Incident On 57th Street

---

Track 5 of The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, 1973.

---

Credits

• The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973)
  • Bruce Springsteen: vocals, electric guitar
  • Danny Federici: piano (second), organ[?]
  • Suki Lahav: choir vocals
  • Vini Lopez: drums
  • David Sancious: piano, organ[?]
  • Garry Tallent: bass

Performances

Performed live 151 times (not including snippet performances). 2017-01-22 Perth Arena, Perth, Western Australia, Australia 2016-09-14 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA 2016-09-11 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA 2016-09-07 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA 2016-09-05 Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA 2016-09-01 Nationals Park, Washington, DC 2016-08-30 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2016-07-11 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France 2016-05-29 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland 2014-05-22 Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Pittsburgh, PA 2014-02-26 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy 2013-03-31 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Victoria, Australia 2013-03-16 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 2012-12-06 Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ 2012-11-17 Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO 2012-10-25 XL Center, Hartford, CT 2012-09-21 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2012-08-24 Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON 2012-07-05 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France 2012-04-12 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI 2012-01-14 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ 2011-11-04 Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Pittsburgh, PA 2009-11-07 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY 2009-09-21 Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines, IA 2009-07-14 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 2009-05-23 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ 2008-07-31 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 2008-07-15 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain 2008-06-21 HSH Nordbank Arena, Hamburg, Germany 2008-04-05 HP Pavilion At San Jose, San Jose, CA 2008-03-24 Value City Arena, Columbus, OH 2008-03-10 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY 2007-11-28 DatchForum, Milan, Italy 2007-11-02 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN 2007-10-15 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 2007-10-10 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ 2007-10-06 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA 2005-11-08 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 2005-10-24 Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA 2005-10-15 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI 2005-10-07 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT 2005-07-23 Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 2005-06-23 Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden 2005-06-22 Forum København, Copenhagen, Denmark 2005-06-16 Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany 2005-06-06 PalaLottomatica, Rome, Italy 2005-05-17 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA 2005-05-15 Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 2005-05-11 Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, IL 2005-05-02 Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, CA 2003-09-18 Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT 2003-08-11 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA 2003-06-25 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria 2003-05-06 Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2003-04-19 Bell Centre, Montreal, QC 2003-04-14 Skyreach Centre, Edmonton, AB 2002-11-24 Ice Palace, Tampa, FL 2002-11-16 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC 2002-11-03 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 2002-10-27 Wembley Arena, London, England 2002-10-24 Globen, Stockholm, Sweden 2002-10-20 Velodrom, Berlin, Germany 2002-10-16 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain 2002-10-06 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA 2002-09-24 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO 2001-12-08 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ 2001-12-07 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ 2000-06-22 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY 2000-05-04 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 1999-10-23 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 1999-09-25 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA 1980-12-29 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY 1978-10-01 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 1978-09-25 Boston Garden, Boston, MA 1978-09-21 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ 1978-09-20 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ 1978-09-17 Palladium, New York City, NY 1978-09-16 Palladium, New York City, NY 1977-03-25 Music Hall, Boston, MA 1977-03-24 Music Hall, Boston, MA 1977-03-23 Music Hall, Boston, MA 1977-02-25 Edward C. Elliott Hall Of Music, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 1976-10-27 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1976-04-29 Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN 1976-04-26 Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga, TN 1976-04-22 Burruss Auditorium, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA 1976-04-17 Louis A. Alexander Palestra, University Of Rochester, Rochester, NY 1976-04-15 Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA 1976-04-13 Rec Hall, Penn State University, University Park, PA 1976-04-10 Paul Mellon Arts Center, Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT 1976-04-09 Reid Athletic Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 1976-04-08 Allen Theatre, Cleveland, OH 1976-04-07 Allen Theatre, Cleveland, OH 1976-04-05 Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH 1975-10-11 Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ (Late) 1975-09-21 Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, MN 1975-09-20 Darby Gymnasium, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 1975-09-16 Dallas Convention Center Theater, Dallas, TX 1975-09-14 Houston Music Hall, Houston, TX 1975-09-13 Houston Music Hall, Houston, TX 1975-09-12 Municipal Auditorium, Austin, TX 1975-09-06 Theatre Of Performing Arts, New Orleans, LA 1975-08-10 Allen Theatre, Cleveland, OH 1975-08-08 Akron Civic Theatre, Akron, OH 1975-08-02 Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, VA 1975-08-01 Mosque (The), Richmond, VA 1975-07-30 Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC 1975-07-28 Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, DC 1975-07-26 Keystone Hall, Kutztown State College, Kutztown, PA 1975-07-25 Keystone Hall, Kutztown State College, Kutztown, PA 1975-07-22 Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY 1975-07-20 Palace Concert Theater, Providence, RI 1975-03-09 DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC 1975-03-08 DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, DC 1975-03-07 Painters Mill Music Fair, Owings Mills, MD 1975-02-23 Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY 1975-02-20 Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh, PA 1975-02-19 University Auditorium, Penn State University, University Park, PA 1975-02-18 John Carroll Gym, John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH 1975-02-06 Widener Field House, Widener College, Chester, PA 1975-02-05 Main Point (The), Bryn Mawr, PA 1974-12-08 Burlington Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, VT 1974-12-07 Geneva Theatre, Geneva, NY 1974-12-06 State Theatre, New Brunswick, NJ 1974-11-29 War Memorial, Trenton, NJ 1974-11-23 Mainstage Auditorium, Salem State College, Salem, MA 1974-11-22 Hollinger Field House, West Chester College, West Chester, PA 1974-11-17 Memorial Gymnasium, University Of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 1974-11-16 Leonard Gym, American University, Washington, DC 1974-11-08 Ritz Music Hall, Corpus Christi, TX 1974-11-01 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA 1974-10-29 Music Hall, Boston, MA 1974-10-26 Julia Sanderson Theater, Springfield, MA 1974-10-25 Spaulding Auditorium, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (Late) 1974-10-20 Dining Hall, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 1974-10-19 Memorial Chapel Concert Hall, Union College, Schenectady, NY 1974-10-18 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ 1974-10-12 Alexander Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ (Late) 1974-10-11 Shady Grove Music Fair, Gaithersburg, MD 1974-10-06 Atwood Hall, Clark University, Worcester, MA 1974-10-05 Bollman Center, Albright College, Reading, PA 1974-10-04 Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City, NY 1974-09-21 Hunt Union Ballroom, State University Of New York, Oneonta, NY 1974-09-20 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA 1974-08-14 Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ (Late) 1974-08-03 Wollman Skating Rink Theater (The), Central Park, New York City, NY 1974-07-30 Troubadour (The), West Hollywood, CA 1974-07-28 Tucson Community Center Theater, Tucson, AZ 1974-03-03 Gaston Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (Early) 1974-01-29 Muther's Music Emporium, Nashville, TN

Performances broken down by tour (not including rehearsals and snippet performances) Performed at 0 show(s) of 130 on the 2023-25 International Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 266 on the Springsteen On Broadway run. Performed at 1 show(s) of 14 on the Summer '17 Tour. Performed at 8 show(s) of 75 on the The River Tour 2016. Performed at 1 show(s) of 33 on the High Hopes Tour. Performed at 10 show(s) of 133 on the Wrecking Ball Tour. Performed at 4 show(s) of 83 on the Working On A Dream Tour. Performed at 11 show(s) of 99 on the Magic Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 56 on The Seeger Sessions Tour. Performed at 13 show(s) of 72 on the Devils & Dust Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 7 on the Vote For Change Tour. Performed at 15 show(s) of 120 on The Rising Tour. Performed at 4 show(s) of 132 on The Reunion Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 127 on The Ghost Of Tom Joad Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 102 on the World Tour 1992-93. Performed at 0 show(s) of 20 on the Human Rights Now! Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 67 on the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour. Performed at 0 show(s) of 156 on the Born In The U.S.A. Tour. Performed at 1 show(s) of 138 on The River Tour. Performed at 6 show(s) of 111 on the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour. Performed at 5 show(s) of 54 on The Lawsuit Tour. Performed at 29 show(s) of 116 on the Born To Run Tour. Performed at 38 show(s) of 201 on The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle Tour. Performed at 5 known other show(s), plus 0 public tour rehearsal(s).

Snippets

^{Performed live 1 times as a snippet.}

---

• 2003-02-19 Somerville Theatre, Somerville, MA

Released on Album

Released on The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (1973).

A live version is released on Live Collection (EP, 1986)/Fire (Single, 1987) (recorded December 29, 1980).

Released as Live Download

Live versions are available on the following 20 official live downloads:

• 2017-01-22 Perth Arena, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
• 2016-09-14 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
• 2016-09-11 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2016-09-07 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
• 2016-09-05 Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
• 2016-09-01 Nationals Park, Washington, DC
• 2016-08-30 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2016-07-11 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France
• 2016-05-29 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
• 2014-02-26 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy
• 2012-07-05 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
• 2009-11-07 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2005-05-17 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
• 1999-10-23 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• 1999-09-25 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
• 1980-12-29 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 1978-10-01 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
• 1978-09-21 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
• 1978-09-20 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ

One of these recordings is also available on the playlists The Live Series Collection: Songs Of The Road (2018), The Live Series: Songs From Around The World (2019), The Live Series: Songs On Keys (2023), and The Reunion Tour '99 (2024).

On The Tracks

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET

7:46

WIESS

Note: Side two of The Wild, The Innocent opens with "Incident on 57th Street", then a piano segue into "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)". "Incident On 57th Street" was composed in 1973, with an early title, "Incident On the W. Side". Strangely, for such a complex song there are no bootleg recordings in circulation. It was the last song on the album to be recorded, on September 22 and 23, 1973, the latter Springsteen's 24th birthday, the final days of sessions.

---

^{Studio Sessions: The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle}

Lyrics

Incident On 57th Street

Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night
With bruised arms and broken rhythm in a beat-up old Buick but dressed just like dynamite
He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on Easy Street
But they sighed, "Johnny, it falls apart so easy and you know hearts these days are cheap"
And the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a cheater"
Well, the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a liar"
And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice
Said, "Johnny, don't cry"
Puerto Rican Jane, oh, won't you tell me what's your name
I want to drive you down to the other side of town
Where paradise ain't so crowded, there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight
All them golden heeled fairies in a real bitch fight pull thirty-eights and kiss the girls goodnight

Oh, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe

Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, ah, she looked so fine
And like a late Juliet she knew he'd never be true, but then she didn't really mind
Upstairs a band was playin', the singer was singin' something about going home
She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight, but just don't leave me alone"
And Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down the cops have found the vein"
Well, them barefoot boys, they left their homes for the woods
Them little barefoot street boys, they said homes ain't no good
They left the corners, threw away all of their switchblade knives
And kissed each other goodbye

Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape watchin' the kids playin' down in the street
He called down, "Hey, little heroes, summer's long, but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore"
Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat; Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on
And the sister prays for lost souls, then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone
Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on
She says, "Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), all they ever want to do is fight"
Those romantic young boys (those romantic young boys), they're callin' through the window:
"Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?"
And Johnny whispered, "Goodnight, it's all tight, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
We may find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe"
Oh, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
Ah, we can find it out on the street tonight, baby
Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe
Ah, goodnight, it's all right, Jane
I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane
Now we may find it out on, on the street tonight, baby
Or we may have to walk until the morning light, maybe
(Goodnight, it's all right, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's all right, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's all right, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's all right, Jane)
(Goodnight, it's all)

Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song.

Media

Gallery

^{Graph accurate to the end of the Wrecking Ball Tour, October 2013.}

Links

• MusicBrainz

---

Disclaimer | © 1996 - 2025 | Brucebase