| HUNGRY HEART - V1a | 2:48 | DROC2 / PYP |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1b | 3:44 | DROC2 |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1c | 3:26 | LM-6 |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1d | 3:18 | LM-6 |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1e | 3:29 | LM-6 / RRR |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1f | 3:31 | private cdr |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1g - take 2 | 3:21 | TTTBR / TTTBJ / RIVER: SINGLE / LEK |
| HUNGRY HEART - V1h | 3:15 | RIVER / 1980 Single / ESSENTIAL / GREATEST |
Note: Apparently penned after Joey Ramone asked Bruce to write a song for the Ramones after he attended a Ramones show at The Fast Lane in Asbury Park in March 1979; this may be apocryphal. In any case, Springsteen has confirmed that it was written with the Ramones in mind, and was considering giving the song away. He played it for Jon Landau, who convinced Bruce to keep it for himself. The eight takes listed above all appear to be different mixes of the same basic performance that are also running at varying tape speeds. The version released on The River has been pitch adjusted, raising the pitch of Springsteen's vocal to achieve a more radio friendly sound. V1b is the backing track only. V1f has heavy echo added to Springsteen's vocal. Recorded at The Power Station on 14 and 21 June and September 5, 1979 with further mixing or overdub sessions on March 24 and April 10, 1980. Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of the Turtles) contribute backing vocals.
Further work on this song was undertaken at The Power Station on March 24 and April 10, 1980. Likely a mixing or overdub session, perhaps for Flo and Eddie's backing vocals.
