Tune Tuesday: Bruce Springsteen 1984
Thirty-five years ago, today, the #1 song on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock chart was Dancing in the Dark from the album Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen. The music video was directed by Brian De Palma (Carrie/Scarface/The Untouchables) and it introduced the world to a, then, unknown Courteney Cox. This was his biggest hit single and the album is, to this day, his best selling. The song also went to #1 with Cash Box, in Canada, with Radio & Records and, went on to #1 in 1985 in Belgium & The Netherlands. Notable cover version artists are Kermit the Frog, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Pete Yorn.
Awards
♥ Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male Grammys
♥ Grammy Hall of Fame Grammys
♥ Pop/Rock Single American Music Awards
♥ International Album of the Year Juno Awards
♥ Best Stage Performance MTV Video Music Awards
Nominations
Grammys: 2
American Music Awards: 2
Brit Awards: 1
MTV Video Music Awards: 1
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I get up in the evening
And I ain’t got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain’t nothing but tired
Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby, I could use just a little help
[Chorus 1]
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 dancing in the dark
[Verse 2]
Message keeps getting clearer
Radio’s on and I’m moving ’round the place
I check my look in the mirror
I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain’t getting nowhere
I’m just living in a dump like this
There’s something happening somewhere
Baby, I just know that there is
[Chorus 1]
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 dancing in the dark
[Bridge]
You sit around getting 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
[Verse 3]
Stay on the streets of this town
And they’ll be carving you up all right
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey, baby, I’m just about starving tonight
I’m dying for some action
I’m sick of sitting ’round here trying to write this book
I need a love reaction
Come on now, baby, gimme just one look
[Chorus 2]
You can’t start a fire
Sitting ’round crying over a broken heart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
You can’t start a fire
Worrying about your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
[Outro]
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Hey, baby
June 12, 2019 at 12:27 AM
Brings back some great memories. Bruce wrote in his book that he thought she was just a fan and not an actress De Palma planted.
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June 12, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Yeah. That showed up on Wikipedia. I probably would have put that in there if I’d had more time. I’ve been busy, today.
http://www.startribune.com/in-new-memoir-springsteen-recalls-opening-born-in-usa-tour-in-st-paul/394905041/
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June 12, 2019 at 12:39 AM
I read at the time a lot of Springsteen fans were upset that they didn’t get a real fan there.
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June 12, 2019 at 12:42 AM
BFD. A crafted video by Brian De Palma? Please…
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June 12, 2019 at 12:46 AM
I know…His fans were really serious…that was right before the big Born In the USA super stardom phase.
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June 12, 2019 at 12:59 AM
*sigh* People and what they worship. Boggles the mind…
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June 12, 2019 at 1:00 AM
After this album he wasn’t a secret anymore.
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June 12, 2019 at 1:22 AM
I thought everyone knew who he was after Born To Run.
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June 12, 2019 at 1:34 AM
He didn’t have any giant hits except Hungry Heart between that time. He was known but not KNOWN like after this.
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June 12, 2019 at 2:20 AM
Good point. I DO remember when Dancing in the Dark came out, the press was remarking about how he was “working out” and had muscles. He was nice looking back then.
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June 12, 2019 at 7:07 AM
Bruce has been a favorite since the 80’s and I remember watching this video. Glory Days is my favorite song from the album and is still included on many playlists.
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June 12, 2019 at 1:45 PM
It was an awesome album. It definitely cemented his stardom.
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June 12, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Great song, great album! Boy, seeing baby-face Springstein singing this song makes me feel old….. 😉
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June 12, 2019 at 5:31 PM
Yeah. Me, too… I was 17 when this came out.
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June 13, 2019 at 7:38 PM
me, oh boy……24. 😲
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June 13, 2019 at 8:03 PM
It’s all good! ;D
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