Death to My Hometown

Bruce Springsteen

About Death to My Hometown

"Death to My Hometown" is a song written and recorded by American musician Bruce Springsteen and was the third single from his album, Wrecking Ball. It is a protest song, as well a prominent example of Springsteen's experimentation with Celtic rock rhythms. A music video for the song was released through Springsteen's website on April 13, 2012, and was compiled from live performances and rehearsals at the Apollo Theater, Atlanta, and SXSW featuring Tom Morello.


Year:
2012
3:28
468 

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Oh, no cannonballs did fly, no rifles cut us down
No bombs fell from the sky, no blood soaked the ground
No powder flash blinded the eye, no deathly thunder sound
But just as sure as the hand of God, they brought death to my hometown
They brought death to my hometown
No shells ripped the evening sky, no cities burning down
No armies stormed the shores for which we’d die
No dictators were crowned
I awoke from a quite night, I never heard a sound
Marauders raided in the dark and brought death to my hometown, buys
Death to my hometown

They destroyed our families’ factories and they took our homes
They left our bodies on the plains, the vultures picked our bones

So listen up, my sonny boy, be ready for when they come
For they’ll be returning sure as the rising sun
Now get yourself a song to sing and sing it ’til you’re done
Yeah, sing it hard and sing it well
Send the robber barons straight to hell
The greedy thieves who came around
And ate the flesh of everything they found
Whose crimes have gone unpunished now
Who walk the streets as free men now

Ah, they brought death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, boys
Death to our hometown, whoa!

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Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen (born September 23, 1949), nicknamed "The Boss", is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who records and tours with the E Street Band. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of heartland rock, poetic lyrics, Americana sentiments centered on his native New Jersey and his lengthy and energetic stage performances, with concerts from the 1970s to the present decade running up to an uninterrupted 250 minutes in length. more »

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Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Artist
"Death to My Hometown" is a song by Bruce Springsteen, an American singer, songwriter, and musician.
Album
The song is from Springsteen's seventeenth studio album, "Wrecking Ball", which was released in 2012.
Genre
The song merges folk, gospel, and rock elements showcasing Springsteen's signature style. It features an uplifting, anthemic chorus typical of his music.
Lyrics theme
The song's lyrics are a scathing indictment of corporate greed and the economic inequality it fosters, depicting the decimation of an American small town. It calls out the economic "robber barons" who caused the 2008 financial crisis.
Musical Arrangement
"Death to My Hometown" is characterized by its thick, heavy percussion and the distinct sound of a tin whistle providing an Irish ballad flavor.
Grammy Nomination
In 2013, the song received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance.
Performances
The song has been performed numerous times during Springsteen's live concerts, and it has become a fan favorite because of its socio-political commentary.
Collaboration
The studio version of the song features Irish band The Sessions Band.
Music Video
Its official music video, released in 2012, showcases live concert footage interspersed with scenes of working-class Americans.
Influence
Springsteen has said that the song was influenced by folk musicians like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, who often wrote songs about the struggles of the working class.
Acclaim
The song is often cited as one of the highlights of the "Wrecking Ball" album, receiving positive reviews from critics for its powerful lyrics and energetic, compelling musical arrangement.
Political Undertones
Similar to many of Springsteen's songs, "Death to My Hometown" carries political undertones, speaking directly to the socio-economic climate in the United States at the time of its release. This makes Springsteen's music not just a source of entertainment but also a social commentary.

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