Working on the Highway
Bruce Springsteen
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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 looking to get hurt Some going down to Stovell wearing trouble on their shirts I work for the county out on ninety five 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 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, 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, ooo ooo ooo
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Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Appearance"Working on the Highway" is a track from Bruce Springsteen's seventh studio album, "Born in the U.S.A.," which was released in 1984.
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Chart PerformanceEven though it was not released as a single, "Working on the Highway" frequently features on Springsteen's live performances and compilations.
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Song EvolutionInitially, Springsteen wrote the song as "Child Bride." However, during the recording sessions for the "Born in the U.S.A." album, it evolved into "Working on the Highway."
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StorylineThe song tells the story of a construction worker who falls into unrequited love with a young girl. This relationship leads to him being arrested, turning the song into a tale of doomed love.
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Musical Style"Working on the Highway" deviates from most of Springsteen's rock n roll style, with influences of folk music. It's one of the few Springsteen songs to feature him with a ukulele.
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Live PerformancesOne of this song's most notable performances was during the E Street Band's reunion tour in 2000, and it continues to be a regular in Springsteen's live sets.
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ControversySome listeners found the song's original draft, "Child Bride," controversial due to its narrative about an inappropriate relationship with a minor. However, the revised version made the storyline less ambiguous.
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E Street BandThe fan-favorite E Street Band, which often accompanies Springsteen, played on "Working on the Highways," particularly Max Weinberg on drums and Garry Tallent on bass.
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InspirationsSpringsteen reportedly based "Working on the Highway" on other rock songs about work, which is an often-visited theme in his discography.
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Album Success"Born in the U.S.A.," the album housing "Working on the Highway," was a significant commercial success. As of 2012, the album has been certified 15x platinum in the U.S by the Recording Industry Association of America.
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Citation
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"Working on the Highway Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/300212/Bruce+Springsteen/Working+on+the+Highway>.
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