State Trooper by Bruce Springsteen

Album: Nebraska (1982)

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Songfacts®:

Springsteen recorded this in one take on a 4-track tape deck. He decided to keep the songs on Nebraska just as he recorded them, as he could not make them better with the band.
Springsteen thought this up while on a drive from New York.
This was featured in the closing credits of the first episode of the HBO series The Sopranos. Stevie Van Zandt, Springsteen's longtime pal and guitar player in the E Street Band, plays Silvio Dante on the show. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Kelly - Bristol, CT
The New Jersey Turnpike referenced in this song was also immortalized in Simon & Garfunkel's "America": "Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike". Bruce's hometown of Freehold is off Exit 8.

Comments: 10

Jake from BostonIn addition to the Suicide influence, there are a couple of nods to Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me” in this song. Totally different in terms of tempo and the listener’s perception of the narrator, but the “New Jersey Turnpike” and “wee, wee hours” lines are repeated, as is the imagery of running from the cops. “State Trooper” is like what might be going through the head of someone who listened to and once identified with “You Can’t Catch Me” before he reached the end of his rope.
Gus from Ny"But I got a clear conscience 'bout the things that I done". You just get the sense that this is a killer on the run.
Paul Mick from Delaware County PaLocal legend has it that 'State Trooper' may have been written at least in-part about the former head of the Pagans motorcycle club, Delco Chapter who is now in his seventies and has probably spent at least half of his life behind bars. Subsequently did his time, has been released. Apparently a NJ police officer was shot but recovered after one or a group of the Pagans were pulled over.
Craig from Peterborough, OnThe only thing I got ...been bothering me my whole life. Genius.
Sarah from Kennewick, WaThis song is awesomely moody & crazy...so much tension built up in one song...anyone else kinda feel like doing something...bad...when you listen to this?
Bob from Southfield, MiWhat I like about this song is the building tension within the driver/narrator of the song. You just know that if he is pulled over by a cop, it's gonna be the straw that broke the camel's back and all hell is gonna break loose. Listen to it in your car when you're out driving on a lonely country road some night and it'll really give you the creeps.
Lee from Chicago, IlBruce was always a big fan of punk/rockabilly/electro band SUICIDE, and has covered their songs during concerts. "State Trooper" is almost like an homage to SUICIDE in both style and dark subject matter.
Bob from Southern Tier, NyThis song is often referred to and played by Finn Andrews as part of The Veils in concert. Great tune.
Jameson from Lexington, KyThis was covered by the band Boiled In Lead, on their album, Antler Dance.
Ben from Nottingham, EnglandI cant get over the fact that no one else has commented on this! One of the best tracks from what is an amazing and powerful, yet so simply, album.

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