Bruce Springsteen — Growin' Up
Album: Greetings from Asbury ParkAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 187
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well I stood stone-like at midnight
Suspended in my masquerade
And I combed my hair 'til it was just right
And commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain
And crossed by the rain
And I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone
Through a fallout zone
Came out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
When they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
And the flag of piracy flew from my mast
My sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate
She couldn't sail but she sure could sing
And I pushed B-52
And bombed 'em with the blues
With my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules
Strafed my old high school
Never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
But when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
I took month long vacations in the stratosphere
And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
Swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
I was a cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth
But I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe
In the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
When they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
Oh
Suspended in my masquerade
And I combed my hair 'til it was just right
And commanded the night brigade
I was open to pain
And crossed by the rain
And I walked on a crooked crutch
I strolled all alone
Through a fallout zone
Came out with my soul untouched
I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
When they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
And the flag of piracy flew from my mast
My sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate
She couldn't sail but she sure could sing
And I pushed B-52
And bombed 'em with the blues
With my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules
Strafed my old high school
Never once gave thought to landing
I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
But when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
I took month long vacations in the stratosphere
And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
Swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
I was a cosmic kid in full costume dress
Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth
But I got me a nice little place in the stars
And I swear I found the key to the universe
In the engine of an old parked car
I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
When they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
Ooh-ooh, growin' up
Oh
Comments (29)add comment
Wow Bill...thanks for making Friday at work "bearable"! I've been rockin' out all day! 
Ten zillion Bruce songs and Bill keeps playing three of them. They're great, but still the same three.
I just read Springsteen's interview in the latest "Rolling Stone". What a great human being!
This isn't my favorite album, but he and the band never fail to entertain. I feel we have been lucky to have had them for as long as we have.
This isn't my favorite album, but he and the band never fail to entertain. I feel we have been lucky to have had them for as long as we have.
kaybee wrote:
But hey, if you wait long enough on RP, what goes round, comes round! Thanks again, Bill!
One of the greatest coming of age songs ever. And I missed it!!! 
But hey, if you wait long enough on RP, what goes round, comes round! Thanks again, Bill!
islander wrote:
I know I say this all the time, but:
I never understood the fanatical following of his fans until I heard all the songs never played on the radio. Born in the USA is his synchronicity.
I never understood the fanatical following of his fans until I heard all the songs never played on the radio. Born in the USA is his synchronicity.
accurate analogy and right on, his early stuff is sweeeeet!
| esotericderek |
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| Odyzzeuz (Austin, Texas) |
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Well, at least a few RPers share my disdain for Bruce. Aside from I'm On Fire, he just doesn't do it for me.
I know I say this all the time, but:
I never understood the fanatical following of his fans until I heard all the songs never played on the radio. Born in the USA is his synchronicity.
I never understood the fanatical following of his fans until I heard all the songs never played on the radio. Born in the USA is his synchronicity.
My favorite song from the Boss. I prefer the studio version though.
Why does every BS song sound like he's too late for an appointment?
One of the greatest coming of age songs ever. And I missed it!!!
Oh Oh Oh I'm on 
I enjoyed it!!!
esotericderek wrote:
I can't honestly say I think that, because I haven't heard all of Bruce Springsteen's music. But I've heard about 20 songs or so (conservatively) ranging from the early 70's to now, and since I detested all of them, I decided not to waste my time on any more of his drivel.
Agree. All drivel to me. And the shouting!!!!!
rasta_tiger wrote:
Now, that's more like it. Give me the Bruce that is more musically and lyrically adventurous. No more of this Woody Guthrie wanna-be crap (though I DO like Woody Guthrie) or the Steve Earle-clone knock-off's (I like Earle as well).
I just can't stand the stuff (except small exceptions) after The River. He's gotten lazy writing melodies and lyrics ...
Well said. I'm with ya 100%.
Now, that's more like it. Give me the Bruce that is more musically and lyrically adventurous. No more of this Woody Guthrie wanna-be crap (though I DO like Woody Guthrie) or the Steve Earle-clone knock-off's (I like Earle as well).
I just can't stand the stuff (except small exceptions) after The River. He's gotten lazy writing melodies and lyrics. Have you read the lyrics from the new Magic album? I'm embarrassed for him. He needs someone to tell him to go work on his songwriting craft. But he's 'The Boss' so I'm sure he's got a bunch of yes-men all around.
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere...
...but not anymore.
Where have all the good times gone?
De-caff is your friend.
p.s. I am college educated, non-smoking, non-drinking and when last tested, had an IQ of 142. Oh, and I am a huge fan of old Bruce music. Facts, not opinions.
esotericderek wrote:
Since when does having an opinion (and backing it with specific complaints) make someone an idiot? You've done nothing in your statement to defend this song or Bruce Springsteen. All you've done is attacked someone's opinion.
And he's right. Bruce Springsteen is completely overrated, trite, and unintelligent. His home-town, blue collar style of rock is designed for the bottom 5% of the intelligence curve. (Okay, maybe the second from the bottom 5%...the bottom being reserved for fans of 50 Cent and Mariah Carey.)
And what have you written that's supposed to convince me that you're capable of defining taste for me or anyone else? Bruce Springsteen is only tasteful if having "taste" means drinking Old Milwaukee from a can and smoking two packs of Marlboro reds while using Bondo to fill the rust holes in your lime green '72 Chevy Nova. You know, the one with the black leather interior that stinks of months-old Armor All and the original 8-track player that you use to crank out bitchin' tunes by Def Leppard, Foreigner, Bob Segar, John Mellencamp, and yes
"The Boss".
Oh, and by the way, that's just my opinion....idiot.
Honeyman wrote:
Yes, if you don't think any of Springsteens work, especially his early stuff, has any musical merit, you're an idiot.
I can't honestly say I think that, because I haven't heard all of Bruce Springsteen's music. But I've heard about 20 songs or so (conservatively) ranging from the early 70's to now, and since I detested all of them, I decided not to waste my time on any more of his drivel.
And once again you've called someone an idiot for what amounts to an opinion of taste (as opposed to an ignorance of facts or an inability to reason), and yet you still haven't offered up any intelligent argument defending your statements. You're clearly as incompetent at proving your point as Bruce is at writing songs.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Horrible. Bruce at his most overstated, least subtle. Pure bombast.
This is what you call "backing it up with specific complaints"?!? Then why, if this particular song happens to be Bruce's "most overstated", did he happen to rank 8 out of 8 Springsteen songs a one?
Yes, if you don't think any of Springsteens work, especially his early stuff, has any musical merit, you're an idiot.
Honeyman wrote:
You're an idiot. I just read all your reviews and any Springsteen song gets a 1 from you. Rosalita?!? I thought people from Austin had great musical taste.
Since when does having an opinion (and backing it with specific complaints) make someone an idiot? You've done nothing in your statement to defend this song or Bruce Springsteen. All you've done is attacked someone's opinion.
And he's right. Bruce Springsteen is completely overrated, trite, and unintelligent. His home-town, blue collar style of rock is designed for the bottom 5% of the intelligence curve. (Okay, maybe the second from the bottom 5%...the bottom being reserved for fans of 50 Cent and Mariah Carey.)
And what have you written that's supposed to convince me that you're capable of defining taste for me or anyone else? Bruce Springsteen is only tasteful if having "taste" means drinking Old Milwaukee from a can and smoking two packs of Marlboro reds while using Bondo to fill the rust holes in your lime green '72 Chevy Nova. You know, the one with the black leather interior that stinks of months-old Armor All and the original 8-track player that you use to crank out bitchin' tunes by Def Leppard, Foreigner, Bob Segar, John Mellencamp, and yes
"The Boss".
Oh, and by the way, that's just my opinion....idiot.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Horrible. Bruce at his most overstated, least subtle. Pure bombast.
You're an idiot. I just read all your reviews and any Springsteen song gets a 1 from you. Rosalita?!? I thought people from Austin had great musical taste.
Honeyman wrote:
Haven't heard this in 10 years +....thanks. Bill!
...and whoever gave this a 2 does not belong in the human race.
I gave it a 1! I am a human being! I am not an animal!
I can't help it. I despise Bruce Springsteen. This song disgusts me like all his others. It just sounds...trite.
Just an opinion.
Horrible. Bruce at his most overstated, least subtle. Pure bombast.
This has to be his best album. Ever.
Oh yes...
Haven't heard this in 10 years +....thanks. Bill!
...and whoever gave this a 2 does not belong in the human race.
...is this your favorite Bruce song?
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It seems to me that RP plays just about the right amount of Springsteen (enough to drive the Bruce haters crazy and leave the Bruce lovers wanting more), and a decent variety at that. I just looked at about 15 of the Bruce songs listed on RP and found 5 of those have been played just this month (Growin Up, Jungleland, I'm on Fire, Born to Run, Radio nowhere), and there are probably others that have been played recently...