| DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - V1a | 4:26 | DO-3 / DDO / UP / DDOC |
| DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - V1b | 4:43 | RTT |
| DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - V2a | 4:23 | ODM / HOD / UP / AM |
| DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - V2b | 4:23 | DARKNESS / ESSENTIAL: 2003 / GREATEST: 2009 / PROMISE: DELUXE |
Note: Bruce began writing "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" right after Born To Run, according to a 1978 interview. Indeed, the title can be found in two lists of songs that were penned some time in 1976, supporting his recollection. It is rumored that band rehearsals during 1976 at Bruce's home at Holmdel, NJ included versions of "Darkness On The Edge Of Town". With music and some lyrics written by February 1976, the song was subtitled "The Racer" for a time.
Though it is listed on the 'Star Wars' demo tape of June 1, 1977, pictured below, V1a was not cut until June 6. V1b is the full length, speed-corrected version. Sony logs show takes recorded on June 8, 9, 20 and 23, 1977 at Atlantic Studios. Work on the lyrics was needed. Bruce then put "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" aside for the rest of the year. It was not included on the 'Badlands' album sequence from October, nor the January 16, 1978 sequence. On March 8, he suddenly called his forces together, and over three days, they re-recorded from scratch and completed what would become the title track of the album. The March takes were cut in a studio with bare concrete walls, after the room was gutted prior to renovation. V2a and V2b are the album track recording, with a slight difference. V2a can be identified by the addition of the word "ready" to the line "I'll be there on time ready to pay the cost." V2b is mix take #28 from March 30, 1978, and was pressed to metal acetate on April 12.