57 Channels (And Nothin' On)

Album: Human Touch (1992)
Charted: 32 68
Play Video
  • I bought a bourgeois house in the Hollywood hills
    With a truckload of hundred thousand dollar bills
    Man came by to hook up my cable TV
    We settled in for the night my baby and me
    We switched 'round and 'round 'til half-past dawn
    There was fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
    Well now home entertainment was my baby's wish
    So I hopped into town for a satellite dish
    I tied it to the top of my Japanese car
    I came home and I pointed it out into the stars
    A message came back from the great beyond
    There's fifty-seven channels and nothin' on
    Well we might'a made some friends with some billionaires
    We might'a got all nice and friendly if we'd made it upstairs
    All I got was a note that said "bye-bye John
    Our love is fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
    So I bought a .44 magnum it was solid steel cast
    And in the blessed name of Elvis well I just let it blast
    'Til my TV lay in pieces there at my feet
    And they busted me for disturbing the almighty peace
    Judge said "What you got in your defense son?"
    "Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on"
    I can see by your eyes friend you're just about gone
    Fifty-seven channels and nothin' on Writer/s: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 9th 1992, Bruce Springsteen performed* "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)" on the NBC-TV program 'Saturday Night Live'; it also marked his network television debut...
    One month later on June 14th "57 Channels" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at #78; then for the next three weeks it was at #68 and that was also its peak position the Top 100, it spent a total of 6 weeks on the chart...
    At the time of his 'SNL' appearance he had two albums on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart; "Human Touch" at #12 and "Lucky Town" was at #23...
    * He also performed "Lucky Town" and "Living Proof"; Tom Hanks was the 'SNL' guest host that night.
  • Crazyc63312 from Pittsburgh, PaThis song BEATS ANY OTHER SONG ON THE ALBUM! (It's the only song from the album ive headrd! LOL!!)
  • Bill from Martinsville, NjAmazing! 16 years later and I have 570 channels and there is STILL nothing on!
  • Mark from Worcester, MiBruce sometimes tells the story from stage of trying to visit Elvis. He drops the mention that "it was a stupid idea cuz I hate it when people do that at my house!" Bruce is funny from stage. A raconteur in his own right. A total ham.
  • Jamie from Limerick, IrelandI was recently at a enda kenney(leader of fine gael) and out of nowhere he quoted this song
  • Spencer from Norristown, Paone of my favorite songs on the Human Touch album. I really seem to enjoy bass heavy songs that the boss has been known to record.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.