Atlantic City
The Boss Lyrics


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Well, they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night
Now they blew up his house, too
Down on the boardwalk they're getting ready for a fight
Gonna see what them racket boys can do

Now there's trouble busing in from out of state
And the D.A. can't get no relief
Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade
And the gambling commission's hanging on by the skin of its teeth

Well now, everything dies, baby, that's a fact
Maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City

Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
But I got debts that no honest man can pay
So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus

Now, baby, everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City

Now our luck may have died and love may be cold
But with you forever I'll stay
We're going out where the sand's turning to gold
So put on your stockings, baby, 'cause the night's getting cold

And everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back

Now I been looking for a job but it's hard to find
Down here, it's just winners and losers and don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
Well, I'm tired of coming out on this losing end
So, honey, last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him

Well, I guess everything dies, baby, that's a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back
Put your hair up nice, fix yourself up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City




Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Meet me tonight in Atlantic City

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Atlantic City" by Bruce Springsteen portray a sense of desperation and a longing for escape from the bleak reality of life. The singer describes the chaos that is happening in his town, with a chicken man being blown up and trouble coming in from out of state. He then goes on to talk about his own life, with debts he cannot pay and the struggle to find a job. However, he finds solace in the idea of going to Atlantic City with his loved one, where they can escape from their problems and potentially turn their luck around. The repeated phrase, "everything dies, baby, that's a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back," suggests a sense of hopelessness but also an optimism that things will get better.


Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the desperation that can come with living in a working-class town with few opportunities, and the desire to escape that reality.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night
There is chaos brewing in the city, including a recent incident of someone being killed in a bomb explosion.


Now they blew up his house, too
The situation is so bad that even homes are being destroyed in explosive attacks.


Down on the boardwalk they're getting ready for a fight
People are preparing for a confrontation or a battle.


Gonna see what them racket boys can do
The people are curious to know what the gangsters or the underworld figures can do in the face of the looming threat.


Now there's trouble busing in from out of state
There are problems arising from outside the city, which could make the situation worse.


And the D.A. can't get no relief
The authorities are struggling to keep the situation under control, and the District Attorney is not able to find a solution.


Gonna be a rumble out on the promenade
The boardwalk or the outdoor area is likely to become the site of a physical altercation.


And the gambling commission's hanging on by the skin of its teeth
The regulatory body overseeing the gambling industry is barely managing to fulfill its duties.


Well now, everything dies, baby, that's a fact
Death is inevitable and a natural part of life.


Maybe everything that dies someday comes back
There is a possibility of rebirth or renewal of things that have died or ended.


Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
Despite the chaos and uncertain times, it is important to maintain a sense of normalcy and present oneself well.


And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Come to Atlantic City tonight, where we can escape the problems and have a good time.


Well, I got a job and tried to put my money away
The singer has been working to save up money.


But I got debts that no honest man can pay
Unfortunately, the singer has accumulated debts that are difficult to repay through legitimate means.


So I drew what I had from the Central Trust
The singer took out his savings from the bank.


And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus
He used the money to buy two tickets for a trip on a bus to the coast.


Now our luck may have died and love may be cold
The couple may be going through a tough phase in their relationship, and things are not going well for them in general.


But with you forever I'll stay
Despite the difficulties, the singer is committed to staying with his partner.


We're going out where the sand's turning to gold
They are headed to a place where things are brighter and opportunities abound.


So put on your stockings, baby, 'cause the night's getting cold
The weather is turning chilly and the artist wants his partner to be properly dressed and comfortable.


Now I been looking for a job but it's hard to find
The artist is struggling to find employment.


Down here, it's just winners and losers and don't get caught on the wrong side of that line
The city is harsh and competitive, with some people coming out on top and others falling by the wayside. It is important to make the right choices in order to avoid getting into trouble or being on the losing side.


Well, I'm tired of coming out on this losing end
The singer is tired of always ending up on the losing side.


So, honey, last night I met this guy and I'm gonna do a little favor for him
The artist has made a questionable choice and is embarking on a risky venture, possibly involving criminal activity.


Well, I guess everything dies, baby, that's a fact
reiteration of the earlier line reminds us that death is unavoidable.


Put your hair up nice, fix yourself up pretty
Despite the risk involved, it is important to maintain a presentable appearance.


And meet me tonight in Atlantic City
The singer urges his partner to meet him in Atlantic City one more time, where they can forget their troubles and enjoy each other's company.


Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
The chorus reiterates the invitation to come to Atlantic City and suggests that the destination offers hope for a better future.


Meet me tonight in Atlantic City
Final repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of coming to Atlantic City as a source of escape and positivity.




Contributed by Colin V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@ashleymonday298

The anguished howls in the background give this song a haunting quality that sticks with you long after the song is over.

@tracieramson9151

howls of lost souls waiting to come back as the song says

@tracieramson9151

Debts no HONEST man can pay...that's the story of life with COVID..those out of work had 2 choices..# 1 Live off credit cards if ya have them or live off the Food banks .not prices are going up on one thing and Up on another..Where did our American Dream Die and go off too and is it ever comin Back

@pattipaulsen7171

Perfectly said❤

@nicolebetz8484

I heard this song for the first time today while I was feeling really sad, missing my parents. Today would've been their 61st and 59th birthdays. I just know it was sent from them for me. ❤️

@catboi1188

Wow 🥺 young ...I miss my mother. Worst part of aging is experiencing the loss of our loved ones 😢

@eudaimoniac7143

Wow!!!!! My parents shared the same birthday 9/22. My father overdosed on my 45th (4/5) birthday in one of those hotels that line Rte.30 (which is the road with the billboards). Thanks for sharing your pain. I come here because this was also the last song I sent him before he died. Music was our language!!! Thanks for being vulnerable. ❤

@enzothebaker22

I'm sorry that your folks are gone, it seems they were so young. I'm sure they would appreciate your memory of them. I have no advice but have been where you are; it'll be ok.

@williamannette558

What kind of narcissist are u? Lol

@darrenlangton3996

Is it just me, or does nobody feel that the Nebraska album is Bruce's rawest and finest work?

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