mission man, encounter Wild Billy and his friend G-Man in an alley trading hands. Wild Billy suggests they head to Greasy Lake, a place where the gypsy angels go to dance and party. The group ventures out and experiences a night like no other. They dance all night to a soul fairy band, make love in the dirt, and say goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row. The lyrics describe the freedom and joy of youth, and the feeling of being alive and invincible.


The lyrics are full of colorful characters and vivid imagery, creating a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for simpler times. The song is upbeat and energetic, with a catchy melody and strong harmonies. Springsteen's passionate vocals and the band's electrifying performance capture the excitement and euphoria of a night out with friends, where anything is possible. "Spirit In The Night" is a classic rock anthem that celebrates the spirit of youth and the power of music to bring people together.


Line by Line Meaning

Crazy Janey and her mission man
Janey and her partner, who seem to always have a plan.


Were back in the alley tradin' hands
They were exchanging something, likely drugs, in a hidden spot, doing something that certainly wasn't grand.


'Long came Wild Billy with his friend G-Man
Then came Billy and his pal, dressed up to go out and have a good time, ready to carry on.


All duded up for Saturday night
Wild Billy and his friend were dressed up in fashionable attire, ready to enjoy the weekend with full might.


Well, Billy slammed on his coaster brakes
Billy stopped his bike quickly and hastily, interrupting the trade and causing it to cease.


And said, "Anybody want to go on up to Greasy Lake?
Billy invited everyone to come along to Greasy Lake, which is not far away.


It's about a mile down on the dark side of Route 88
Greasy Lake is situated less than a mile away, in a shady area off Route 88.


I got a bottle of rosΓ© so let's try it
Billy encourages the group to accompany him, offering up his bottle of rosΓ©.


We'll pick up Hazy Davy and Killer Joe
They'll gather Davy and Joe on the trip, other people they know.


And I'll take you all out to where the gypsy angels go
He'll show them a place where they can experience true magic and awe.


They're build like light
The gypsy angels are so ethereal and light, it's as if they were built from rays of sunlight.


And they dance like spirits in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
They dance so freely and happily all night long, like carefree spirits who can do no wrong.


Oh, you don't know what they can do to you
The experience of meeting these gypsy angels and being at Greasy Lake will have a profound effect on anyone who goes through.


Stand up right now and let them shoot through you
Billy implores his companions to stand up and be open to the gypsy angels' influence, let them be a part of you.


Well now, Wild Billy was a crazy cat
Billy was a wild and carefree person, that's a fact.


And he shook some dust out of his coonskin cap
He dusted off his hat, as if he was getting ready for a celebration, in fact.


He said, "Trust some of this, it'll show you where you're at
Billy offers his companions something to consume that he believes will help them understand where they're at.


Or at least it'll help you really feel it"
He thinks it will heighten your senses and allow you to truly experience the moment, a chance to be lit.


By the time we made it up to Greasy Lake
Once they reached their destination, as time rapidly does take.


I had my head out the window and Janey's fingers were in the cake
The artist got a breath of fresh air while Janey had her fingers in the cake.


I think I really dug her 'cause I was too loose to fake
He felt a genuine liking for her because he was too high to pretend or lie.


I said, I'm hurt, she said, honey, let me heal it
He expresses that something is causing him pain, but Janey quickly moves to soothe and alleviate it.


And we danced all night to a soul fairy band
They spent their night dancing to the sweet tunes of their soul fairy band.


And she kissed me just right, like only a lonely angel can
Janey's kiss was tender and perfect, like the kiss of an angel, someone who was lonely, but knew how to love and understand.


She felt so nice
Janey's presence was incredibly comforting and warm, it was suffice.


Just as soft as a spirit in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
Like a spirit, she was gentle and kind, without any fright.


Janey don't know what she do to you
The singer is wary of what he's feeling because he knows he could get hurt and it's all new.


Spirit in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
It's as if a spirit has passed into the night, and things aren't quite right.


Stand right up and let her shoot through me
Still, he chooses to get up and be open to the influence of Janey and her kind, let her be a part of his mind.


Now, the night was bright and the stars threw light
The night was as bright as the day, with stars shining down to show the way.


On Billy and Davy dancin' in the moonlight
Billy and Davy were caught up in the moment, dancing and having fun under the moonlight.


They were down near the water in a stone mud fight
Playing in the mud and the water, just like kids might.


Killer Joe gone passed out on the lawn
Killer Joe, on the other hand, had too much to consume and was lying passed out on the lawn.


Well now, Hazy Davy got really hurt
Davy got hurt playing around in the water and the dirt.


He ran into the lake in just his socks and his shirt
Davy was so carefree, he ran around in the water in just his socks and his shirt.


Me and Crazy Janey was makin' love in the dirt
Meanwhile, the artist and Janey were making love, under the moonlight, in the dirt.


Singin' our birthday songs
They sang songs like it was each other's birthday all night long.


Janey said it was time to go
Finally, Janey realizes it's time to leave and they have to go.


So we closed our eyes and said goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row
As they left behind the magical place, they said goodbye to Gypsy Angel Row.


Felt so right
What they experienced the night before felt so authentic and real, no question or strife.


Together we moved like spirits in the night (all night), in the night (all night)
The artist felt like they moved together, without a misstep, like spirits in the night, so bold and bright.


Oh you don't know what they can do to you
The experience of the night, with its magical moments, will stay with the singer as if it's the glue.


Spirit in the night (all night), all night (all night)
Once again, there's a reference to spirits in the night, something that was a constant presence in their sight.


Oh, stand right up and let her shoot through you
Yet again, the artist is encouraging others to stand up and be open to the influence of the spirits, let them move and shoot through you.


Like a spirit in the night (all night), all night (all night)
Like the spirit that was so present, so bright, just bask in it, with all your might.


All night (all night), all night (all night), all night (all night), all night (all night)
All night long, they were under the influence of something so strong, enjoying the experience without any might.


All night
All night, they enjoyed the magic and wonder of the experience that took flight.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@voxalpha577

The album version is like someone telling you something that happened just last week. This version is someone recounting an old memory.

@waynelshannon

Authentic

@hermievalencia2445

looka like he's just playing it cool and cute on the piano, amazing awesome Boss, simply the Best... having q good time out there he's actually laughing and giggling... you made my day, mr springsteen, thank you...

@hermievalencia2445

he forgot his lyrics? really?

@jhandle4196

The album version WAS telling about something that had happened the previous week. It was written off the cuff to fill out the album

@sergiotempera3781

B............. Nnňň0

1 More Replies...

@edystvumdb

How can someone not love him? He totally enjoys the stage and he's totally genuine and pure! This man is my inspiration! Love you Bruce ❀️

@coyotesong

AndreiAmtrak: Absolutely perfect comment!!!!! and it was so good to hear something from one of his very first albums before Born to Run made him and the band rock stars

@jameskrautheim4987

I guess he’s okay 😺

@MrMightyslim

I love this tune. Not a huge fan but this performance shows Bruce's power and appeal.

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