Track 4 of Born In The U.S.A., 1984.
- Born In The U.S.A. (1984)
- Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar
- Roy Bittan: piano, synthesizer, backing vocals
- Clarence Clemons: saxophone, percussion, backing vocals
- Danny Federici: organ, glockenspiel
- Garry Tallent: bass, backing vocals
- Steven Van Zandt: guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
- Max Weinberg: drums, backing vocals
Performed live 400 times.
- 2023-03-05 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- 2021-10-20 Javits Center, New York City, NY
- 2018-11-05 Hulu Theater At Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
- 2017-09-30 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
- 2017-02-25 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2017-02-21 AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
- 2017-02-18 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
- 2017-02-11 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Australia
- 2017-02-09 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
- 2017-02-02 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- 2017-01-22 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
- 2017-01-12 White House, Washington, DC
- 2016-11-01 Theater At Madison Square Garden (The), New York City, NY
- 2016-09-07 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
- 2016-09-01 Nationals Park, Washington, DC
- 2016-08-30 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2016-08-23 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2016-07-28 Frognerparken, Oslo, Norway
- 2016-07-26 Granåsen Arena, Trondheim, Norway
- 2016-07-20 CASA Arena, Horsens, Denmark
- 2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, 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
- 2016-06-03 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
- 2016-03-06 Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO
- 2016-01-31 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- 2015-11-10 Theater At Madison Square Garden (The), New York City, NY
- 2014-11-05 Theater At Madison Square Garden (The), New York City, NY
- 2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
- 2014-04-06 Reunion Arena, Old Site, Dallas, TX
- 2014-03-01 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2014-02-22 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
- 2014-02-15 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- 2014-02-05 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
- 2014-02-01 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2014-01-29 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2013-09-21 Cidade Do Rock, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- 2013-09-18 Espaço Das Américas, São Paulo, Brazil
- 2013-09-12 Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile
- 2013-07-27 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, Ireland
- 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy
- 2013-07-03 Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- 2013-06-30 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, England
- 2013-06-29 Stade De France, Saint Denis, France
- 2013-06-03 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
- 2013-05-26 Olympiastadion, Munich, Germany
- 2013-05-11 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden
- 2013-04-30 Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway
- 2013-03-26 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
- 2013-03-22 Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia
- 2012-11-19 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
- 2012-11-08 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
- 2012-11-01 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
- 2012-10-27 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2012-10-23 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
- 2012-10-21 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON
- 2012-09-22 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2012-09-19 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2012-09-08 Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- 2012-09-02 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
- 2012-08-29 Vernon Downs Raceway, Vernon, NY
- 2012-08-26 Magnetic Hill, Moncton, NB
- 2012-08-24 Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
- 2012-08-18 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- 2012-08-15 Fenway Park, Boston, MA
- 2012-08-14 Fenway Park, Boston, MA
- 2012-07-27 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2012-07-24 Koengen, Bergen, Norway
- 2012-07-21 Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
- 2012-07-17 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
- 2012-07-14 Hyde Park, London, England (Evening)
- 2012-07-12 Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
- 2012-07-11 Synot Tip Arena, Prague, Czech Republic
- 2012-07-09 Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland
- 2012-07-07 Festivalpladsen, Roskilde, Denmark
- 2012-07-05 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 2012-06-24 Seaclose Park, Isle Of Wight, England
- 2012-06-21 Stadium Of Light, Sunderland, England
- 2012-06-19 Park & Suites Arena, Montpellier, France
- 2012-06-17 Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
- 2012-06-11 Stadio Nereo Rocco, Trieste, Italy
- 2012-06-10 Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
- 2012-06-07 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy
- 2012-06-02 Estadio Anoeta, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- 2012-05-30 Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
- 2012-05-27 Rheinenergiestadion, Cologne, Germany
- 2012-05-25 Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Germany
- 2012-05-18 Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
- 2012-05-15 Estadio De Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
- 2011-10-22 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
- 2011-01-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
- 2010-09-11 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
- 2010-05-22 Nokia Theater, New York City, NY
- 2009-11-17 Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY
- 2009-11-13 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 2009-10-25 Scottrade Center, St. Louis, MO
- 2009-10-20 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 2009-10-09 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2009-10-03 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2009-09-13 BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL
- 2009-08-22 Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA
- 2009-07-30 Estadio Municipal De Foietes, Benidorm, Spain
- 2009-07-26 Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain
- 2009-07-21 Stadio Olimpico, Turin, Italy
- 2009-07-14 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
- 2009-06-07 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 2009-04-08 Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- 2009-04-07 BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
- 2009-04-05 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
- 2009-04-03 Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ
- 2008-08-30 Roadhouse At The Lakefront (The), Milwaukee, WI
- 2008-08-24 Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO
- 2008-08-19 Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA
- 2008-07-27 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2008-07-20 Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
- 2008-07-08 Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
- 2008-07-05 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2008-06-29 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 2008-06-16 LTU Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
- 2008-06-14 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
- 2008-05-30 Emirates Stadium, London, England
- 2008-04-07 Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
- 2008-03-07 HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
- 2007-12-19 O2 Arena (The), London, England
- 2007-12-12 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium
- 2007-12-10 Globen, Stockholm, Sweden
- 2007-12-04 Oslo Spektrum, Oslo, Norway
- 2007-12-02 SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany
- 2007-11-25 Palacio De Deportes De Comunidad De Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- 2007-11-19 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
- 2007-11-18 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
- 2007-11-14 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2007-11-12 Verizon Center, Washington, DC
- 2007-11-11 Verizon Center, Washington, DC
- 2007-11-09 Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City, NY
- 2007-11-05 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 2007-11-02 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- 2007-10-30 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 2007-10-29 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- 2007-10-26 Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
- 2005-06-30 Keflavík International Airport, Keflavík, Iceland
- 2004-12-19 Harry's Roadhouse, Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
- 2003-08-13 U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
- 2003-08-06 PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2003-08-02 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
- 2003-07-24 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2003-06-21 Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2003-03-02 Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX
- 2002-11-04 Compaq Center, Houston, TX
- 2002-11-03 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
- 2002-10-07 HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
- 2002-10-04 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 2002-09-30 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- 2002-09-29 Fargodome, Fargo, ND
- 2000-05-03 Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON
- 2000-04-30 Firstar Center, Cincinnati, OH
- 2000-04-21 Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
- 2000-04-12 Nashville Arena, Nashville, TN
- 2000-04-03 Rose Garden, Portland, OR
- 2000-03-30 Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
- 2000-03-18 Pyramid Arena, Memphis, TN
- 2000-03-14 Alltel Arena, Little Rock, AR
- 2000-03-13 Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX
- 2000-03-10 National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL
- 2000-02-28 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
- 1999-11-29 Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- 1999-11-14 Gund Arena, Cleveland, OH
- 1999-11-10 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
- 1999-11-09 Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
- 1999-11-06 Fargodome, Fargo, ND
- 1999-10-28 Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
- 1999-10-25 Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
- 1999-10-18 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 1999-10-17 Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
- 1999-10-15 America West Arena, Phoenix, AZ
- 1999-09-28 United Center, Chicago, IL
- 1999-09-27 United Center, Chicago, IL
- 1999-09-24 First Union Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 1999-09-20 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
- 1999-09-15 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
- 1999-09-13 First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
- 1999-09-09 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 1999-09-08 Palace Of Auburn Hills (The), Auburn Hills, MI
- 1999-09-03 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-09-01 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-08-31 MCI Center, Washington, DC
- 1999-08-27 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-08-26 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-08-24 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-08-22 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-08-21 FleetCenter, Boston, MA
- 1999-08-12 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-11 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-09 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-07 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-06 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-04 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-02 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-08-01 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-29 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-26 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-24 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-20 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-18 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-07-15 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1999-06-27 Valle Hovin Stadion, Oslo, Norway
- 1999-06-26 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 1999-06-24 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1999-06-23 Stockholms Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden
- 1999-06-20 Gelredome, Arnhem, The Netherlands
- 1999-06-19 Gelredome, Arnhem, The Netherlands
- 1999-06-17 Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany
- 1999-06-15 Stadion Am Bieberer Berg, Offenbach, Germany
- 1999-06-13 Bruno-Plache-Stadion, Leipzig, Germany
- 1999-06-11 Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy
- 1999-06-07 Estadio De La Comunidad De Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- 1999-06-05 Estadio La Romareda, Zaragoza, Spain
- 1999-06-03 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 1999-06-02 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 1999-05-30 Parkbühne Wuhlheide, Berlin, Germany
- 1999-05-29 Parkbühne Wuhlheide, Berlin, Germany
- 1999-05-27 Flanders Expo, Ghent, Belgium
- 1999-05-25 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
- 1999-05-23 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-21 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-19 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-18 Earls Court, London, England
- 1999-05-16 NEC Arena, Birmingham, England
- 1999-05-02 Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, England
- 1999-05-01 Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, England
- 1999-04-28 Halle Tony Garnier, Lyon, France
- 1999-04-26 Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
- 1999-04-24 Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
- 1999-04-23 Donau Arena, Regensburg, Germany
- 1999-04-19 FilaForum, Milan, Italy
- 1999-04-17 PalaMalaguti, Bologna, Italy
- 1999-04-15 Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany
Performed multiple times during the following shows:
Released on Born In The U.S.A. (1984).
Live versions are released on Live/1975–85 (1986)/Live Collection II (EP, 1986) (recorded August 19, 1985) and ¡Released! The Human Rights Concerts: The Struggle Continues (Compilation, 2013) (recorded December 10, 1998).
Live versions are available on the following 54 official live downloads:
- 2023-03-05 Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, MN
- 2017-02-25 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2017-02-21 AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
- 2017-02-18 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
- 2017-02-11 Hanging Rock, Mt. Macedon, Australia
- 2017-02-09 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
- 2017-02-02 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- 2017-01-22 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
- 2016-09-07 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
- 2016-09-01 Nationals Park, Washington, DC
- 2016-08-30 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2016-08-23 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2016-07-28 Frognerparken, Oslo, Norway
- 2016-07-26 Granåsen Arena, Trondheim, Norway
- 2016-07-20 CASA Arena, Horsens, Denmark
- 2016-07-16 Circus Maximus, Rome, 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
- 2016-06-03 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
- 2016-03-06 Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, MO
- 2016-01-31 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- 2014-04-24 PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
- 2014-03-01 Mt. Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
- 2014-02-22 Hope Estate, Hunter Valley, Australia
- 2014-02-15 AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- 2014-02-05 Perth Arena, Perth, Australia
- 2014-02-01 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2014-01-29 Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town, South Africa
- 2013-07-11 Ippodromo Delle Capannelle, Rome, Italy
- 2012-09-22 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 2012-08-15 Fenway Park, Boston, MA
- 2012-07-05 Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy, Paris, France
- 2009-10-20 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
- 2007-11-19 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
- 1999-07-18 Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1997-05-18 Palais Des Congrès Acropolis, Nice, France
- 1996-11-24 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
- 1993-05-14 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany
- 1992-07-25 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
- 1985-09-27 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- 1985-08-22 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY - V1 | 3:25 | private |
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY - V2 | 3:18 | MI / THLRR / BUERM / TDB |
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY - V3 | 3:35 | private cdr |
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY - V4a | 3:09 | LM-19 / UH / GS |
WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY - V4b | 3:10 | BITUSA |
Note: Springsteen took the lyrics of January 1982's "Child Bride" and wrote an entirely new rock melody to create "Working On The Highway". V1 is a Colts Neck full band performance that appears to predate the "Child Bride" recording, since it has a completely different final verse from both "Child Bride" and the final studio take of "Working On The Highway". This song lacks the "We lit out down to Florida" verse entirely, and replaces it with the protagonist suggesting that he wants to see her father to say "my love is pure and true," but first he must "drop a two lane blacktop from here to Timbuktu." There are also a few minor lyrical elements closer to "Child Bride", for example parts of lines three and four are reversed, as they are in the Nebraska outtake. V2–V4 recorded at Power Station on April 30 and May 6, 1982.
Studio Sessions: Born In The U.S.A.
Working On The Highway |
Friday night's pay night guys fresh out of work
Talking about the weekend scrubbing off the dirt
Some heading home to their families, some are looking to get hurt
Some going down to Stovell wearing trouble on their shirts
I work for the county out on 95
All day I hold a red flag and watch the traffic pass me by
In my head I keep a picture of a pretty little miss
Someday mister I'm gonna lead a better life than this
Working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway
Woo!
I met her at a dance down at the union hall
She was standing with her brothers back up against the wall
Sometimes we'd go walking down the union tracks
One day I looked straight at her and she looked straight back
So I'm working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway
Woo!
I saved up my money and I put it all away
I went to see her daddy but we didn't have much to say
"Son can't you see that she's just a little girl
She don't know nothing about this cruel cruel world"
We lit out down to Florida and we got along all right
One day her brothers came and got her and they took me in a black and white
The prosecutor kept the promise that he made on that day
And the judge got mad and he put me straight away
I wake up every morning to the work bell clang
Me and the warden go swinging on the Charlotte County road gang
I'm working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway
Working on the highway laying down the blacktop
Working on the highway all day long I don't stop
Working on the highway blasting through the bedrock
Working on the highway, working on the highway
Woo woo woo woo
Woo woo woo
Woo woo woo woo
Alright! Come on!
Visit SpringsteenLyrics.com for other versions of this song. |
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