The Promised Land

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Track 6 of Darkness On The Edge Of Town, 1978. Most of it was written on August 20, 1977.

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Credits

• Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978)
  • Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Roy Bittan: piano
  • Clarence Clemons: saxophone
  • Danny Federici: organ
  • Garry Tallent: bass
  • Steven Van Zandt: guitar, backing vocals
  • Max Weinberg: drums

Performances

Performed live 1531 times (not including snippet performances). 1997-05-06 Austria Center Vienna, Vienna, Austria 1997-02-17 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1997-02-16 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1997-02-15 Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1997-02-12 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1997-02-11 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1997-02-10 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1997-02-08 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1997-02-07 Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1997-02-05 Concert Hall (The), QPAC, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 1997-02-04 Concert Hall (The), QPAC, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 1997-01-31 Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Forum Hall A, Tokyo, Japan 1997-01-30 Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Forum Hall A, Tokyo, Japan 1997-01-29 Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Forum Hall A, Tokyo, Japan 1997-01-27 Tōkyō Kokusai Fōramu, Forum Hall A, Tokyo, Japan 1996-12-14 Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC 1996-12-12 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN 1996-12-11 Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, OH 1996-12-10 Music Hall, Cincinnati, OH 1996-12-06 Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Concert Hall, Birmingham, AL 1996-12-05 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC 1996-12-03 Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise, FL 1996-12-02 Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise, FL 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ 1996-11-21 Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN 1996-11-20 Louisville Palace (The), Louisville, KY 1996-11-19 Ellis Auditorium, Memphis, TN 1996-11-14 Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA 1996-11-13 Landmark Theatre, Syracuse, NY 1996-11-12 Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY 1996-11-08 St. Rose Of Lima School, Gymnasium, Freehold, NJ 1996-10-29 Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA 1996-10-28 Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR 1996-10-27 Federal Building, Los Angeles, CA 1996-10-26 Event Center Arena, San Jose, CA 1996-10-25 Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara, CA 1996-10-23 William Saroyan Theatre, Fresno, CA 1996-10-22 San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA 1996-10-21 Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 1996-10-19 Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque, NM 1996-10-17 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO 1996-10-16 Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO 1996-10-15 Abravanel Hall, Salt Lake City, UT 1996-10-03 Northrop Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN 1996-10-02 Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI 1996-10-01 Braden Auditorium, Normal, IL 1996-09-26 Hill Auditorium, University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1996-09-25 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron, OH 1996-09-24 James W. Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo, MI 1996-09-19 Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI 1996-09-18 Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT 1996-09-16 Benedum Center For The Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA 1996-05-08 Palacio De Congresos Y Exposiciones, Madrid, Spain 1996-05-07 Teatro Tívoli, Barcelona, Spain 1996-05-06 Teatro Tívoli, Barcelona, Spain 1996-05-02 Zürich Kongresshaus, Zurich, Switzerland 1996-05-01 Palais Des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, Belgium 1996-04-30 Salle Erasme, Strasbourg, France 1996-04-27 Royal Albert Hall, London, England 1996-04-25 Brixton Academy, London, England 1996-04-24 Brixton Academy, London, England 1996-04-22 Royal Albert Hall, London, England 1996-04-20 Koningin Elisabethzaal, Antwerp, Belgium 1996-04-19 ICC Berlin, Saal 1, Berlin, Germany 1996-04-17 Royal Albert Hall, London, England 1996-04-16 Royal Albert Hall, London, England 1996-04-13 Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, Italy 1996-04-11 Teatro Smeraldo, Milan, Italy 1996-04-10 Auditorium Santa Cecilia, Rome, Italy 1996-03-20 Point Theatre (The), Dublin, Ireland 1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland 1996-03-16 Falkonersalen, Copenhagen, Denmark 1996-03-14 Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway 1996-03-13 Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden 1996-03-03 Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland 1996-03-02 City Hall, Newcastle, England 1996-02-29 Symphony Hall, Birmingham, England 1996-02-28 Apollo Theatre, Manchester, England 1996-02-26 Koninklijk Theater Carré, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 1996-02-22 Zénith De Paris (Le), Paris, France 1996-02-21 Zénith De Paris (Le), Paris, France 1996-02-17 Congress Centrum Hamburg, Halle 1, Hamburg, Germany 1996-02-14 Kulturpalast, Dresden, Germany 1996-01-23 Jesse H. Jones Hall For The Performing Arts, Houston, TX 1996-01-22 Saenger Performing Arts Center, New Orleans, LA 1996-01-18 Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 1996-01-17 Music Hall, Cleveland, OH 1996-01-16 Music Hall, Cleveland, OH 1996-01-12 Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown, OH 1996-01-11 Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI 1996-01-10 Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI 1996-01-08 Massey Hall, Toronto, ON 1996-01-07 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Montreal, QC 1995-12-17 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY 1995-12-16 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA 1993-04-07 Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland 1993-04-04 Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany 1993-03-23 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ 1988-10-15 Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina 1988-10-12 Parque Antártica, São Paulo, Brazil 1988-10-09 Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast 1988-10-07 National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe 1988-10-03 Olympiakó Stádio Athinon "Spyros Louis", Athens, Greece 1988-09-30 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India 1988-09-27 Tōkyō Dōmu, Tokyo, Japan 1988-09-23 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA 1988-09-21 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA 1988-09-19 John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia, PA 1988-09-17 Olympic Stadium, Montreal, QC 1988-09-15 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON 1988-09-13 Estadio Nacional De Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica 1988-09-10 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain 1988-09-08 Stadio Comunale, Turin, Italy 1988-09-06 Népstadion, Budapest, Hungary 1988-09-05 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France 1988-09-04 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France 1988-09-02 Wembley Stadium, London, England 1988-07-22 Waldbühne, West Berlin, West Germany 1988-07-19 Radrennbahn Weissensee, East Berlin, East Germany 1988-06-18 Château De Vincennes, Paris, France 1986-03-02 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ 1986-01-19 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ 1985-10-02 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA 1985-09-30 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA 1985-09-29 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA 1985-09-27 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA 1985-09-24 Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO 1985-09-23 Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO 1985-09-19 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA 1985-09-18 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CA 1985-09-14 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX 1985-09-13 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX 1985-09-10 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL 1985-09-09 Orange Bowl, Miami, FL 1985-09-06 Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, IN 1985-09-04 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, MI 1985-09-01 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-31 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-27 CNE Stadium, Toronto, ON 1985-08-26 CNE Stadium, Toronto, ON 1985-08-22 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-21 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-19 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-18 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ 1985-08-15 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA 1985-08-14 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA 1985-08-11 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA 1985-08-09 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 1985-08-07 Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH 1985-08-05 RFK Stadium, Washington, DC 1985-07-07 Roundhay Park, Leeds, England 1985-07-06 Wembley Stadium, London, England 1985-07-04 Wembley Stadium, London, England 1985-07-03 Wembley Stadium, London, England 1985-06-30 Parc De La Courneuve, Paris, France 1985-06-29 Parc De La Courneuve, Paris, France 1985-06-25 Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, France 1985-06-23 Stade Richter, Montpellier, France 1985-06-21 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy 1985-06-18 Olympiastadion, Munich, West Germany 1985-06-15 Waldstadion, Frankfurt, West Germany 1985-06-13 Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 1985-06-12 Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 1985-06-09 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden 1985-06-08 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden 1985-06-05 St. James' Park, Newcastle, England 1985-06-04 St. James' Park, Newcastle, England 1985-06-01 Slane Castle, Slane, Ireland 1985-04-23 Ōsaka-Jō Hōru, Osaka, Japan 1985-04-22 Ōsaka-Jō Hōru, Osaka, Japan 1985-04-19 Kyoto Furitsu Taiikukan, Kyoto, Japan 1985-04-16 Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō, Tokyo, Japan 1985-04-15 Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō, Tokyo, Japan 1985-04-13 Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō, Tokyo, Japan 1985-04-11 Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō, Tokyo, Japan 1985-04-10 Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyōgi-jō, Tokyo, Japan 1985-04-04 Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1985-04-03 Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1985-03-31 QE II Jubilee Sports Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 1985-03-28 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1985-03-27 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1985-03-24 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1985-03-23 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1985-03-21 Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 1985-01-27 Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY 1985-01-26 Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY 1985-01-24 Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI 1985-01-23 Providence Civic Center, Providence, RI 1985-01-19 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC 1985-01-18 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC 1985-01-16 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 1985-01-15 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 1985-01-13 Carolina Coliseum, Columbia, SC 1985-01-10 Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY 1985-01-08 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN 1985-01-07 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN 1985-01-05 Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, VA 1985-01-04 Hampton Roads Coliseum, Hampton, VA 1984-12-17 Omni (The), Atlanta, GA 1984-12-16 Omni (The), Atlanta, GA 1984-12-14 Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN 1984-12-13 Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN 1984-12-11 Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY 1984-12-09 Murphy Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 1984-12-07 Leon County Civic Center, Tallahassee, FL 1984-12-06 Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Arena, Birmingham, AL 1984-12-02 LSU Assembly Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 1984-11-30 Summit (The), Houston, TX 1984-11-29 Summit (The), Houston, TX 1984-11-26 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX 1984-11-25 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX 1984-11-23 Frank Erwin Center, University Of Texas, Austin, TX 1984-11-19 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, MO 1984-11-18 Bob Devaney Sports Center, University Of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 1984-11-16 Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 1984-11-15 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO 1984-11-12 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO 1984-11-11 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO 1984-11-08 ASU Activity Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 1984-11-04 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-11-02 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-31 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-29 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-28 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-26 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-25 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA 1984-10-22 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA 1984-10-21 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA 1984-10-19 Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA 1984-10-17 Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA 1984-10-15 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC 1984-09-25 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY 1984-09-24 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY 1984-09-22 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA 1984-09-21 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA 1984-09-18 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-17 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-15 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-14 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-12 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-11 Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 1984-09-08 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT 1984-09-07 Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT 1984-09-05 Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA 1984-09-04 Centrum In Worcester, Worcester, MA 1984-08-29 Capital Centre, Largo, MD 1984-08-28 Capital Centre, Largo, MD 1984-08-26 Capital Centre, Largo, MD 1984-08-25 Capital Centre, Largo, MD 1984-08-20 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ page 5 of 7« 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Performances broken down by tour (not including rehearsals and snippet performances) Performed at 114 show(s) of 130 on the 2023-25 International Tour. Performed at 266 show(s) of 266 on the Springsteen On Broadway run. Performed at 9 show(s) of 14 on the Summer '17 Tour. Performed at 46 show(s) of 75 on the The River Tour 2016. Performed at 11 show(s) of 33 on the High Hopes Tour. Performed at 58 show(s) of 133 on the Wrecking Ball Tour. Performed at 71 show(s) of 83 on the Working On A Dream Tour. Performed at 94 show(s) of 99 on the Magic Tour. Performed at 1 show(s) of 56 on The Seeger Sessions Tour. Performed at 72 show(s) of 72 on the Devils & Dust Tour. Performed at 6 show(s) of 7 on the Vote For Change Tour. Performed at 72 show(s) of 120 on The Rising Tour. Performed at 95 show(s) of 132 on The Reunion Tour. Performed at 106 show(s) of 128 on The Ghost Of Tom Joad Tour. Performed at 2 show(s) of 102 on the World Tour 1992-93. Performed at 19 show(s) of 20 on the Human Rights Now! Tour. Performed at 2 show(s) of 67 on the Tunnel Of Love Express Tour. Performed at 156 show(s) of 156 on the Born In The U.S.A. Tour. Performed at 138 show(s) of 138 on The River Tour. Performed at 109 show(s) of 111 on the Darkness On The Edge Of Town Tour. Performed at 63 known other show(s), plus 20 public tour rehearsal(s).

Snippets

^{Performed live 2 times as a snippet.}

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• 2009-10-30 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 1980-01-09 Fast Lane (The), Asbury Park, NJ

Multiples

Performed multiple times during the following shows:

• 2007-09-28 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY

Released on Album

Released on Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978), The Promised Land (Single, 1978), The Essential (2003), and Collection:1973–2012 (2013).

Live versions are released on Live/1975–85 (1986) (recorded September 30, 1985), Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Volume 5: 1998–1999 (Compilation, 2011)/The Best Of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame + Museum: Live (Compilation, 2011) (recorded March 15, 1999), Springsteen On Broadway (2018) (recorded July 17/18, 2018), Blinded By The Light (Soundtrack, 2019) (recorded November 11, 2014), and The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts (2021) (recorded September 22, 1979).

A live snippet is released on Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary Concerts (Compilation, 2010, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") (recorded October 30, 2009).

Released as Live Download

Live versions are available on the following 234 official live downloads:

• 2024-11-22 Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
• 2024-11-19 Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
• 2024-11-16 Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
• 2024-11-13 Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
• 2024-11-09 Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
• 2024-11-06 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• 2024-11-03 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• 2024-10-31 Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
• 2024-09-15 Beach, Surf Stage, Asbury Park, NJ
• 2024-09-13 Oriole Park At Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
• 2024-09-07 Nationals Park, Washington, DC
• 2024-08-23 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
• 2024-08-21 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
• 2024-08-18 PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2024-08-15 PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2024-07-27 Wembley Stadium, London, England
• 2024-07-25 Wembley Stadium, London, England
• 2024-07-21 Dokken, Bergen, Norway
• 2024-07-18 Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden
• 2024-07-15 Strawberry Arena, Solna, Sweden
• 2024-07-12 Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
• 2024-07-09 Odense Dyrskuepladsen, Odense, Denmark
• 2024-07-05 Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena, Hannover, Germany
• 2024-07-02 Werchter Park, Werchter, Belgium
• 2024-06-29 Goffertpark, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
• 2024-06-27 Goffertpark, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
• 2024-06-22 Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• 2024-06-20 Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• 2024-06-17 Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
• 2024-06-14 Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
• 2024-06-12 Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
• 2024-05-22 Stadium Of Light, Sunderland, England
• 2024-05-19 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
• 2024-05-16 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland
• 2024-05-12 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, Ireland
• 2024-05-09 Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast, Northern Ireland
• 2024-05-05 Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
• 2024-04-21 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
• 2024-04-18 JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY
• 2024-04-15 MVP Arena, Albany, NY
• 2024-04-12 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
• 2024-04-07 Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
• 2024-04-04 Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
• 2024-03-31 Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
• 2024-03-28 Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
• 2024-03-25 Pechanga Arena, San Diego, CA
• 2024-03-22 T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
• 2024-03-19 Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
• 2023-09-03 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2023-09-01 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2023-08-30 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2023-08-26 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
• 2023-08-24 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
• 2023-08-11 Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
• 2023-08-09 Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
• 2023-07-25 Autodromo Di Monza, Prato Della Gerascia, Monza, Italy
• 2023-07-23 Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany
• 2023-07-21 Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany
• 2023-07-18 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
• 2023-07-15 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany
• 2023-07-13 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2023-07-11 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2023-07-08 Hyde Park, London, England
• 2023-07-06 Hyde Park, London, England
• 2023-07-02 Voldsløkka Stadion, Oslo, Norway
• 2023-06-30 Voldsløkka Stadion, Oslo, Norway
• 2023-06-28 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2023-06-26 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2023-06-24 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2023-06-21 Merkur Spielarena, Düsseldorf, Germany
• 2023-06-18 Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium
• 2023-06-16 Villa Park, Birmingham, England
• 2023-06-13 Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
• 2023-06-11 Megaland, Landgraaf, The Netherlands
• 2023-05-30 BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
• 2023-05-27 Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2023-05-25 Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 2023-05-21 Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy
• 2023-05-18 Parco Urbano Giorgio Bassani, Ferrara, Italy
• 2023-05-15 Paris La Défense Arena, Nanterre, France
• 2023-05-13 Paris La Défense Arena, Nanterre, France
• 2023-05-09 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
• 2023-05-07 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
• 2023-05-05 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
• 2023-04-30 Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• 2023-04-28 Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
• 2023-04-14 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• 2023-04-11 UBS Arena, Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
• 2023-04-09 UBS Arena, Belmont Park, Elmont, NY
• 2023-04-07 CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD
• 2023-04-05 Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, OH
• 2023-04-03 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
• 2023-04-01 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2023-03-29 Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
• 2023-03-27 Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
• 2023-03-25 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
• 2023-03-23 KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
• 2023-03-20 TD Garden, Boston, MA
• 2023-03-18 Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA
• 2023-03-16 Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• 2023-03-07 fiserv.forum, Milwaukee, WI
• 2023-03-05 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
• 2023-03-02 Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• 2023-02-27 Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
• 2023-02-25 Moda Center, Portland, OR
• 2023-02-21 BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
• 2023-02-18 T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
• 2023-02-16 Moody Center, University Of Texas, Austin, TX
• 2023-02-14 Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• 2023-02-10 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• 2023-02-07 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, FL
• 2023-02-05 Amway Center, Orlando, FL
• 2023-02-03 State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
• 2023-02-01 Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
• 2017-02-25 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2017-02-21 AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
• 2017-02-18 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia
• 2017-02-16 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• 2017-02-11 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Victoria, Australia
• 2017-02-09 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• 2017-02-07 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• 2017-02-02 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• 2017-01-22 Perth Arena, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
• 2016-09-14 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
• 2016-09-11 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2016-09-09 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, 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
• 2016-08-28 United Center, Chicago, IL
• 2016-08-25 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2016-08-23 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 2016-07-31 Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
• 2016-07-28 Frognerparken, Oslo, Norway
• 2016-07-26 Granåsen Arena, Trondheim, Norway
• 2016-07-23 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2016-07-20 CASA Arena, Horsens, Denmark
• 2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy
• 2016-07-13 AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France
• 2016-07-09 Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium
• 2016-07-05 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
• 2016-07-03 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
• 2016-06-29 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway
• 2016-06-27 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2016-06-25 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
• 2016-06-22 Telia Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2016-06-19 Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
• 2016-06-17 Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany
• 2016-06-14 Malieveld, The Hague, The Netherlands
• 2016-06-05 Wembley Stadium, London, England
• 2016-06-03 Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England
• 2016-06-01 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
• 2016-05-29 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
• 2016-05-27 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
• 2016-05-25 Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
• 2016-05-21 Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
• 2016-05-19 Bela Vista Park, Lisbon, Portugal
• 2016-05-17 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
• 2016-05-14 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
• 2016-04-23 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
• 2016-04-18 Bryce Jordan Center, Penn State University, University Park, PA
• 2016-04-14 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
• 2016-04-05 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
• 2016-04-03 Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
• 2016-03-22 Moda Center, Portland, OR
• 2016-03-17 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• 2016-02-25 First Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY
• 2016-02-02 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
• 2016-01-29 Verizon Center, Washington, DC
• 2014-05-17 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
• 2014-05-14 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
• 2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
• 2014-04-22 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• 2014-04-17 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
• 2014-04-08 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH
• 2014-03-02 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
• 2014-02-19 AllPhones Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• 2014-02-12 Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
• 2014-01-28 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
• 2013-07-24 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
• 2012-07-04 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
• 2012-03-09 Apollo Theater, New York City, NY
• 2009-11-22 HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
• 2009-10-20 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
• 2009-10-14 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
• 2009-05-04 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 2008-08-21 Sommet Center, Nashville, TN
• 2008-04-28 Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
• 2008-04-23 Amway Arena, Orlando, FL
• 2008-04-22 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL
• 2008-03-20 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• 2005-11-22 Sovereign Bank Arena, Trenton, NJ
• 2005-08-13 Pontiac Theatre At GM Place, Vancouver, BC
• 2005-08-03 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
• 2005-07-31 Value City Theatre, Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
• 2005-06-25 Hovet, Stockholm, Sweden
• 2005-05-17 Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, PA
• 2003-06-16 Olympiastadion, Helsinki, Finland
• 2000-07-01 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2000-06-27 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 2000-05-22 Arrowhead Pond Of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
• 1999-10-23 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• 1999-09-30 United Center, Chicago, IL
• 1999-07-15 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1997-05-18 Palais Des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, France
• 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
• 1996-11-08 St. Rose Of Lima School, Gymnasium, Freehold, NJ
• 1996-09-25 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron, OH
• 1996-03-19 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
• 1985-09-27 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
• 1985-08-22 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1984-08-20 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1984-08-19 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1984-08-06 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1984-08-05 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1981-07-09 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
• 1981-06-05 Wembley Arena, London, England
• 1981-06-04 Wembley Arena, London, England
• 1980-12-31 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 1980-12-29 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 1980-12-28 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
• 1979-09-22 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 1979-09-21 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• 1978-12-16 Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
• 1978-12-15 Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
• 1978-12-08 Summit (The), Houston, TX
• 1978-10-01 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
• 1978-09-30 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
• 1978-09-21 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
• 1978-09-20 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
• 1978-09-19 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
• 1978-08-09 Agora (The), Cleveland, OH
• 1978-07-07 Roxy Theatre (The), West Hollywood, CA
• 1978-07-01 Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA

One of these recordings is also available on the playlists The Live Series: Songs Of Hope (2019), The Darkness Tour '78 (2023), The Reunion Tour '99 (2024), The Live Series: Songs Of Conscience (2024), and Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2024).

On The Tracks

THE PROMISED LAND - V1		uncirculating
THE PROMISED LAND - V2		uncirculating
THE PROMISED LAND - V3a	4:14	ODM / HOD / UP
THE PROMISED LAND - V3b	4:25	DARKNESS / ESSENTIAL / PROMISE: DELUXE

Note: One of the last songs written and recorded for the album, "The Promised Land" had its genesis in a short trip taken by Bruce, Steve Van Zandt, and photographer Eric Meola on August 17, 1977, two days after breaking from recording for a week. Their plan was to fly into Salt Lake City, Utah, rent a vintage American car, and drive to Reno, Nevada, by way of the Utah and Nevada wilderness. The fruits of their journey were "Rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert," "the dogs on Main Street howl because they understand" (based on real dogs howling on a Main Street), and Eric's photographs, which appeared throughout The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story box set. Upon returning, Bruce composed "The Promised Land", and introduced it to the band on September 30, 1977, with three takes attempted (including V1). Recording resumed on October 27 at the Record Plant with twenty takes (including V2, take 19, marked "long ending"). V3 (take 5) was completed on December 1 or 27, 1977, and pressed to metal acetate on April 12, 1978. V3a was the final version without the guitar solo. On or about May 10, Bruce decided a guitar intro was needed before Clarence Clemons's powerful sax solo. After Steve Van Zandt recorded it in New York, Side 2 was mastered for a second time, at The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles, which briefly delayed the album release to June 2.

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^{Studio Sessions: Darkness On the Edge of Town}

Lyrics

The Promised Land

On a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert
I pick up my money and head back into town
Driving cross the Waynesboro county line
I got the radio on and I'm just killing time
Working all day in my daddy's garage
Driving all night chasing some mirage
Pretty soon little girl I'm gonna take charge

The dogs on Main Street howl
'cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

I've done my best to live the right way
I get up every morning and go to work each day
But your eyes go blind and your blood runs cold
Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode
Explode and tear this whole town apart
Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart
Find somebody itching for something to start

The dogs on Main Street howl
'cause they understand
If I could reach one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land

Hmm
Hmmm
Hmmmm

Well there's a dark cloud rising from the desert floor
I packed my bags and I'm heading straight into the storm
Gonna be a twister to blow everything down
That ain't got the faith to stand its ground
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

Well the dogs on Main Street howl
'cause they understand
If I could take one moment into my hands
Mister I ain't a boy, no I'm a man
And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land
And I believe in a promised land

Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song.

Media

Links

• Article

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• MusicBrainz

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