Brilliant Disguise

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Track 9 of Tunnel Of Love, 1987.

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Credits

• Tunnel Of Love (1987)
  • Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, mandolin, bass, harmonica, drum machines
  • Roy Bittan: keyboard
  • Danny Federici: organ
  • Max Weinberg: percussion

Performances

Performed live 440 times. 2024-11-22 Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 2024-10-23 SiriusXM Studio, New York City, NY 2023-02-01 Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL 2018-12-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-12-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-11-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-10-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-09-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-09-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-09-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-09-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-09-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-08-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-07-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-06-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-05-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-04-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-03-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-02-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-02-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-02-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-30 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2018-01-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-23 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-12-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-22 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-16 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-15 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-09 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-08 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-02 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-11-01 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-31 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-28 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-27 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-26 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-25 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-24 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-21 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-20 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-19 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-18 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-17 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-14 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-13 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-12 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-11 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-10 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-07 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-06 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-05 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-04 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-10-03 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-09-29 Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, NY 2017-09-22 Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 2017-09-19 Pollak Theatre, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 2016-08-23 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2016-05-17 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain 2016-05-14 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain 2016-03-28 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY 2016-03-22 Moda Center, Portland, OR 2016-03-17 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 2016-02-18 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 2016-02-16 BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL 2016-02-02 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 2016-01-27 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY 2016-01-16 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA 2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC 2014-02-23 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy 2013-05-14 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 2013-05-07 HK Areena, Turku, Finland 2010-01-23 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ 2009-10-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ 2009-09-25 Apollo Theater, New York City, NY 2008-07-31 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2008-07-27 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2008-07-19 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain 2008-07-17 Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain 2008-04-22 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL 2008-04-08 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA 2007-10-17 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY 2007-10-09 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ 2007-10-05 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA 2007-04-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ 2005-11-17 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ 2005-11-13 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 2005-10-20 DCU Center, Worcester, MA page 1 of 212next »

Performances broken down by tour (not including rehearsals and snippet performances) Performed at 2 show(s) of 130 on the 2023-25 International Tour. Performed at 210 show(s) of 266 on the Springsteen On Broadway run. Performed at 0 show(s) of 14 on the Summer '17 Tour. Performed at 11 show(s) of 75 on the The River Tour 2016. Performed at 2 show(s) of 33 on the High Hopes Tour. Performed at 3 show(s) of 133 on the Wrecking Ball Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 83 on the Working On A Dream Tour. Performed at 9 show(s) of 99 on the Magic Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 56 on The Seeger Sessions Tour. Performed at 6 show(s) of 72 on the Devils & Dust Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 7 on the Vote For Change Tour. Performed at 6 show(s) of 120 on The Rising Tour. Performed at 5 show(s) of 132 on The Reunion Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 128 on The Ghost Of Tom Joad Tour. Performed at 93 show(s) of 102 on the World Tour 1992-93. Performed at 8 show(s) of 20 on the Human Rights Now! Tour. Performed at 67 show(s) of 67 on the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour. Performed at 15 known other show(s), plus 3 public tour rehearsal(s).

Released on Album

Released on Tunnel Of Love (1987), Brilliant Disguise (Single, 1987), Greatest Hits (1995), The Essential (2003), Collection:1973-2012 (2013), Chapter And Verse (2016), and Best Of (2024).

A live version is released on Springsteen On Broadway (2018) (recorded July 17/18, 2018).

Released as Live Download

Live versions are available on the following 29 official live downloads:

• 2024-11-22 Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
• 2023-02-01 Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
• 2016-08-23 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2016-05-17 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
• 2016-05-14 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
• 2016-03-28 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2016-03-22 Moda Center, Portland, OR
• 2016-03-17 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• 2016-02-18 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
• 2016-02-16 BB&T Center, Sunrise, FL
• 2016-02-02 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
• 2016-01-27 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2016-01-16 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
• 2014-02-23 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
• 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy
• 2008-04-22 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
• 1993-06-24 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1993-05-14 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
• 1992-12-13 Boston Garden, Boston, MA
• 1992-07-25 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1990-11-17 Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
• 1990-11-16 Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
• 1988-07-03 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
• 1988-05-23 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 1988-05-16 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 1988-04-28 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• 1988-04-23 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• 1988-03-28 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI

One of these recordings is also available on the playlist The Live Series: Songs Of Love (2019).

On The Tracks

IS THAT YOU? - V1		uncirculating
BRILLIANT DISGUISE - V2		uncirculating
BRILLIANT DISGUISE - V3	4:12	TUNNEL / GREATEST / ESSENTIAL / CHAPTER / BESTOF / 1987 single

Note: Released as a single ahead of the Tunnel Of Love album on September 17, 1987. Began life as "Is That You?", recorded February 5, 1987, but became "Brilliant Disguise" by the end of that month. Recorded at Springsteen's home studio in Rumson, New Jersey, with overdubs in April by Roy Bittan (keyboards), Danny Federici (organ) and Max Weinberg (percussion). The video was filmed on October 8, 1987 at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

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^{Studio Sessions: Tunnel Of Love}

Lyrics

Brilliant Disguise

I hold you in my arms as the band plays
What are those words whispered baby just as you turn away
I saw you last night out on the edge of town
I wanna read your mind to know just what I've got in this new thing I've found

So tell me what I see when I look in your eyes
Is that you baby or just a brilliant disguise

I heard somebody call your name from underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame underneath your pillow
Well I've tried so hard baby but I just can't see
What a woman like you is doing with me

So tell me who I see when I look in your eyes
Is that you baby or just a brilliant disguise

Now look at me baby, struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart oh when out go the lights
I'm just a lonely pilgrim, I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it's you I don't trust 'cause I damn sure don't trust myself

Now you play the loving woman, I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close into the palm of my hand
Well we stood at the alter, the gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours maybe baby the gypsy lied

So when you look at me you better look hard and look twice
Is that me baby or just a brilliant disguise

Tonight our bed is cold, I'm lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of

Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song.

Links

• MusicBrainz

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