Growin' Up

Album: Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. (1973)
Play Video
  • Well, I stood stone-like at midnight
    Suspended in my masquerade
    And I combed my hair, it was just right
    And commanded the night brigade
    I was open to pain and crossed by the rain
    And I walked on a crooked crutch
    I strolled all alone through a fallout zone
    And came out with my soul untouched
    I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
    But when they said, "Sit down" I stood up
    Ooh, growin' up

    The flag of piracy flew from my mast
    My sails were set wing to wing
    I had a jukebox graduate for a first mate
    She couldn't sail but she sure could sing
    And I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues
    With my gear set stubborn on standing
    I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school
    Never once gave thought to landing
    I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
    But when they said, "Come down" I threw up
    Ooh, growin' up

    Work it back now

    I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
    And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
    I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
    I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
    But my feet they finally took root in the earth
    But I got me a nice little place in the stars
    And I swear I found the key to the universe
    In the engine of an old parked car
    I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
    When they said, "Pull down" I pulled up
    Ooh, growin' up
    Ooh, growin' up Writer/s: Bruce Springsteen
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Simen from Brumunddal, NorwayWhen I hear this song, I get that Freehold/Asbury Park spirit, and how it was to live there in the 50s, 60s & 70s! With the shore, boardwalks, bars, clubs, old houses with all those porches, rock bands, everything about Springsteen's childhood! I'm lucky enough to go there in April 2013 :-)
  • Simen from Brumunddal, NorwayOne of my favorites from Bruce! I was surprised when I heard this one on "Big Daddy."
  • Jill from Decatur, GaThis song was also used in the 2007 film "Gracie" which was inspired by the experiences of the Shue family (actors Elisabeth and Andrew)in 1970s New Jersey.
  • Kyle from Belleville, CanadaI love the stories Bruce tells during this.
  • Scott from London, Englandi think in these lyrics, Bruce has made the mistake of admitting to his old teachers that it was him all along, the gruff voiced guitar player, who that day got in a fighter plane and machine gunned down the school. They'd always assumed it was bad boy billy bob jones
  • Kimberly from Asbury Park, Njeddie vedder covered this song at the pearl jam show july 14, 2003 at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
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.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.