Into The Fire

Album: The Rising (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Springsteen wrote this after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. This song is dedicated to the 343 firefighters we lost that day. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    cookie - greasy lake, NJ
  • The Rising was Springsteen's first studio album in 7 years, and his first in 18 years with the E Street band. Much of the album deals with his reaction to the terrorist attacks. The album was well-received, earning a Grammy for Best Rock Album and selling better than any of his albums since Tunnel Of Love in 1987. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 6

  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesI always saw this as being about a woman firefighter, and the song's narrator is her husband or lover.
  • Joe from St. Marys, PaA great song that is performed much better LIVE than recorded. Very moving and beautifully written. May your strength gives us strength...faith gives us faith...hope gives us hope... Very well said!
  • Gene from San Diego, CaI love the visual imagery throughout the song. I made this into a music video for my video productions class last year, in the 9th grade. I keep meaning to put it on YouTube... Really, though, great song.
  • Pat from Albuquerque, NmThis song gives me goosebumps more than any other song about 9/11, even "The Rising." The song is like a prayer for and to the fallen.
    A friend of mine lives in a Brooklyn neighborhood where a lot of firemen live. He knew a lot of the ones who died. 9/11 still haunts him and a lot of other New Yorkers.
  • Matt from Wilkes-barre, PaShortly after 9-11, someone saw Springsteen near his Rumson, N.J. mansion and told him, "We need you." That comment inspired him to write songs for "The Rising." Bruce said that on a clear day he was able to see the Twin Towers from his neighborhood. All I can think of when I hear this song is the NYC firefighters climbing up the World Trade Center steps.
  • Sam from Thompsons, TxI love this song. It's ...a good song. Thats my comment. Um... and the whole album, The Rising, is good.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"

Ian Anderson: "The delight in making music is that you don't have a formula"Songwriter Interviews

Ian talks about his 3 or 4 blatant attempts to write a pop song, and also the ones he most connected with, including "Locomotive Breath."